The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-09
The COAL STRIKE.

Meeting Of NIiners-fhe SituatiOn-Feelfng
Among the Men-What They Intend to
. D0-The Strike Not General.
WILKEsBARRE Jan 8, 1872
During the past week there has been consider
able excitement among the miners In this quarter,
occasloned by the stand taken by the Wikesbarre
Coal and Iron Company toward the men
in their employ. Meetings. and conferences
have been numerous, but nothing had
been done to bring about harmony
aU the Empire mines or between the
individual operators ana their miners Matters,
however, nave assumed o terrible shape, and the
extent OF the struggle and its cause has been de-
fined.
On Saturday afternoon there was large meeting
OF miners In this city. Some 600 men assembled,
the occasion being the annual election OF officers of
District No. IL OF the w. b. A., embracing the men
employed by Mr.. Charles Parrish. After the install.
larion OF W. II. Carl as President and W. e.
Howells as Secretary general discussion Of the
condition Of the trade was entered upon. The pro-
position OF Mr.. Charles Parrish to reduce the rate
OF wages ten per cent was under consideration and
subjected TO most searching investigation. Upon
the question being put to whether the proposition
should be accepted the vote stood very close
only about twenty majority being given TO
those present was extremely cordial and the entire
district will be governed by the action of the
so So far as present they
upon IS besis from which Mr.. Parish demands
,a Of sn per and to TINS
however to allow coal 70 n fall to q so ana
it they Want some show Tnde Ssns
sliding scale as coal goes the market. Mr.. Parrish
urges an arbitrary reduction OF ten per cent with
out regard 70 the price OF COAL lie has declared an
intention to hight his men square on TINS ISSUE"
and the probabilities are that his works will remain
idle for some time 70 come:
THE SITUATION
Is thls-Under the jurisdiction OF the Wilkesbarre
Coal and Iron Company are coal works extending
from New York TO this city. The men OF these
mines are embraced In nine districts or the U. B.
A., the largest of which and The controlling in-
iuence Is No. IL, the meeting OF which ON Saturday
has already been alluded To. The miners are dis
hs Tine Tne action Of Mr. Parrish raners
1t necessary 1Or all the individual operators to stand
by him in the demand for reduction OF wages, as
their interests are mutual. IL has been arranged
that dl(rcl No. IL shall only participate In the con-
test which has been inauguraCed, that organization
being the largest and most able 10 stand the
brunt OF the battle. All the men, therefore, with
the exception OF those engaged at the Empire
mines, continue at work with an assurance OF re.
celving the wages fixed upon when the trial OF en-
DURANGO between Mr.. Parrish and his men comes to
an end.
THE EFFECT.
THIS mode Of settling the question may be less
Objectionable tnan q general STRIKE but the fight
Will be more or less demoralizing to the men and
business generally and may lead 10 disastrous re-
suits before 1t Is ended. The men are IN good
spirits and exhibit good deal OF determination TO
hold out.
The Grand Council OF Miners meets at MahanOy
city tomorrow, and the complication in this city
will come before that body. The meeting Will be ali
important one, but no general suspensions Will be
ordered. The great body OF miuers are opposed TO
O revival Of the scenes OF last winter and spring.
general suspension Is not necessary al this time,
and the Council will not dare assume such fearful
responsibility as that step would entail upon each
and every member OF 1t.