The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-04


would II may be regarded as certain that the ter.
rIDle ana exnausting struggle between capital and
labor IN this part Of the coal region Is very near
It's termination The men exhibtI disposition 10
talk over matters with the operators more than
they have ever done for months past. II may be
remarked IN passing. that the operators are quite
as anxious for conference as the men are, and
wnen negotiations begin between ocAigerent
parties Is pretty certain indication that terms
OF peace are not very far on. To-day the miners
have been IN consultation with Mr.. Charles
Parrish, during which there was very free
interchange or views on the situation
The committee appointed 10 confer with
Mr. Parrish represented the sixteen mines owned
by the Lehigh and WnkesDarge Coal Company, OF
which Mr. Parrish is president, and the discussion
was mainly upon petty grievances, claimed 70
exist at the different collierles. But the greatest
good humor prevailed throughout. There was
considerable frankness manifested on both sides,
indicating that the feelings we're cordial between
Mr. Parrish and mis- employees.
PROPOSITION OF MR.. PARISH.
That gentleman finally submitted TO the COM
mittee proposition that he would pay the men
on returning to work, averaging the same as now
paid by the Delaware, Lackawanna and western
Railroad Company, the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany and the Delaware ana Hudson Canal Com
pany, remarGlug az the same time mat however
much ne might be disposed 70 give them he
1874 basis IL was beyond his power TO DO SO.
ana II tile men did not see Ill TO accept
tue reduction, there cou!d be no work Tor them
during the present year. Tue committee listened
attentyely and respectfully 10 Mr.. Parrisns re-
marks ana then lett tile ollce 70 report 10 meet
ing OF miners awaiting 10 learn the result Of their
mission. The interest IN this conference on the
part OF the miners was manifested oy some TWO
or three men occupying the streets n 'front.' OF Mr.
Parrisn's Office during us continuance. mat the
great pubic may better understand the exist
M troubles IN the anthracite coal nelds,
the following brief history or the causes which
have lei TO them may not be unlnteresting, es-
pecially inst at THIS juneture IN the AFFAIRS OF
both parties. About the beginning Of the
present year the large companies OF the
anthracite coal districts. and many of the
smaller ones, formed combination having
for its object the keeping the market price OF
coal at a fixed standard, and reduction OF az
least ten per cent IN the cost OF It's production.
or the justice or injustice OF this movement we
snail not now stop TO consider but deal with tae
situation Just as we lind It. Tue time and clrcum-
stances were nlgnly favorable 90 sucn a move
ment, the market was glutted the men were dis
organized trade and commerce much depressed
on account OF the panic ana other causes not
nign ruined our iron interests and many other In
dustries drawing largely upon our coal produc-
ton. Added to tins Has the probability that the
men were not able TO endure d long suspension,
ana the almost certainty that at least one-haf Ot
the men would accept the terms oil Inc reduction,
thereby enabling the companies to supply the
demand and make money out or the suspension by
the steady rise Ia the prices Of coal.
THE OPERATORS COMBINATION.
AS 10 the nature OF this combination we md
Ffrst-lt provided for general reuuction OF
wages IN and about the mines on all labor OF at
least ten per cent.
Second-Mhicnever companies were idle no con.
cessions were TO be MADE by tue company under
penalty OF heavy forfeiture, varlously estimated
at Il ON $50, 900 TO $500 900.
Thtrd-Ihe companies working 70 supply coal to
those idle at cost under the reduction and a
royalty OF ten per cent per ton on all coal mined
over and ABOVE the apportionment TO each COM
pany
F0uYth-The combination TO render every as
sstauce financially and otherwise, in protecting
ald Ia every way consistent with the interest OF all
concerned In the success Of the movement. Now.
whle 1t may be true that the companies not work
ing losing money by the suspension, IL must be
admitted that tue terms OF agreement binding he
combination gives them no redress, hence we be-
lleye that Charles Parrish spoke only the truth
when he tod the men that However much he
might be disposed TO give them the 1874 basis, it
was be yond MS power TO do So and n the men did
not accept the reduction there could be work
for them during the present year" Here we see
perfect organIzaton on the part Of the companies,
with a unanimIty or action never before attained
In any contest with their employees.
THE FAILURE OF THE STRIKE.
The men OF the Pennsylvania Coal Company;
Delaware, Lackawanna and western Railroad
Company. and Delaware and HUDSON Canal Com
pany seem 10 have comprenended a. the oegtn-
Ming that contest at this time would prove
failure unless the suspension was general, and
success doubtful, even then, under the depressed
their sanguine companions. The men at WORK
are contributing literally Tor the support or those
VINO are ldle but IL may De promised that when
work Is resumed IN The lower coat nelds they
assistance under the bond. The combination
agreed that only so much coal Is 10 lie produced
this year, and the companies working have very
nearly their allotment already.