The workingman's advocate., 1875-02-20
CLEVELAND. Ohio, Feb. 20. 1875

DEAR SIR IL have just a moment to
tell you that have Just returned from
tour in the Mahoning Valley. Before
going there might say had paid a visit
to Clay County. Perhaps you are already
aware of the facts "a they exist in both Of
these important mining sections, but if
Cach IL the case it viii not do much harm
TO rehearse them in brief. In Indiana the
miners were offered q reduction in the
price Of mining to the extent of fifteen
cents per ton, something like a month
ago. This takes them down from 85c, the
former price to 7Oc, As proposed. The
object the operators claim is to enable
them to compete in the Chicago market
with the coal from Mahoning and else
where, going into that market. This may
be necessary to give them the trade
and take it from the others for moment,
and only moment, for other places Of
course would follow the example set them
in Clay County, and general reduction
follow all over, and no more coal sold.
Not one ton. Understand me Indiana
might sell few tons more, but to Offset it
other places would sell that much less, and
the producers be out Of pocket 15c q ton
all round.
We had joint meeting Of the employers
Of Clay County, and the representatives Of
the men two weeks ago last Monday, to see
if some terms could be arrived at. But it
was failure in 50 far as this was the point
Nothing could be done except they accept
the prices offered. The meeting was hsr-
monious and good deal Of talk done, but
it ended in talk. No conclusions
The men are very determined, and
have come out feeling they have a
hard fight to contest, and have made
strong resolutions to come out victorious.
They have disadvantages to overcome
which they have themselves to blame for,
and must overcome before success is theirs:
a want Of previous organisation and train
ing and the provisions to carry on an ex-
tended encounter. This In the principle
We have often seen it though, when men
were worse provided, they made the best
struggle, and it might possibly be 80 in this
case. | attended several good mAss meet
ings which were both enthusiastic and
considerate. A greater feeling Of Union
exists there than has done for long time,
l trust they will mature, and use It in
ludicious way.
On my way back to Cleveland in com
pany with Bro. Linn Of Harmony, we
waited on a Committee of Indiana Legisla-
tors in regard to the mining bill now pend
ing before the House Of that State. From
the prospects held out, | am persuaded
the bill will pass at this session Of the Leg
islature.
From there l went into the Mahoning
Valley, where il also great deal Of Agita-
tion on the question of reduction in the
price. In . few places 10 cents per ton
is wanted; others want only . centA. off
Others have not yet offered to reduce any
As it now stands it is rather a mixed
state of things, but this last prop
osition is the little leaven that will leav-
en- the whole lump-the straw that
broke the camels back. 1t mas sst A.
agitation in motion that cannot be d.
] SITAluCu Jill DCbICE bcEuu6 arc given L1eHc
than has ruled for the last year. The
limit Of endurance has been reached, and
now labor rises up to make inquiries how
it is. When labor does 80 it seldom ever
will down you know till it knows the rea-
son why. The operators here might have
swept along for a time, and no change re-
suited, but they could not let we'll enough
alone and had TO step from may have been
49,, n
ture is sure to take place there ere many
days elapse ami no man can prevent This
is to be regretted As II IS a hard time; this.
and men i'll prepared to take such a step.
but 1t is to that stage when men ask them.
selvrs will we work and starve, or lay idle
and starve r. And the latter they think
! is the easiest. Mass meetings were held
at youngstown, Brookheld, Coolbaugh,
! Churchill and Mineral Ridge, at which the
conclusions Of the were men fully demon.
: strated, and leaves no doubt il my mind
as to what policy that will be pursued II
! you hear Of a suspension there in "A week
or 50 be not surprised at all.
The River Miners in Western Pa, are
all out at present also. They are resisting
the reduction offered them from cents Il
2l per bushel. Till the river opens there
> will not he much done anyhow. This the
men understand, and count m The uues
ton, however, of suspension is 50 general
I that the price will doubtless be given. il
the men keep close together at that time
That is the critical period, and prudence
will be required on their part then These
added to the idle men in the hard coal
regions ought, if the Law Of supply and
! demand has any virtue in 1t, have some
, effect On the prices before very long.
. hope it will and prices 90 up some. God
: knows the men need it, Yours ever,
JOHN SHINY.
z. ST. have omitted to state the Shen-
ango Valley, Penn, is in the same boat
as the Mahoning, with this difference: the
men there are already suspended, and have
been for two weeks A meeting Of the
operators and delegates from the mines
was held in Sharon, with similar purport
to the Indiana one A better spirit
reigned at it than at the latter place, bat
no definite conclusions were reached.
Reduction is the order Of the day, and the
men cannot afford to work ut it, As it is
when working at present prices the bare
necessarles cannot be had men are really
driven to desperation, and cannot be held
Responsible for resistance at present. The
screw cannot be borne any further
} FR0M cAl lInRMA