davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
For The WoRKNoxAN's ADvocATE.
The Coal Supply Of Great Britain.
BY ANDREW ROY.

The British Government, alarmed for
the future coal supply, by the e1traordi-
nary drain upon the coal fields, appointed
a royal commission in 1867 to enquire into
the several matters relative to the coal of
the united kingdom. The committee APP
pointed to investigate the probable guam
tity Of coal contained in the coal fields of
the united kingdom, and to report on the
quantity of coal which may be reasonably
expected to be available for use, estimate
the probable quantity in the ascertalned
coal fields of the united kingdom at co.
2O7, 600, 900 tons, add Of, 273, 600, 900 tons
AS having probable existence at workable
depths under the newer strata Of the Per-
mian and New Red Sandstone productions,
making a total of lag, 48O, 900, 600 tons.
In this estimate all coal seams Of foot
thick and upward, to a depth Of 4, 900 feet
are included.
The estimated quantity of coal lying at
depths exceeding 4, 900 feet, is set down in
the report of the commission as about 49,
465, 600, 900 tons, Of which 20, 900, 900, 900
tons are assumed to lie at depths between
4, 900 and 4, 900 feet, and the remainder to
lie at depths between 5000 and 10000
feet.
In the present state Of mining 1000 feet
is greater depth than is possible to mine
coal The deepest mines in England,
which scarcely exceed 1000 feet, possess a
temperature Of 50 degrees. At 5000 feet
the heat Of the mines would be over 100
degrees, and at 4, 900 feet it would be I20
degrees Rapidly waving currents of air
may reduce these temperatures several de-
grees, and compressed air may still further
cool the workings, but newer discoveries
in ventilation must be offered before 4, 900
feet can be reached.
The temperature Of the rocks at 5000
feet of depth would be 100 degrees, and at
10000 feet, the depth of the lower Goals
Of the South Wales coal fields, it would be
2l5 degrees, which is degrees above boil
ing water. Coal lying at such depths the
commission consider as beyond the reach
Of men.
The following table shows the time thai
would be required to exhaust the coal sup
ply of Great Britain, supposing an increase
in production were to continue till the year
2, $50, based upon the increase Of produc-
ton during the past 80 years
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

NEWS FROM THE OLD WORLD.

SOUTH STAFFORD FURNACEMEN.-Th
South Staffordshire pigiron makers on
Wednesday decided to reduce blast fur
nacemen's wages 10 per cent.
STRIKE IN OORSwALL.-A serious dis
pute between the masters and the men EN-
ployed in the china clay trade in Cornwall
has taken place in the matter Of wages and
working hours. About 1900 men have
struck work, and the authorities fear that
disturbances may ensue.
IMPENDING STRIKE IN THE LONDON
BUILDING TRADE.-The London building
trade threatens general strike on what is
called the grinding question Prior to
the great strike of 1872, the men we're
accustomed, upon discharge, to receive
payment for % hours for grinding, i. e.,
sharpening and patting in order their tools
preparatory to entering upon another job.
The 2! hours notice became 2 hours, and,
after the great strike, several Of the mas
tiers, considering that the custom was abro-
gated under the settlement of 1872, refused
to give the grinding time or money. The
Inconvenience caused by the strike will be
excessive, and it will take some weighter
argument than has yet been heare to con
vince the public that this minor grievance
justifies the men in striking Some Of the
masters offer one hours grinding money.
but the men at present insist upon two
hours. London Correspondent.
ARBITRATION IN THE CARPET TRADE-On
Wednesday evening a conference between
five manufacturers Of the Carpet Weavers'
Association, and the same number Of rep
resentatives of the weavers, wss held at
the Class Room, Kidderminster, for the
purpose of discussing the basis of the pro-
posed arbitration in the carpet trade. 1t
was resolved to submit the following ques-
tons to an arbitrator -. Whether the
workmen ought to be remunerated while
working without creel boys, and on what
principle q To consider fair and reas-
enable scheme for masters and men for
and retaining youths in the
trade. 1t was mutually agreed that the
question Of working bad material was one
which the association recognized should be
dealt with by individual firms as occasion
arises. The joint secretaries Of the two as
soclatiOns were requested to correspond
with Mr.. ThOs. Hughes, Q. G., 9TH the
view of obtaining his services as arbitrator
in settling the above questions.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

