Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-09-06
LESSON or THE COAL BREAK.


Those who assume that the sudden
and total break of the coal combina-
tion is the mere result OF the common
disagrcements between great rival cor
porations, little understand either the
causes which have led to il or the far
reaching significance of the act itself.
If ii were the cbullition of discomfort
that felt srong enough to enforce bet
ter terms in the struggle for corporate
supremacy, we might look for the res
toration OF the combination any day,
The mutual necessities of the case
would sooner or later compel the sub
mission Of the weak or the concession
OF the strong, and it would bo simply
a question OF how much would be sac
rificed by the belligcrcnt parties before
they would unite again TO control both
production and prices. The issue in.
volved in the competitive production
and transportation of. anthracite coal
has, however, reached far beyond the
control of railroad strategy. For sev-
eral years the amount mined and of
necessity thrown upon the market has
been in excess of the demand, for great
corporations, with capital aggrogating
hundreds of millions, have developed
resources for the production of coal far
beyond the ability of the country TO
consume it. The lines for speeding it
to market have been perfected at en-
ormous cost, and are now langushing
for want of traffic. Mines have been
opened and completed in all their ex-
pensive appointments, and their pro
duct is heaped up upon their banks.
Thousands of skilled laborers, untitled
for any other occupation, have been
gathered in the anthracite coal belt,
and their arms hang in idleness and
their homes are breadloss The capi.
tai in railroads and mines, and the
labor that is anxious TO pour the wealth
Of the mountains into the lap of com-
merce and trade, arc all dependent
upon a single product, and that is para.
lyzed in all its vital channels of pros
pcrity. The hum of the factory is
silent the fame of the furnace and
forge has gone out and painful soli-
tude usurps the place of the heartsome
music Of varied and prosperous in
dustry. Thrift has taken the wings
of the morning from every centre of
created wealth, and the son of toll and
the local trader and the prineely mcrch-
ant all alike feel the pinching distress
that is surely drifting to misfortune
and want. For three long years men
have struggled and hoped, but each
spring and autumn has but moclSed
the promise of relief, and every day
has recorded its list of those who have
fallen in the unequal conflict, while to-
day more are trembling on the verge
OF bankruptcy than at any one time in
all the past history of tho country
When the economy that starvation
teaches prevailing among tens of thou
sands of our laborers, and with the
severcst frugality enforced among
those who may be termed the com
Portable classes, the anthracite coal
fields will be drawn upon only for what
actual necessity demands. With the
idle mills and factories and furnaces
will be innumerablc unlightcd stoves
and CRATES, and from all the countless
sources of consumption comes the same
sad story of diminished income or alb
solutc poverty.
IL was the imperious law OF supply
and demand asserting its absolute man.
date over all the cunning of capital
that has broken the coal combination,
and its restoration is practical i'm.
possibility. 1t may be attempted, and
may even attain partial success but
the same causes which made the Board
of Control adjourn without day on
Wednesday last, will only again assert
their dcspotic will with fresh omnipo-
tcncc. The simple truth Is, that the
capital and labor now employed in the
production OF coal cannot be compen-
sated. Capital cannot receive diyi.
dends and labor cannot obtain the hire
necessary for its mere support. There
can be no diversion of either into other
channels of enterprise, and the issue
must be carried into the temple of
death. 1t is the old story of the starv.
ing crew, and some must die that the
Others may feed upon them to live
The Lehigh Valley Railroad felt strong.
est, and it has simply accepted the dire
necessity that presented itself. 1t was
the athlete that carried its undue share
Of hapless industry and capital at
fearful cost to itself, and it has finally
paused and called the dcath.roll. And
II has done wisely; wisely for itself,
wisely for its less fortunate associates
md wisely for the great trade in which
It's whole interests arc conferred. II is
sad alternative, but delay would but
postpone misfortune to swell its flood
'idc when it should come as come il |
must. The many who are to fall be. I
ore stubborn fate will doubtless re.
'roach those who have hastenoi what |
rrcvocablo laws must bring with nc
distress three or six months ,
renee. But with an insane financial {
'olicy that 6aunts the lie of forced re. |
umption two years hence, when every
lay belittles values and diminisbes the O
bility OF the nation to resume, there Q
aust be steadily increasing distress a
nd deepening distrust, and the sooner 4
he halt is called tho narrower will be 0
he track of destruction. Thcorizo as c
70 may, an impoverished people can 2
ot consume surplus products. With i
ally five years supply ofmanuiactured k
-on awaitino n marlrot. with o,,,o /,