The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-09-27
CORPORATION TYRANNY.

CORPORATION TYRANNY.
We all know that labor suffers
especially in the State of Pennsyl
vania. Here we have specimen OF
the acts which have ruined the busi
ness of the country. We quote from
a Scranton (Pa.) correspondent of the
Philadelphia Times:
'sThe Lehigh Valley road has set
an example Of extortion and injustice
which is having a marked effect on
the status Of affairs, and which has
aroused more sympathy on benalf of
miners than any one thing. The
smaller operators, not interested in
the great companies, but who work
on their own hook and control their
own affairs, are encouraged by the
advance in coal caused by the dead.
lock between miners and larger com
panies, and, taking advantage of it,
have given their miners small ad-
vance, as they have perfect right to
do, without saying to the larger cor
porations ''by your leave.' Mr.. Davis,
an operator on Warrior Run, gave his
miners ten per cent. advance and they
went to work. Two of the smaller
operators at Pittston also effected a
compromise with their men on the
same basis, the advance in coal justi-
tying them in the increase. These
parties were shipping to Buffalo, their
only outlet in that direction being the
Lehigh Valley road. Now what did
this corporation do but Immediately
advance rates of transportation to
Buffalo eighty cents ton, thus ef-
fectually stopping the work of the
operators I! Of course, the operators
had to stop work, as the eighty-cent
advance took off their profit and more,
and three collieries are to-day idle in
consequence. The miners and owners
came to an understanding agreeable
to both, and work is about to be re-
sumed, when the railroad company
puts 4 stop to it in this style. Is not
this a ''strike' on the part of the
railroad, and very mean one too .
The object is to give no encourage
ment to those who advance the wages
OF miners and to crush out the small
operators for the benefit of the large.
1t is a blow at free labor. Here are
laborers and operators who come to
terms satisfactory to themselves,
which is matter entirely their own
business, and work is resumed and the
railroad stops it. Do you wonder
that this has aroused a degree of in
dignation against that corporation
which will require a good deal of sex
planation' to get out of! 1t is a
blow at free labor and at every inter-
est that thrives through free labor.
Indignation is by no means confined to
the small operators who are thus sum-
marily snuffed out, their works
stopped and their men idle
This is simply devilish. No wonder
such railroad corporations come to be
regarded as public enemies. SO much
is this the cause that the very farmers
in the vicinity Of Scranton are gratu-
itously supplying the relief stores of
the striking miners. A writer says:
"There are several miners relief
stores in and about Scranton. of which
have made mention in previous let
ters, and the farmers are certainly
doing liberal part towards supplying
them with potatoes and other farm
products. Relief committees go about
soliciting contributions, and miners
stand ready to dig potatoes on shares
whenever opportunity is offered.
These relief stores are worthy of sup
port. no matter what the merits of
the strike are, for they minister to
the sick, the helpless and the desti-
tute as well rs to striking miners. 1t
Is said that the farmers are ..intimi-
dated into giving, as they want to
keep on the side of miners, having an
eye to future consequences. But I
beIeve that there is more SANDER
than truth In this. Many farmers, as
we'll as others, refuse point blank to
give, and swear when relief COM
comes to them. They do
not appear to be afraid. or suffering
from intimidation.