New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-09
THE COAL QUESTION.
MINERS WAGES.

CHANCES OF STRIKE
lrRoN An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE rRIBUSs.l
POTTsvILLE, Penn. Jan. SIT was thought
that tho question OF miners for the year 1874
In the Schuykl region would be settled at the meeting
to-day Of the Committees Of the Anthracite Board
OF Trade, tho ORGANIZATION OF Operators, and
the Miners and workingmon's Benevolent Asso-
ciston-the trade union OF the miners.
But after the submission OF proposition
from Franklin b. Gowen. the leading operator Presi-
Gent OF the Reading Coal and Iron Company and It's &C
ceptance by the other operators the delegates Of the
miners refused to assume the responsi-
biiity OF accepting or rejecting tho terms
OF the capalists-terms which modify
the Of last year in far they contemplate
fall the prices OF below s. per Port Car
bon when such shall be the the operators demand
that the same concession Of proportonate
reduction IN wages be made to them
they themselves make 70 the miners when
coal rises above that figure The other demand by the
wokmentha the prices OF coal at Port Carbon bo liked
by the circulars OF the Reading Coal and
Iron Company, instead OF by the returns
OF individual Operators-wss negatively rejected,
nasmuch the proposition OF the operators contem-
plates the latter mode OF ascertanng prices Though
the answer OF the Committee Of Workingmen Is nom
commtta. conversations with individual mem
Der, lead to the belief that there will be
decided difference OF opinion among the
whole body OF miners when they 10 vote on the
question and IL is by certain that they will
accedo to tho proposition n they do not. there will I'M
dOubtody DO a strike in this whole Schuykl region.
The following is the proposition OF Mr. Gowen on be-
hal: OF tho operators:
To The Committee NJ he WOrlimgmen and NE Goa! OPP
orators
GENrLEsEN: I would suggest the following a fair
method Of adjusting wages for tine year 1874
l. The basis to be exactly the in all respects as
that Of 1873 with this exception, that when the price
Of coal Port Carbon shall he less than " 80 per ton
OF wages shall decline at tho rate OF one per
for every three cents decline IN prioe below 90
until 81 25 Is reached which sum OF " % shall be the
minimum for the year 1874
The monthly prices at Port Carbon to be ascertaned
in the manner they were III 1919 1t Is possible,
aud 1 trust probable, that there may be no
decline in prices below 81 80 per ton ct
Port Carbon during 1874. la which event tho
and sborers will get exactly the same wages ~
they last year. ana will be the only class Of work
gmen that will suffer reduction In wages III conse-
quence panic OF last Fall believe that there Is
work in the different districts. winch unjust
and should be remedied and while also believe hese
should be general reduction IN the wages paid Tor
contract work. which higher in Sohuykili
than In other regions, there Is certainly force IN
price AZ brought year their should not he
reduced. Hence would advise the operators
of wages at this time. But in view
OF the crippled condition OF many manufacturing in
eresis the stoppage OF new railway construction. the
general slrinksge OF values resulting from the
financial panic OF 1872 and the exceptionally mild
weather OF tho present Winter, all ~ which VIII exert
some influence upon the coal trade 1t seems no more
than common prudence to provide for tho possible
contingency OF lower prices Tor leXt year.
Aud should such lower prices obtain 1t would not only
be mancsy unjust for the workngnien 20 expect the
same rate Of wages as was paid when coal brought
prices but IL would utterly impossible for the
coal operators 10 pay II. Therefore have suggestion
that GOAL recedes below s. So wages SHAH decline OK,
acty IN the same proportion they advance when coal
revr,t very much that have been drawn into thi.
discussion ~ would much prefer that the question OIL
wages should be adjusted by the operators aud
the workngmen among themselves Without tho inter
,off Tho. Enp1n N IN
bs willing admit that the new policy inauguraen Dy
the Company has resulted greatly 10 he benent OF ne
region and not only given To tho operators steady trade
but secured the w0rkngmen better wages ana more
regular employ mont titan they could possibly have OBJ
,nod in any other manner The vital question at
issue 10 whether Schuy KIN region can continue 10
command its proper share OF the markets Tor ls74-to
secure which essential that oil interests. including
tho carrying company. the operator. and the Working
man. should act III perfect harmony and good will The
to be greatly 10 tho advantage Of the workngmen and
think it should be cheerfuy and promptly agreed to
by them aud accepted by the operators IN inc same
The above proposition accepted by the operators
TO he Committee Of me Miners and Loborers
GENrLRMEs: The Committee Of the Coal Operators
operators accept proposition this day submitted by
Sr and adoot as their own proposition u the
n''" '0' '"' ''"' GToaGs W COLE. Chairman.
The following is the manifesto of tho Miners Commit
tee addressed to the whom they represent;
10 N, O9esrs and Member, Of The ~ d Il. h.. A.
the operators with your proposition regarding basis
for 1877. would respectfully inform You that
a fsll committee OF the Anthracite Board of Trade
this morning. and alter 0rganhme In JOINT
themselves were by tho Secretary Here follow
the letters OF Mr.. Gowen and tho operatOrsl Feeling
that we possess power to further In TINS matter
tan simply to acauant the operators with your decis
ION aud offer argument IN Its behalf your reasons for
tho whole matter before you Just as
comes to us, for your CONTEMPLATION ndOn
several districts as soon as possible, vote upon
the above proposition and immediately forward the
ss.n una of John sney Chairman OF the
Committee st. Clair Penn We have not called meet
dict, as We desire to avoid the ex-
pon,e that such meeting would involve
uncure TO lay up every penny against the pos
sibty Of suspension 1t is understood that you need
not until the 18th inst up to and Including
which date the basis will be that OF 1873
Fellow workmen. YOU are now called upon 70 render
decIson 40 matter OF most vital Importance and We
therefore ADVISE you in approaching the duty to keep
well mind every attendant consdersuon. Ine requro
nents OF your miles the condition OF general business
the working OF last years basis, the prospects, OF the
coming year, and everything else that In any way
Affects tho Justice necessity. Availability OF your ac-
entne or rejecting the within proposition The present
"a time that imperatiyely demands OF you ca'm de-
lberate. and decisive action
THOMAS TAYLOR JEREMIAH CURRAs.
WILLIAM MORGAN.
IAIrR-The Miners Circular will DO Issued to night
from The PosrHe Daily Standard office and distributed
among the different branches Of the Union leach mine
constituting q branch. AID q vote Of miners
taken at once. It will be fully q week before
tho decson Of received and returned to the
Chairman of the Committee. What this result will be
can only be oonjsctured; but from conversation
with leading miners. Notwithstanding their
extreme reticence, it is believed that tho
men will not agree to the terms proposed
aud unless tho operators yield. aud thoy say
they will not there will be entire suspension
of work in the 5chuylhll region. Even
N this should be the case unless the
strike should be ong one is not understood that the
price OF coal to consumers will advance much, for this