interest to individuals, by the issue Of an
abundant government currency without
interest. A limited currency enables its
holder to demand interest. We are told
that there is plenty Of unemployed cur
rency now waiting to be loaned, at mod
crate interest. But it may be safely af-
firmed, that il there were federal deposit
tories in every state, loaning money with
out interest, Thousand millions of cur
rency would be borrowed in less than SIX
months, and the whole country would hum
with the voice Of industry.
From the nature Of the case, labor
ultimately pays all interest, and every
dollar taken for interest is dollar taken
from the wages Of labor. There is no get
ting over this fact, for interest returns nc
valid service OF labor for what it takes.
A shoemaker and halter may exchange
with each other equitably, and have some
thing to show But the man who pays in
terest has nothing to show but has oUn Ia
Dor, less the interest paid Our nationa
distresses for the past year or two can b.
traced mainly to the vast sums abstractec
from industry through interest. A thous
and millions year paid in interest on every
conceivable thing, aud all taken from la
Dor, is heavy argument against interest
j. +. BRAY
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
From New York.

A meeting Of delegates from the several
Trades Unions of New York, met in con-
vention on the evening of July Goth. Mr..
Richard Mathews Of the Bricklayers
Union in the chair, and adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions
Resolved, That this Convention Of Trades
Union Delegates regard the reduction Of
workingmens wages on public Improvements
as unjust, arbitrary and unworthy the age in
which we live.
Resolved, That the depression Of trade is
owing principally to the plundering thieves
who infest all departments Of Government,
and who perform little labor in return for
the extravagant salaries which they contrive
to draw without interruption from the
pockets of the people.
Resohed, That we denouhce the acts Of
our officials in discharging the laborers from
the public works, and that we claim it TO be
the duty of Government to furnish employ
ment for the unemployed IN times of depres-
sion of trade.
Rssoired, That although in impoverished
circumstances, we steadily and persistently
MAINTAIN that the reduction of the hours of
labor Is based upon economic truths which
cannot be gaInsayed, and in which the best
interests of the State are involved; and we
further proclaim to all labOrers, to beware Of
adventures striving TO organize political or
carnations, but whose sole object is to secure
Place and wehold that labor can only SEE
cure justice BY its own hands, and by men
whose actions, well professions, are in
harmony with the labor interest
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

GEN KNOX, Comptroller of the currency,
has proven in his official reports that the
effect of the bullionists confederation laws
has been to contract the currency over
twenty millions Of dollars since the first Of
January The Chicago Times is now try
ing to make out that Comptroller Knox
must be mistaken The Times is mad be-
cause III reply to Judge Kelley it charged
him with mIsrepresenting the facts. Now
that commissioner Knox has practically
Endorsed Judge kelley's staticties, the
Times sees that it can no longer answer
Judge Kelley by yelling out you lie. I"
1t must therefore prove that Commissioner
Knox and Judge Kelley are wrong, on it
virtually pleads guilty of attempting to
mislead the public. The writer in the
Times has undoubtedly been guilty of at
tempting to deceive his reader, he has
therefore got into this dialemma with his
eyes wide open, and the best way in the
world to get out Of the difficulty, is to own
up the corn frankly. All attempts to pet
tifog around the point will only make his
discontinue appear the more conspicuous
by attracting the attention of the public
That the bullionists are playing desperate
game, when they attempt to mislead the
people upon such matters of vital import
ance, must now be apparent to all These
robbers seem to have lost all ideas of fair
ness and honesty.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
A Noteworthy Example.
The following announcement explains

