New-York tribune., 1877-07-09
.LoLICY or coal COMPANIES.

FALLING INTO A PIT THAT MAS DIGGED FOR OTHERS
buying UP LANDS. OPENING MINIS, AND
BUILDING BREAKERS, FOR WHAT
TO me EditOr Of TAe Trtbune.
SIR: People sometimes dig pits for others
into wien they fail themselves. 1ms thK u the pre-
cse position which the coat corporations Of this re-
zion have fallen.
The evident aim Of these companies FOR years has been
o bring down the wages Of the employees THAT Is 10 say
She working men, not the ornamental ariici"l ana to
Keep them such state oi sulgcctlon that combined
resistance 10 the dictates ~ the companies however
oycrbearngl impossible. To accomplish his II ~
necessary to have a superibundance OF men and mine
openings So any they could throw large per
ccntag of their work. idle aud yet keep mp ihcr supply
Of coal for the market Tho drop II the mems wages was
begun as soon these two points were gained, ANA he's
been steadily and perslsteny carried out an the present
time and to-day the men poverty tcken-unahe TO
demand more wages and unable 10 move ont Of the region
Another point kept equal pcrinacy before their
yes bv these eorDorations has been the cppng or Mill
ing off a Independent smaller operators, ami To do tis
they have e billed up all lands that SEEMED in any way
key to foster independent operations, and this Las
j,en done without apparently the slightest thought hay
pg been gwen as to the length oi tne which would
oapse before these purchasco or leases s tie ease might
,,, could BE- made an available source ot Income
In carving these two points large amounts ~ cap
lal that would otherwise have been avaIsbe for The
legitimate objects Of business have been aGaorhd ana
stockholdcrs might find interesting object 81 inquiry
IN such point, as these The amount Of land for which
advance royalty being paid Tie length of time such
lands have been held Tie amount Of royalty paid
Tae probable time which the company expected TO
reach these lands and make them source Of inc"mc'
similar line Of inquiry might be pursued with refer
,ure 10 the lands leld in fee. Also, for instance, the
number of shafts other openings and breakers That
nave been sunk and built which have never been
p.r'ed: tho cost of such causs ami breakers; tie
lueu of limo they have BEEN in existence, %c. lHee
are several otter points tuat might pe haicd WIN
n til tp the stockholders: bug enough it present
Thai tic gccOmpl shmcut Ot tie Two points acidN re-
erred 10 II resulted in the lOckna u indefinite
,rrod a. LARGE amount OF otht rnlS ava ihlc capital
lud l ctinpnig companies To such an Atcnt "A, 10
uper hrr very eXisteCe Is iude pendent corporations
: 5ppareut. And yOd coupr With tIis l. c insane
e-iIo wb Ga has been mIni.e'ted tO Dut up OF 'sV i"
ri, - hlrh have utterly Improbable 50 cnlatluns
rom ihe nn And which have made necessary ihe
Iu.iay AZ Millions in makln- new connections Ch"m-
selves unprofi abi') to gave these purchaS, chance,
and tiat i OF becoming pa! ins loa.' n tir lhr
futurt.-eau WOudc ~ tuClr M huanciil
ruUdtioul The old addge, 9" FcSilHd teHle'-" Lasrn
,lowly" has formed lalt OF be governing pfhcple
n these cOrlOrauons, and the lesul Is before
tle public O-iay. Verify, IN carrying Out ihr
pJns they have tuemseS,s lacn lutV mo plt tnel nave
,tiegcd fOl the workingm1n
T,.re are otner points OF equal even greater I'M
rorrance which might aud winch possibly ray bu dis,
,s,co aud which would throw an additional sleaih 81
i-t az to the causes o. u" present uep e,Sed cdl"n
oI these coHplucs. separate aud apart F III those ts-
.ug Tfc geucr.i. Il pr'sslln of The country. loDDlE
sciukJH, Ieial.. Junt ID. 1871