The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-18
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. e.
THE COAL TRADE.


The Union Of the BitumInous and Anthracito
Goal NIIners-Further Trouble Ahead-The
RitumInous Trado-The Coal Question In the
ISgisIaturo-The Complete rOnnRGe for the
Week, Etc.
Alta meeting of representatives from the an
thracite and bitnminous coal fields of Pennsyl-
yania, which commenced yesterday at Johns
town, union of the trade associations of the two
regions was effected. This end has been looked
forward to for some time by the anthracite
miners, but what the meaning of it is remains
to be seen. II Ii be only an enlargement of the
jurisdiction of the w. b. A, the bituminous
miners uniting in fellowship under condi-
tions the public can afford to let the action go
unrebuked for the present, awaiting the
time when trouble is occasioned by the coalition
to raise cry against it, But If the union has
been formed with the understanding that the
immense bituminous coal fields are to be gov
erned by the same corrupt form of government
and under the same conditions as the anthracite,
then 1t is now time to expose the move, and In
every possible way hold up the members OF both
associations to the strongest condemnation OF
the people. From the rumors at present in cir
culation the latter appears to be the end In
view, and 1t is reported that the 6itumi-
nous miners are soon to mite unite IN IN
producing a complete famine of all kinds of
fuel. While this is not so frightful as 1t seems,
because we cannot believe that any considerable
number of the innumerable Western miners will
be such fools as to cut off their own heads for
the benefit of their far-distant and unknown
Eastern brethren, for which act of self-sacrifce
they would not receive the slightest return in
any way, yet the bare possibility OF such thing
demands the most earnest and decisive action.
A mere peaceable combination of all miners
for their own mutual interests can be
borne, but when it comes to an immense
union for the express sinister purpose of de-
privipg the consumer entirely of a necessary of
life as important as daily bread, or at the best,
the dolng out of the commodity in quantities
and at prices most agreeable to those in the
r1ninn hn11ld not hQ cnh M ad tn tan
The anthracite union Is bad enough so bad, in
fact, that its utter ruin would be the best thing
that could happen, both to its members and TO
all who have ever had anything to DO with it,
But the formation of a more extended absolute
monarchy, under our very eyes, and under the
protection of a republican government should
be opposed at every point and in every possible
way, by every pan who has the best interests of
the country at heart If we let these things go
on, the final act will be not only bloodshed, but
bloody war itself, for questions concerning the
necessaries of life affect every one, and when
brought to an issue, those wronged will bear no
trifing.
The bituminous trade is largely increasing by
reason of the strike, and the leaders see that
they can do nothing unless this also is stopped.
In the event of their move being unsuccessful,
the only effect of the heightened suspension will
be great reduction in the demand and the an
Inhalation of the natural rate of increase in the
production for some time to come.
Many iron furnaces and manufactures are
being altered so as to burn btuminous, though
the anthracite is preferred, and this change once
made will not be altered again in hurry. Many
other consumers, ALSO who can use either anthra-
cite or bituminous, declare their intention of
using only the less desirable of the two fuels until
there is some assurance that the anthracite trade
is on a much surer basis. The Pennsylvania
Road is now bringing large quantities of btu
mlnous direct from the Western fields, and semi
bituminous from Baltimore and Western Mary
land is coming in fast by all the routes.
The Senate Committee of the State Legislature
on the coal troubles is busy taking testimony in
the matter. 1t is however, only prolonga-
tion of the trouble to submit it to such arbiters
as these. They will not make report for some
time and when they do, bill, if any is prepared,
will be delayed before being presented. Then
it will be considered in the House, where it will
probably be passed as a sort of sop to Cerberus,
but when it comes to the Senate it will be surely
killed and the miners will have all their trouble
for nothing.
The principal railroad companies cannot be
touched, at all events, because they have not
transgressed their charters, and If they had they
are by far the most powerful with legislature,
men. As it is, they have fully as many of their
agents in Harrisburg now as have the miners,
so as to save unnecessary trouble. Both parties
during the week have been busily besieging the
members of the committee. Arbitration between
the parties concerned themselves, without refer.
ence to any legal or judicial body, which is the
shortest mode of settlement, hangs fire as ye
from want of action by the miners.
The following is the complete summary o.
the trade for the past week as reported for the
Pottsville Miners 10 arnal of to-day