The following announcement explains
itself
| have been invited by the secretary of war
to nominate a legally qualified candidate for
appointment as Cadet to the United States
Militery Academy from this, Seventh con-
gresslonal district of Illinois, who must be at
West Point not later than the 9th OF Au-
gust 1875 Competitive examination having
been adopted in numerous instances with re-
suits satisfactory to all parties concerned. l
Will appoint a board for the examination of
candidates to meet at the Clifton house, OF
tawa La Sale county, 1T % o'clock, p. IN,
Friday, the 9th day Of August, 1878, before
which all applicants will present themselves
0r examination.
Applicants must be residents Of the district.
The age for admission Of Cadets to the
academy is between II and - years. Can
dldates must be at least five feet in height
and free from any infections immoral dis
order, and generally from any deformity,
disease OF intirmty which may render them
unfit for military service They must be well
versed in reading, writing including Orthog-
raphy, and in arithmetic, and have a knowl-
edge of the elements Of English grammar, of
descriptive geography, particularly of our
own country, and of the history of the United
States.
The examinations in all these branches will
he most thorough, and natural ability and
manifest aptitude for acquiring and applying
knowledge will take precedence of more
scholastic finish and readiness Of answer to
formal problems. CAMPBELL.
La Sale, Ills, July 18th, 1875
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
FROM MICHIGAN.


To the Editor Of the woRENeNAS's ADVOCATE.
PoNTIAc, July %, 1873.
Your refusal to denOunce the Cincinnati
Conference in advance was the right
course. Let us wait until we see the re-
suits. Many good labor reformers take
an interest i'll the movement, and if no
harm. There are already too many labor
organizations, and if an idea OF plan can
be put forth that will consolidate them in
to one body, based on some central vital
principle, it is just what is needed All
our platforms tacitly yield pre- aminence "a
capital, and leave labor III bondage. We
beg and pray in vain, year after year, for
what union and consolidation would enable
us to demand and take We are not
united because our platforms good though
they are, lack the great idea Of indie
pendent labor, which the souls Of the mas
SEES are instinctively Growing for
As the Cincinnati conference does not
represent any particular union or organi-
cation, it cannot bind such to any particu-
lar course Of action. All it can do is to
send forth principles, and advise action
Every labor organization is left free to act
as it may think best. 1t has power to
dictate anything A conference Of indie
pendent thinkers seems to be Just the place
to elicit light and truth, and this is what the
masses need.
Your Cleveland correspondent thinks
that interest on money loaned is right. 1t
no doubt has been necessary in the past,
on account Of defective financial arrange
ments, but the effects seen in connection
with interest proclaim it to be a giant
wrong. As labor is the parent Of all
wealth, it is plain that he who acquires
wealth without labor abstracts just SO
much from those who work. All interest
is the giving Of something for nothing. 1t
is simply payment for the pririlege IF tcork-
ina. What has interest ever done for la
Dor Nothing. What has labor done
through the payment Of interest : He has
reared places in all directions, covered
the land with railroads and manufactures,
erected cities without numbers, and to-day |
feeds vast armies Of idlers and useless |
spectators and drones. A good portion
Of labor's impoverishment comes from In
terest. Is not any usage wrong which
produces such disastrous results for labor
How many farms and lots and homes has
labor lost through interest II perpetual
toll and serfdom be the heritage OF labor,
then in interest is right, for it acccmplishes
this.
Our experience with gIeenbacks has let
in food Of light on the interest question,
and shows us how to avoid the payment Of ]
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

The coal miners Of st. Clair county, Ill,
are apparently on the eve of strike.
They have been working during the Sum
mer at two cents a bushel, but have COM
menced holding indignation meetings and
agitating the proposition to strike. Geo.
Kingdom, the President of the State As
ISOLATION Of Miners, has called meeting
in West BellevilIe for Thursday evening,
at which the situation will be canvassed.
PITTSBURGH, Pa.-The nerican Manu-.
faturer says The coal trade continues
very quiet and in an Unsatisfactory con-
dition, and will continue so until naviga-
ton is resumed, Of which there is some
prospect at the present writing. The
quantity booked and ready to move as
soon as there is water, is large, estimated
in round numbers at twelve million bush
els, and as might be expected, operators
who have so much of their capital locked
up in these black diamonds, are very anxi-
Gus for water. 1t would not only benefit
the coal merchant, but the entire commu-
nifty. The coke market continues substan-
italy as noted at the date Of our last re
port while business is not as brisk as it
was in May or June, it is about all that
can reasonably be expected under existing
circumstances. The ending of the coal
strike in the eastern part of the state has
curtailed the demand very considerably, as
coke was largely substituted in place Of
coal during the lockout but with only a
moderate supply and limited production,
prices are maintained g 50,a 81 10 per
ton, delivered on cars in Pittsburgh. There
il a large quantity booked here and ready
to move az soon az there is water
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

