New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-22
PRESIDENT GowEN IN NEW-YoRK.

UEECONCILABLE OPINIONS OF MINERS AND OPERA
TORS REGARDING THE BASIS OF wAGES-MEEI-
ISG or The OFFICERS OF TIE COAL COMPANIES.
Franklin b. GOwen, President of the Pbla-
tphia and Reading Coal aud Iron Company, returned
20 this cy from the region where the strikes OF the
eoslmiuers occurring Tuesday and departed for
h's home IN Philadelphia yesterday. Mr.. Quintard
states That Mr. GOwen had had further communities
non with the Committee of strikers hut was ready at
ali times 70 any communication they mi gh want
70 make John sney, President of the National Union
OF Miners. present with the strikers and, with
number Of other leading men IN their ranks was assist
Ing them TO keep up rle struggle. One fact concern
ing The cause OF the strike seemed to have hereto
fore been ignored by all who discussed IT,
The Company had not arbitrarily reduced the basis 10
u Is ton, a. stated II had merely proposed such a
reduction. arguing from their point Of view the neces
hy for IT, and they asked the fairly consider tie
suggesuon ana IN their reply such proposition IA
ey might deem favorable to their side They intended
oy iair compromise ~ come 70 some agreement Ru,
the men had hastily struck the first presentation ~
lhe proposition and had listened 10 argument and
would submit TO no discussion. They had themselves
closed the case AMI ere nothing for the Company
70 do now but TO hold ont against them. Mr. Gowen
sd the men were disposed to be peaceable No violence
was apprehended, and there were no Molly Mcguire
eOnspirsces that he was aware Of
Mr. Quntard stated his own opinion that while ,bs
original proposition for reduction might have been
contested with some hope OF success without strike -
could not be Withdrawn by the Company now until the
strike is ended aud the Company shall ind itself able IN
advance the basis 0i its accord The svsteu n,
ing wages on DAss o the price at which the coal w AZ
sofa Was lST Shd equitable having IN IL germ ~ t
cooperative principe, wherein worker ~ in,er
ested In tire prom arising irOui his work But Tho ms,
ers, while very tenacious OF their rights as coparnsr
when the profits are nigh, disposed 10 reect anv
share m tho losses TAe basis OF s. 30 eT ion any
them that their wages are To be increased al certa,o
percentage for Increase IN the selling price of coal
above that sau shall not Oe decreased by any
responding isii IN the selling price below IT. somewhat
One-sided arrangement the proposition made bv Mr.
Gowen the shall be & rs, and the reduc-
ton one cent IN tree for the decrease Ia prices
the miners would have sal. red reduction O only eight
cents ton IN the worst times II the proposition
had been accepted. In estimating the cost OF mining
besides the outlay or capital In the SINKING OF shafts. the
building Of breakers aud LAYING OF railroads.
Important item be added. Every ton OF coal mined
Reduces the supply Just SO much coal does not grow
Ike corn. 1t can be exhausted. and not many genera
mons will succeed the present before the anthracite
deposits are exhausted.
meeting OF persons interested in the hraclte coal
trade wac held yesterday the office Of the Della
and Hudson Canal Company, at No. 70 broadway.
Nearly all OF tine lending coal companies repre-
sented BY one or more OF their officers. There were
present representatives OF the Lehg and Wikesbare,
Philsde phia aud aiding, Delaware and Hudson and
yivAnia Coal Company were not represented. After
An informal discussion. schedule OF prices was ad0p
Tor the mouth OF March, wDen the years consd
ered 70 open. The prices are substantially the
those Tor the opening month last year was decided
"0onouot Tue business on the tssme general plan IN