The New York herald., 1871-01-14
The Suspension Movement and COnven-
!, ).
sa ton Of Operators.
"A Prominent Coal Operator
Interviewed.
Perambulating Societies Of
Know NOthings.
Av0NDALE RELIEF FUND.
EMPIRE MINES, NEAR wrLKEsBARRE, 1
Inn 10 1871

HOW SUSPENSION IS WORKING.
The suspension movement is the prevailing bust
ness disease In this quarter and has completely
prostrated all industrial pursuits. People who
nsed to shave three times week have begun to re-
txench their expenses, ana surprising to see the
pumber Of chins which now bear the blacK brown,
fswny-colored and uncertainty mixed hued hirsute
psubble OF weeks growth. Everybody is .'taking
in" here and there In order to 'ssave;" and
Aven BARRIERS and bootblacks suffer In the uni
gersa depression incident to the non-production OF
coal. The fact is, wyoming valley, rich in geo.
graphical beauties and renowned In historical Incl
dents, is help!essly dependent upon her carbona-
ceous deposit, and the people who inhabit the
terrestrial paradise are humbled 10 the dust when
1hey fail to draw from the bowels Of the earth the
means Of subsistence. People hereabouts rely upon
the coal production for their very existence, and
whenever anything seriously @interieres with
that particular branch OF industry all
business stops, or Is so paralyzed that
p whole population is idle and complaining. II geo.
graphical beauty could be transformed into good
breakfast, historical reminiscence be converted
Into palatable dinner, the denizens Of this locality
,neht claim that they "living the fat or the
aand' but the stoppage OF mining reduces all to the
consideration OF really living and deprves all classes
OF the means OF living at all, except such as are
brought from outside the valley limits The
top or the earth in this region furnishes
put small portion OF the meat and
vegetables consumed here. Wyoming valley is not
an agricultural district and drafts have to be made
npon ''under the crust for the wherewith to obtain
aife sustaining aliment. Consequently when the
miners cut or the supply of coal they completely
shut up the source which has produced wealth for
some and good living for many. The movement
now under way has already depressed business
81 Isp
ls money In circulation and it is deemed matter
OF personal afront to ask for 'that little b'
which should have been paid before or about this
time. AS an illustration Of The present prostraton
In business circles, 1t is necessary to present but
single fact. Yesterday chanced to obtain q glimpse
Df freight bill OF the Lehigh Valley Railroad for
goods sent to Wilkesbarre and found the amount
but 81 SO. am informed that such bills. which
usually foot up about 500 or s125 dav, now
scarcely reach $10 This shows that business men
In this section are not ordering goods from New
York, and have trimmed their sails to meet the
pending crisis, which depends to its continuance
altogether upon circumstances.
CONVENTION OF MINERS.
convention OF miners, representing the various
distrcrs IN Luzerne county, was IN session at
Wilkesbarre yesterday and to-day, and the session
will continue over tomorrow. Sxty-eight delegates
were present. and the proceedings are represented
rs having been very harmonious and satisfactory.
The most important business the election OF
officers OF The General Council to represent
minor min % local of,cas Some discussion in regard dl 10
She state OF the organization took place, and
reports as to the feeling among the men OF the diff
ferent districts were read and commented upon.
Fhe transactions OF the Convention are sealed
book to the unnitated, and am sorry TO say that
have not been able TO ind single 'eaky vcsselr
hm0ng the half dozen delegates with whom have
e0ught contact. brothers OF the mystic tie''
not more non-communicatiye in their intercourse
with outsiders than are the members OF the
Miners Association, and the most insidious
20 satisfactory results. The men Keep their own
6ecrets, and perhaps 1t is wei that hcy 90. The
coal interest Just now may be likened TO game or
chess. II Is match game between capital and
labor, in which the latter is striving 10 maintain
Fair show against the former. Consequently, every
move on the board is unknown until made, and
neither OF the contestants can WIN advantage from
previous knowledge OF Intended attacks or
iiefences Tie outside world can only Judge
OF intentions from wnat Is seen on the surface and
1t is yet little too early tc speculate results.
While am denied intimate knowledge as to what
fhe Convention decided upon in regard to the great
question which now agltates the pubic mind-thc
coal question: am assured by those present that
The meeting was every way gratifying aud that the
recent order oil the Grand Council receives hearty
endorsement and has been instrumental III greatly
consolidating and STRENGTHENING the associa-
zion. III this be true, and there Is no reason
to doubt the statement, there Is TO be fierce
struggle with the three great companies which chal
lenged the Miners Union 70 contest over month
ago. But more anon OF tile great battle between
soulless corporations and honest bone and slnew.
10 the end there cannot be question.
PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFIcuITIEs.
Those WHO are seeking for the most reliable inior-
nation In relation to tue attitude OF the corporations
and miners just at this time ind the employment
pursuit OF knowledge under difficulties inter-
viewed prominent mine owner yesterday, and In
troduced myself under the impression that | had
struck the fountain head OF that side OF the
Susnoss and most M es scaesslu op Operator
was surprised 10 dad that he was in
Che condition OF the weary knife grlpder-ne had
story TO tell and appeared 10 Know nothing al all
as TO the ohlecs Of the present suspension. He con-
tended that for some ic past the operators had been
sending forward coal at rlncus rate, and tlatwith
fhe men working iuli time the supply or coal would
still more exceed the demand and mine owners
would not be able TO stand the pressure OF con-
tinually declining price. The miners ne admitted,
were not To DC blamed Tor their action. rule or
trade. that when production exceeds consumption
prices must decrease, applied TO coal as well gas
other commodities, and nc thought il wise and Judi
clous In the miners to protect themselves as best
direct and comfortable way OF attaining the END in
Eiew-viz, the maintenance of coal at price which
will pay them uniform rate OF wages For himself
his works were ready TO go when the men were
willing TO work, and he would have been salts
ned to continue producing ~ the rate established .
hnybOdy to be censnred for the present state of
AFFAIRS and felt in hope mat matters would soon be
arranged satisfactory TO all parties. He declared
that the statements in regard TO an immense guam
ttty OF coal being held by the great coal companies
are incorrect The coal IN market IS in the hands OF
nealers who have purchased and horde 1t, something
bn the plan OF ''ring' IN some article OF prime
necessity, IKE nour, or 'corner in gold or stocks.
enlightened by my witness, although he seemed
cordially TO tell all that he knew, and left him
Nnder the convection that at the commencement OF
tho great movement to Increase the price Of coal
mime owners and miners are III q mixed and misty
htate upon Information as TO why's and wherefOres,
hnd equally uninteigcnt Ia relation to probable ef
EectS In fact, SO far a5 have gone within the last
three days nave come III contact with innumeraDle
/ PERAMBuLATING KNOW NOTHING SOCIETIES,
quite as much III the dark as to ultimate results as
Ene great public; which is awaiting TO see the sun
pispe the fog which enclrcles the coal question In
p few days things VIII assume more tangible
knape, and matters OF much importance transplre
r. VISIT TO THE EMPIRE MINES.
Resting quietly IN sweet little valley, about a
be rouna the the Emrre mns SDeratsa Sy
6 Mr.. Charles Parrish. These mines are
fhe most important In this section, and there
district in the county OF Luzerne. The intense
gold weather Of rhe las week gave way to-day to
bne OF the l0yelest or winter days, with balmy air
bnd BRIGHT warm sun. Determining to get the
miners side Of the question II possible made my
way up over Mount Pleasant, and in due season
Found myself at the inevitable company st0re.'