New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
A LABOR WAR.
THE STRIKE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COAL


BOTH SIDES DETERMINED AND DEFfAST-THb |
MINERS RAPIDLY ORGANIZING - STEADY SPREAD |
or The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF IAwLtss-
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TaiBUvEI
WILKEsB,RRE Jan. 19.-Among the miners OF the |
northern coal fields of Pennsylvania slumbers |
deeply rooted hatred toward the operating COM |
panies, which grows stronger as the programme OK
the combination to force upon them reduction I'M
folds itself. Free conversation with the most intel
lgeut GOLFERS of tho Wilkesbarre districts during
the last two days shows that they consider them
selves much aggreved by the action Of the four great
representative corporations embraced within the
monopoly controlling the Wyoming region. Their
complaints the same that may be heard in every
other anthracite region Of the State. The miners
declare that their condition is but little removed
from that of bond slave, they are the victims OF
the caprces of tho companies, who force them into
idleness when tho production is to be suspended
in order to raise corner" or Lift prices to
speculative figures that wages that arc now earned
under the basis of 1873 hardly afford comfortable
living and that reduction would certainly involve
them in debit that they have been subjected to all
sorts Of petty anpoyances, such az the temporary
suspension Of mining in times when there is no
actual reason for it that perfected system OF
Withholding is in vogue, the companies not
furnishing them with tho full number stipulated in
the contract, thus compelling the colliers to lose
time and money; that superintendents have been
appointed distasteful to them who display fayort-
ism, and also by other means cut down earnings
that dctatorial and insolent manner OF dealing
with the miner exists, rarely even allowing him
voice in any conference when the question OF wages
arises: and that the inadequate ventilation laws are
criminay neglected and disregarded, tho inspectors
whose duty it is to enforce the rules paving but little
attention to their business and thus rskng the life
of the collier.
These abuses with many Others, have extended
over long period of years until now when an adj
ditona cross in the matter OF reduction OF wages
is about TO be thrust upon them, the men have de-
termined that there shall be submission on their
| part and they viii hold out like their brethren OF
the Schuylkill region, until tho last copper has
been exhausted The have not made
this declaration in convention, but thie
| is tho general burden among them In every dis
trct of the region the cry Of reform" liz sounding
and Organizer is the word that goesl from lip to
| lin From all quarters tho report comes here that
active preparations are foot for the formation OF
| lodges of tho National Miners Union. Good
authorities assert that before the month
| closes the organization will number in this
| region o membership of fully 600 men. strug-
! gle must ensue. The inhabitants of the country
feel that 1t is approaching, and great anxiety and
uneasiness have been OccasiOned The operators
still cling to their old story that there is demand
for COAL and consequently with the very large stock
| at points of shipment, which is enough to supply
] the consumption for some time yer they cahho'
| afford to mine q ton
| Considerable excitement has been created to-day
among the GOLFERS in this immediate district over
/ tho arrival of John Sney President OF the National
Miners Union, and G. b. Johnson, editor OF The
| Workingman. the organ of tho Golfers. who have
| come over from the Schnylkill region. A great
mass meeting will be held here on Wednesday
| the call for the having been lssaed
to-day. 1t is not positively known tonight whether
| tho question of the reduction Will come up for con-
sideration, but the presence of Mr.. siney at this
| particular time is OmnOus. Reports reach here to
the effect that about 5000 coiers employed at the
mines of the Mineral Railroad aud Mining Company,
| Lake Fiddler, Hickory Swamp, and Hickory Ridge,
| arc now holding out against ten per cent
| reduction. Although the strikers do not belong
| to Miners and LaboreTs Benevolent Associations
now, it is understood that they will do co. The
great Carbonate trouble has assumed no change f0r
| tho better, and 1t is quito apparent that the
| determined position taken by both operators
and men will cause tho struggle to be
one of an indefinite period. About 1900
| men are employed at this place. Various reports
come in of incendiary contagratOns, and operators
have taken precautions to protect their property.
| Considerable lawessness prevails, and in some
places especially in the upper Lehgh district there
| is almost reign OF terror. At the County Court
here to-day 10 indictments were presented for muir
der which shows to what extcut the awlossness is
| carried.
| PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT IN LUZERNE COUNTY.
| WHKEsBARRE, Jan. 19.-NO new develop
ments have made to-day In regard TO the probable
time the general suspension OF mining Will continue In
this REGION The miners rapidly organizing in oil
sections of the country under the National Association
The old organizations among them have almost entirely
died out and beginning OF this year they had no
such thing general organsit alton. meeting to re-
organize was held Plymouth this evening. The streets
of the borough thronged with idle men aud boys.
and such Is the with every village and city IN the
| mining sections. Tomorrow meeting OF the Execu-
tive Board OF the Miners and Laborers Association Of
tins county to be held here. John sney President Of
the National Association and G. Is. johnson, editor OF
The RorkiBgmdn, arrived mere to-day ana Will sodiess
| the miners at different places.
| PROPOSITION OF THE TIOGA COUNTY MINERS.
The workmen of the various btuminOus coal
mines 10 Toga County Penn. have made proposition
for settlement OF the dineronces existing between
them and the companies. They stipuate that the
panes are 70 withdraw their refusal TO permit members
Of the Miners and LabOre Benevolent Association 10
work IN their coeres and to offer no further obstrac
ton to the organizations that any acts which obstruct
the exercise Of tho employers right control lawfully
their and shall DO punished acts OF
conspiracy that all past grievances and ENGAGEMENTS
shall be considered not existing and that the prnc
pie of arbitration shall DO applied To all matters OF dis
mite The miners that they feel that their propos
ton, II adopted win make great change in the Iela
they say will enranchise the citizens OF naming towns
bringing about the proper opening o. hShw ,S as
position made Of The m ,n by suds and pabea
lsiOQOf At tla of f.a