Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-19
THE COAL MINERS.
Meetings at Wilkesbarre and POttsyilIe,
Penn.-Ten Per Cent. Advance
Positively Refused.
No More Work Except ON the Basis of
1S73-Pr0spect Of an Extended
Strike-Etc., Etc.
AT WILKEsRARRE.

| Al WllhESBAhhE.
WnKEsBARRE, PA, January IA
large meeting of miners was held in
| Weiss hall this afternoon to deliberate
upon the state of affairs at present ex-
| isting, and to effect an organization and
| unite with the national association.
Speeches were made by James O'Hal-
larOn, an officer of the national assOcia-
ton, and others, explaining the object
and desires of that organization, and
setting forth its advantages in the pres
ent state of affairs, and to thoroughly
prepare for whatever might come. An
address, presented at a meeting in
Ohio a month ago, was read and met
with hearty approval. 1t was then
voted to join the national association,
and the constitution was at once adopted
and officers nominated.
The committee appointed to wait upon
Charles Parrish, bearing a demand for
an advance Of ten per cent. in wages,
made a report that after reading the
paper which was handed him, asking
for an increase of wages for 1874, he re-
piled: "YOu cannot have what you ask
for. 1 will not give you an increase; I
will reduce your wages. [ have been
giving you all you are entitled to, and L
cannot raise your wages now when /
cannot mine ton of coal or sell hum
dred TONS" The committee asked to
have the answer put in writing, but this
Parrish declined to do.
Nothing was done with the report. An
answer was not given in writing, as has
always been done heretofore, and is the
rule between that company and its en-
plCyes. A number stated that they were
not on a strike; that the company for
which they had been working had
stopped all but two or three of their
works, thus throwing them out of en-
ployment, and they were now asking
the company, after keeping them idle
as long as it suited them, should give
them an advance of ten per cent. when
ready &c start their works again. 1t
was announced that John Seney,
president of the national association, and
G. B. johnson, editor of the Working
man, would visit this place early next
week, and that the president was au-
thorized to call meeting during their
stay, that the miners might have an ep-
pOrtunity of hearing an address from
them on the present condition of affairs.
The miners of Luzern say that the stop
page of so many coal works is no fault
of theirs, and there is really no such
thing as strike. Large companies
have suspended work and miners are
using idle time to effect a thorough or
ganization, and have asked for an ad-
vance of ten per cent. and again set to
work, but did not stop because this ad-
vance was refused. Representative men
of their number say that there is great
unity throughout this region and should
the threat of Parrish to reduce wages be
carried out, they will not resume work
for many weeks. They insist that the
can well afford to pay more
while they are getting present prices,
and that they do not want to oppose
capital, but only to receive just and
equable compensation for their labors.
AT POTTSvILLE.
louisville, Pa, January 1.-THE
executive committee of the Miners and
Laborers' benevolent association unani- |
mously rejected the Cover proposition,
and adopted q resolution allowing the |
men to work in any cOlliery where the |
owners were willing to pay the fifty |
cent basis of 1873. A meeting of opera |
lives was held at Philadelphia, and at |
Reading, of the coal and iron compa-
ly's officers. Cover was not present. |
The decision Of the men was transmit |
ed to them, but they adjourned without |
.aking action, declaring they had no
urther proposition to make. There mat
.ers rest, with prospect of long and |
strike. In Shamaker district |
he operators have not agreed to pay
cents. Other operators
making shipments over the Philadel-
1hiO and Reading railroad have Joined
he latter company, and insist on a re-
tuction- The Standard says that there
$ no longer any doubt of the fact that
here is general suspension CT mining
'perations in this region, and unless the
and Reading coal and
ron company recedes from the firm
tand it has taken the cessation of labor
Vill be protracted and costly. The sus-
ension has now fairly begun, and
1hen or how it will end no one
an predict. The men are well
rganized, and have q full treasury,
nd we resolved not to yield an inch of
'hat they consider their rights. The !
on the other hand, is de- y
not to make single conces- I
on, and Cover has begun a policy 5
'hich looks as though he would pro- Y
act the fight indefinitely. To supply
le railroad and local trade of Philadel- a
hia, he has begun shipments of coal :
ON the Lehigh region over branches
his road connecting with that region
lower rates than he ordinarily charges
transport it over the main road from
ort Carbon to Philadelphia. This is an b
Itreme measure. Among the smaller
1eratOrs there is a general feeling in
voT of paying the basis of 1873. v
Dispatches from Madrid state that tbe
Al lutau anIlnAnni of Hnnnn.1ilI. folI