The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-06-07
To BE CONTINUED.
The supply of Coal.

The following testimony was recently
given by Mr. Alex Mcdonald, before the
Select Committee appointed by the British
House Of Commons, TO inquire into the
supply aud the causes for the rise Of coal
Mr. Mcdonald, President of the Miners
National Association, was the first wit
ness examined. He stated that the asso-
ciatlon included Scotland, Northumber-
land, DurhaSa, South and West Yorkshire,
NarwIckshlre and SomersetshIre, number
ing altogether 96, 900 persons. The prln-
cipal object Of the association was to pro
mote legislation, such as the abolition Of
the truck system, the better inspection
of mines, compensation for accidents and
other questions of a similar nature. There
were no absolute rules imposed by the as
sociation, the action Of its members being
voluntary and not compulsory. In 1868,
Goals were produced in Scotland at a cost
of from IS Cd to ~ per ton. That included
all charges up to the delivery of the Goals
IN the railway trucks. The best quality Of
coal in Northumberland and Durham sold
in 1868 for IS and IS I'd per ton, and the
lowest rate was Is Cd. In 1872 and 1873
the cost Of production increased by 60 to
% per cent, and the market price in
creased 100 per cent. In 1868 the actual
earnings of the newer ranged from IS 6d to
As Sd day, and the number Of days per
week was from three to four. The num-
ber Of days work depended upon the de
mand, and during 1868 the demand was 50
small that there was not work enough to
keep the men employed more than three
or four days week. The hewers wages
new varied from 8s to 9s per day, and there
was one small district in which they re-
ceived los per day. The hewers were now
working from four and half to five days a
week He did not believe it would be pos
sible for the men to work SIX days week
continuously and earn the same rate Of
wages The cost Of the production Of coal
in Scotland now averaged about Us per ton.
Tie best, or household coal, produced in
Scotland sold now for 2ls per ton the
second-class coal, used for iron making,
fetched 22s Sd and splint coal 23s. The
dross, or slack, which in 1868 fetched from
2s to 2s cd per ton, at the commencement
Of the present year sold for l2s The rise
in the price Of coal preceded In every case
the demands Of the men for all increase OF
wages. In one case in Scotland where al
increase in price was about to be made Dy
the masters, the men promised that if il
were not made they would not demand al
increased rate * wages.
Mr.. Corrance What was their reason
Mr. Mcdonald said the reason WAS thai
there was great cry all over the county
On account Of the price the industry 0
the country was being crippled, and th'
people were wanting fire. The workmeI
.ook that into account, and there was
.eneral feeling throughout the whole 0
Scotland that the prices were being carried
to too high figure.
By Mr. Pease-Deductions were mad
from the miners wages for powder, tools
and candles. During 1868 the deduction
: amounted to Cd per day. In some case
the miners had houses found for them free
7 but when high rate Of wages was pal
t the masters charged small rent for tn
, cottages. The deductions had increased b
, 90 per cent, and they were made by tn
masters themselves, and not by any thlr
person. He thought the men worked a
hard as they could whilst in the pits wit
the view of getting out Of them as soon a
possible. They were peid fortnightly, an
in some csses monthly. Advances weI
made to them, for which 5 per cent. va