A correspondent writing from Spring
field, on the 22d, says ''We have gained
our point in regard to the reduction,
Barclay went to work to-day. North
Shaft and Junction 90 to work tomorrow
at our old rates, cents per bushel. ."
This is good news, and goes to prove that
the employers are beginning to understand
that protracted struggles are mutually dis
advantages.
We regret to learn that there is one of
the bosses disposed to be little obstinate,
and is led away by the very foolish, but
too previlant ideas, that unless he succeeds
in reducing the mems wage they and not
he, is running his concerns. He is one of
those generous gentlemen, who like to be
generous at the expence of others. He
has made proposition to his hands, which
if accepted would bring them down to less
than 3 cents per bushel while his neigh
bors are paying four, and realizing hand
some profit on their investments. But
this Dogberry illustrates how a man can
be ''penney-wise and pound foolish"
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
New York State Cigar Makers Union.

At meeting Of the New York Cigar
Makers Union recently held in Utica the
following officers were elected
President-John J. JUNO, of SYRIA
cuse.
Vice resident-M d. Plate, Of New
York City, and +. Miewarde, Of Roches-
ter.
Secretary Charles Radeck, of Utica.
Assistant Secretary Henry Budd of
Brooklyn.
Representative to the international
Union-John J. JUNO.
The Union adopted the following mem
orial to congress
We, the cigarmakers Of the State Of New
York, in convention assembled, very re-
spectfulIy submit to the Honorable the
Senate and House Of Representatives OF
the United States, the following petition,
and respectfully ask that it be received and
the proposition thoroughly Investigated.
We are confident that thorough investigs-
ton will demonstrate the fact that great
injustice has been done to the manufAc-
turer and to the maker of cigars by the
existing internal revenue laws. The law
as it now stands prohibits the sale of to-
bacco by the wholesale dealer in quantities
less than hogshead, case or bale. He is
not permitted to break bulk, nor can he
sell to any person except licensed tobacco
or cigar manufacturer. The tobacco grow
er is prohi bited from selling his crop other
wise than in hogshead or case or selling or
giving away tobacco except to licensed
dealer or manufacturer. The result Is
that the entire tobacco trade IL fast grow
ing into an immense monopoly controlled
by small number of large dealers and
manufacturers, who Cypress the former at
one end of the line, and the workmen at
the other, while the public is charged high
prices. The retail dealer in tobacco is
crushed by the veritable iron clad provis-
ion. He may pay $500 for his license, and
If, in the course of the year, his ssale |
amount to more than 81 900, he has to pay |
a revenue tax of fifty cents for every dol |
lars worth of tobacco sold by him over |
that amount. The consequence is that the |
retail dealer in leaf tobacco has been forced |
wholly out of existence, and here is the |
reason why journeymen cigar makers favor |
chance in this respect Formerly, thous-
ands OF people in the country male com
Portable living BY manufacturing cigars in
small way, buying from fifty to one hun
dred pounds of tobacco at q time and
working 1t up at home. These men, who
generally kept small cigar stores in the
poorer sections of cities and in country
towns, were compelled to quit business en-
tirelv or to become journeymen, since it
was beyond their power to buy leaf tobacco
BY the case or bale. We claim that this
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
Labor Reform Convention.

4 convention Of the Labor Reform party
will be held in Insurance Hall, Worcester,
Wednesday. September Is, 1873, commenc-
I'M at II a. m.
All labor organizations, societies ard un-
IONS. are invited to send Delegates.
Delegates may also be chosen at any meet
inz u workingmen ur workmgwomen.
All persons ia sympathy with the labor
movement are invited to be present.
A platform viii be adopted and nomina-
tious for state and other officers made, unless
otherwise ordered BY the convention.
Cooperation. money a. affecting labor,
factory legislation. wages and hours of labor,
are among the topics u be considered by the
convention.
A mass meeting viii be held in the same
place On the evening Of September l5.
II VI. CHNvBEELIN, Chairman
Mass Labor Reform state Committee.
GEO +. Mon ELL, Secretary.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
LABOR ITEMS.

