The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-20
THE GREAT COAL STRIKE.


THE GREAT COAL STRIKE.
THE MOVEMENT BECOMING UNANIMoUs-THE
MINERS SHOW NO SIGNS OF BACKING DOWN
DIFFERENT OPINIONS AS TO THE LoNGEvI-
TY OF THE STRIKE.
PoTrsvILLE, Pa, Jan. l2.-Dispatches
received here to-day from all the districts in
the Schuylkill region represent that at
meeting of the miners, all had decided to
strike, rejecting the 81 % basis, and demand
ing the minimum basis of 81 80 on contract
work, and g 20 for day work, and in some
instances demanding higher rates. The
men are very determined, the basis question
having been thoroughly discussed.
and they are better prepared for the strike
now than ever before. There is much differ
as to how long the strike viii continue and
what length of time the men will be able to
stand out, many believing that it will con-
tinue until the middle of April or first of
May, and some think compromise may be
effected by the 18th of the present month,
the time given for final answer whether
they will accept or reject the proposition.
The Journal will contain the follong edi-
torial to- morrow on the coal trade, the basis
question and the situatiOn: The men at
number of collieries having suspended work
to attend district meetings of the working
mems benevolent association for the purpose
of voting on the proposition made
the committees, finding the unanimity
50 great among them, resolved in several of
the districts to suspend word until the basis
was arranged. When the commissioners
met in Philadelphia the impression prevail
ed that there was no difficulty between the
parties OH the basis in question except on
the price of contract work, and the mode of
obtaining average prices of coal and
so reported, but when they met on the Sth
instant the committee OF the workingmen's
benevolent association state that they
found GOwen had submitted a proposition
endorsed, and which was afterwards
submitted. SO the men. With this the
wOrkingmens benevolent association found
fault. They say it ought to have been sub
mitted to them simultaneously with its sub
mission to the operators. They looked upon
il as an attempt to force them into terms,
and this led to a suspension of work at a
number of the collieries until the basis
was arranged. This. we think, was &
mistake, as it would have been better
TO have continued work until the 18th in
slant, when the commissioners will meet to
receive the report of the vote in the districts
of the Workingmen's Benevolent associa-
ton, which it is expected will be unanimous
in rejecting the proposition to re-
duce the minimum basis price. An
effort will then be made to recon-
Gle matters, at least they ought
10 be, and will be If coal counsel's prevail.
1t is also claimed that no change has taken
place in the basis price in Lehigh valley, or
the Wyoming region, and that the prices OF
1873 past have been continued for 1874, and
why not charge them in Schuylkill county.
They say if contract work is too high
at some places, let that be adjusted on equit-
able terms, and also raised where too low. L
have endeavored to ascertain the views OF
parties directly in the interested regions,
| and also of the business community, and
there is greater unananimity against
any reduction on basis pe,
low 81 30 or 81 20 than prevailed
| before 1t was great drain on the BUSH
tors. although the committee representing
them agreed to the proposition made. would
prefer the basis as IL Is, put at the same
time many of them would like
| TO have contract work reduced
some. Such is the situation in
this region at this writing, and as we stated
before, with cool counsel on both sides, we
think the question can be adjusted with a
suspension Of only a few days, which would
not ba injurious to trade, as the market Is
supplied with coal at the presena and even
| if a strike should take place in Schuylldll
| Ii would not affect the supply OF coal, as
other regions could furnish all that would
| be required for several months to come.
In order, however, 10 remove false I'M
preston that prevails upon some questions,
We most positively deny that there Is any
disposition on the part OF any interest Oil
rectly engaged in the trade to bring about a
strike. It is not the intere- of p lrtiss, aud
all win endeavor to avoid it if possible. The
reason why men are Sc unanimous against
reduction of the basis of prices Is that
! if panic had not occurred, they would
have asked for basis of 30, which is not
considered too high to pay fair income on
| the investment TO all parties. As 1t was,
several districts struck for higher basis,
but a majority voted to continue the basis
of rs for "a, and such seemed to be the feel
| ing of all parties up to the time. The diff
ferent proportions were made to them on
the Sth.
Since the above was written. it has been
stated to us that one or two persons sf in
| fluence among the miners would like to
bring about a strike TO advance their per-
sonal interests. Whether the statement Is cor
rect, we do not know, but we hope that
workingrDen's benevolent association will
not listen to any such advice from any
quarter. Strikes are destructive to the in
terests of all parties, and generally result in
more losses than gains, anc everything
ought 70 be done except sacrifice OF power
on strict principles of justice to avoid such a
calamity.
A Washington correspondent draws an
easy picture of the situation, to which, If the
would-be Chief Justice do conform, he won't
take his confirmation or condemnation very
much to heart. Says the letter: Now don't
suppose Williams himself knows how lie Is
situated. In the first place he don't seem to
me to be the sort OF a man to cherish a real
| live ambition; to realize the fullness Of honor
there will be in his success, or the bitterness
of disaster there will be in his defeat. He
seems dull, plodding fellow, who has got
] on in the world by steadily putting one slow