Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-08-15
THE CUMBERLAND MINERS.

The miners in the Cumberland IMaryand) re.
gion have been very unhappy recently. num-
ber Of meetings have been held at frostburg, Nd,
and at other points, bu. nothing definite has
iranspircd. More work, seems to be tho chief de-
maud made by the miners, or an advance Of
fifteen cents per ton and better weight.
We iss-a from the Cumberland Neps, that, at
the last meeting, vote was taken, each mine
having one vote, with the following results Eight
mine. wero in favor Of sixty I've cent?, three in
favor Of ifty.Gvo cents, aud one for fifty cents.
There were nine mines not represented. They
being unable to agree upon set rates the miners
adjourned to meet on the iih inst the result Of
which VIC did not learn.
In connection with the wages question we give
below au extract from the Baltimore Sun, Of July
Sls,, in which its reporter interviewed Mr. Mayer
President Of the Consolidation Coal Company.
The views expressed similar to those expressed
heretofore by tho officers Of other companies. We
give space to Nc. Mayors opinions, because just
now they have a bearing upon the movement now
being made by the miners. The San says -
"Mr. c. y, Mayer, President Of the Consolida-
ton Coal Company, the most Important In the
Cumberland region, said 10 conversation that In
teuuption in miuing at this junciure would be
particularly unfortunate TIE railroad strike has
left the market bare Of bituminous coal, and for
the next two or three wockst the miners and railroad
men who now need chance to earn full wages
would have as much as they could do to supply
the demand. The Cleardcld miners are in opera
tOn, and coal from there is moving to tho sea-
board, while the Cumberland miners are idle and
demanding an increase Of wages, which there Is
no possibility Of their receiving.
"Before the war, Mr.. Mayer says, Cumberland
miners worked for rs, 20, 25 and 80 cents a ton.
During the war period ofhigh prices they received
75 cents, and after that, aud until last February,
were paid G5 cents. Formerly, the Broad Top
mines were the only ones from which bituminous
coal came in competition with the Cumberland,
and the latter had control Of the markets. But
after while the Cleardeld region was developed,
and since then Cumberland coal has met most
active competitor. while the Cumberland miners
were receiving 65 cents ion, those In the Clear
Geld region were working for 40 cents in siS-foot
vein, aud Clear6eld was undeTselling Cnmberlard d
in the market.
Early in 1871 Il was found necessary to cut
down the tolls for carrying Cumberland coal and
the miners were asked to work lor 30 cents ton.
They struck against The reduction, aud In the
month they were idle Ceafheld coal ruled the
markets. and 900 tons Of Ii were sold. When
the miners at length accepted the situation the
Cumberland region bad los, many good custom
ers, and Clearhcld has since been pat down lower,
and the competition u sharper than ever. While
the Cumberland miners we're yesterday talking
about striking the Clearhcld agents In Baltimore,
10 prosecuting their legitimate business, we're hard
at work trying 10 sell their coal to consumers and
were Offering to deliver any time aud At all places.
Mr.. Mayer further says the great mass Of
miners undcrstand the situation and are anxious
to work, but few discobtenied men have more
influence than a hundred conservative people.
! The men Of one Of the companies have offered 10
work for 40 cents a ton, II steady work be given
them. i,.i this y nat possible; because there 10
not the demand tor coal to justify u"
The foregoing interview elueidaies the fac, lha,
until our region began TO be developed, the Cum
bsrland people bad everything their own way.
Bat now, when by the laws Of trade, competition
in labor and production Is The rule, the cunber-
land operators aud miners labor to make them
selves and their neighbors uncomfortable.
Ith a fact, as patent as our personal existence,
and e,efy man possessed Of BIT Of common sense
the si1e Of q mustard reed, ihoulr know, that no
manufacturer who eonsuincs large quantity Of
coal will patfoni1e a field where "sirikes" are
the rule. whore eonfusion reisns, eomfor, and
prosperity uro igpo.ed. The operator and miner
Who does not comprehend this simple truth had
better adopt some other ealllns-enlIa with Gen
erai IIo ward. and help him to exinguish Joseph
and bis rowing band Of indians on The plains