The Bethel, Portland, Main Steam Mill
Company failed to get their lumber INTO
their mill.
Labor in thel stove foundries, Of Troy,
seems to be on the increase, and hopes
are now entertained by manufacturers Of a
good fall trade.
The labor difficulty at Chatham, New
Brunswick, continues. Neither the mill
owners or the society men will give in.
Special constables have been summoned
The Fall River manufacturers have
agreed to reduce wages the first Monday
in August 10 the rates paid before the late
strike, and to maintain the reduction if
necessary by general lock out.
The headquarters Of the National
Grange are to be located at Louisville, Ky.
This is a good point in the heart Of the
great Mississippi valley and accessible both
by river and railroad. No better selection
could have been made.
The Hooksett, n H., Manufacturing
Co., have declared dividend, and report
a satisfactory business. In the last six
months they turned out 2, SOC, 900 yards Of
cloth, and they have 10000 spindles and
500 looms now running.
At Lowell some Of the smaller wooden
mills are likely to stop for vacation within
few weeks. The cashmere mills d
Strong a Schneider, however, are full D
work. Talbot's mills, at North Bilerica
are to stop for a short time -Bosto'
Journal
The Boston Journal says that the clocl
shop of the Brass and Copper Company
in AnsonIa, Conn, shut down Saturda,
for four weeks. This in pursuance o
an agreement entered INTO by the clocl
manufacturers Of the State to suspend op
erations for that length Of time
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
the MINER

The Changers Of Mississippi are about
to build cotton factory,
Trade is very bad at Biddeford, and the
mills are running short time at reduced
wages.
Waterford Mills at Blackstone, Mass.
will shut down for q month Aug LIST. 500
hands will be idle.
One Of the richest deposits of camel
coal In the country has Just been discov-
cred near Bay City, Mich.
No shipments of coal to foreign ports
from Baltimore last week. The total this
year is only 28,O29 tons, against 90, sl2
tons In 1874 to the same time.
The bricklayers of New York recently
resolved that "We claim it TO be the duty
Of government to furnish employment for
the unemployed in times Of depression of
trade"
Still more coal fields have been discov-
cred in Utah. The iron and coal interets
Of that Territory are destined to become,
in time, the leading source of its pros
perty.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31
Only a Glass Of Beer.

A glass of beer-forenoon and afternoon
in the course Of year amounts to
$50. 5O-enough to pay an average months
rent, and also for every labor journal pub
hshed in the United States. And yet how
many men there are who can afford to
spend more than twice this sum for beer
or alcoholic beverages, who can't afford to
pay FIVE cents per week for a reform news
paper. No matter how hard the times are
a stray ten cents can generally be found
whenever or wherever glass of whisky is
desired. There is evidently something
rotten in Denmark.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

THE pensioned lackies who turn the
crank of bank organs are getting jubilant
over the prospect of marketing our five
per cent. gold bonds in Europe, at the
same time these writer's are doing all in
their power from preventing our own peo-
pie from taking $50 currency bends
This fact shows that these editors have the
interests Of the money-lending shylock at
heart, and that they are bitterly op-
posed to the interests of the American
people Their rejoicing over the prospect
of selling 800 bonds, under these cir
cumstances, is only hollow mockery
These bank organ editors are the peoples
worst enemies.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-31

ITHcA, July g. 1873.
Fred Bronner has made application to be.
come a member Of tins union. lie claims to
have been a former member Of Westtield
union. j. ii. PRAGER,
Box Il57. Sec. Union No IL.
LIScoLN, Neb., July Goth, 1873.
At regular meeting held BY Cigar Makers
Union, No. l43 Of Lincoln, the following Of
hcers were elected for the ensuing term
President-R Wolfe
Treasurer Wolenberg
Recording, Financial and Corresponding
Secrstary-Earnest Deubel
Yours &c,
Box GA. EARNEST DEUEL.
TRoxro, July 2lst, 1875.
At our last regular meeting the following
officers were elected for the ensuing term
President Samuel Bawden.
Vice President OCOnnOr.
Financial Secretary John Meehan.
Recording Secretary McCabe.
Corresponding Secretary-Fred. J. Wood.
Treasnrer-tieorge Fletcher.
Union No. p meets every second Wednes-
day OF each month, in the Trades Assembly
hall
George Herbst, who halls from Oshkosh,
and Joseph Coulter, have made applications
for membership in this union.
Yours respectfully,
RRED. J. WooD, Cor. Sec,
Box 655 Tronto, Canada.