The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-21
LABOR'S THROES.
Strikes Threatened in the Penn
sylvania Coal Fields.
MISCHIEF-MAKING IDLERS.
The Miners in the Lehigh Valley
Comparatively Quiet.
PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY.


CENTS ToN-MEErINo OF THE BRANCHES
Observation-Disclosures PROTESTS AGAINST A
sTRIKK-THE DECISION.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
PlrrsroN. Pa., August &c, 1877.
To-day the Pennsylvania Coal Companys men gave
their final decision upon the striking ISSUE and the
result Is unexpectedly unanimous not only not to
work upon the proposition Of the company,
but also TO handle pick and drill again until
advance OF cents tho ton is conceded. This Is
virtually asking for restoration OF wages the prices
ruling previous the last reduction. This. face OF
the act that the company anticipated the
ployes by informing them several days ago
that there would be no increase IN the
compensation. The meeting held in Pttston to-day
by the workingmen was attended by some nitcen
hundred belonging to the company and large repre-
sentation from other Idle works this section After
some considerable opposition 10 tho presence OF re-
porter, vote was taken and committee appointed to
aid the HERALD representative out oil camp, but i'm
nediatcly protest entered by some men OF sense.
and, on motion, the HERALD reporter was specially
Invited to seat with the officers. Patrick
Sweeney was elected president, Henry Martin vice
president and S. r. Seely secretary, all prominent
citizens of our city. The object OF tho meeting
fairly und briefly stated by the vice president to be to
ascertain the sentiment OF the majority Of the in
the company's employ In reference 10 accepting tho
proposition TO resume work at July prices Whenever
the company desire to order and TO leave tho ques
ton OF increase wages to the judgment OF the officers
The meeting gaining In numbers, and upon
suggestion Of tho president the meeting adjourned
temporarily, and divided up INTO what is known among
miners "branch" assemblies representing employees
Of each oollsry..
THE DECISION.
Half hour Of elaboration and the several divisions
again consolidated and listened to the report Of the
branch delegates instructed by their ''ButIvs"
breatblcss silence rcgned At this moment Thousands
OF hearts beat with varied hopes fears. To many
II was TO DO decision that wou1 bring sorrow aud
pangs OF regret. 10 others the chance OF once more
conses.ng with that almost unconquerable power,
csplta. Tho president slowly. The men
lislessy seated themselves upon the forest
Syes 41n tho and tn. r ' o
resumption only upon condition Of ten cents per ton
advance In wages ruling when they were invoiuntar'ly
No. head house The company have nineteen
coIlerles sixteen OF which held meetings to-day and
run s ne smpyS and REPORTED viii
go to work on July pr.ces but will not sign
the petition" No sna ia employees. demands
no. shalt, 154 employees reported Willingness to re-
mand ten cents per ton advance; No shalt, los en-
ploy6s demand cents per advance; No 10 SHAFT
vance; no y shalt i4l employees demand ten cents
per e,. ION advance; No. IL SHAFT ~ employees
2 slope, 1Ol employees, willing to resume
July prices; No. 4 slope, 13s employees, demand
demand ten cents per ton advance; Dawson's shalt,
l76 employees. demand ten cents per ton advance;
advance; stark's shaft, 222 employees, demand ten
cents per ton advance Tho last report having been
the to be in iavo. Of a strike for an advance.
TIE coNxTrTEy OF CONFERENCE
motion TO the effect that the branch delegates
should meet una from TIER number select tive, who
constitute q conference committee, to walt upon the
company and to advise the men OF the condition OF
matters was carried A miner then moved that there
be more meetings held until Inc committee had
received urances from the company that the ten
per cent asked for hsa been given The discussion Of
this subject elected the most enthusiastic anu earnest
action and speeches that occurred during the day.
Mr. Barley protested against suspension OF con-
ferences and drew f0rth the depunciaOn Of hundreds
OF people He proceeded to say that tho demand
would most certainly be refused aud that weeks,
better perhaps than the majority oil those he
saw around him but he cared not 10 throw away the
60 in The mines poorer, weaker man, and defeated in
the contest.
WORDS OF REMoSsrRAxcE
President Sweeney echoed tho sentiments, but
observed that he would abide by the decision Of the
majority OF his fellow mon.
Vice President Martin rose, and, with considerable
emotion. deprecated the action OF the meeting I'll
about me-" said he, 'huLdreds who know
not any more able to sustain this strike than au.
but they have taken action to deprive themselves OF the
necessaries OF lie. would do anything honorable to
get twenty-five or hity cents advance, but am well
convinced That II Is impossible. l have nine little
ones In my family. and II tho merchant
whom deal with should shut down on mo could not
strike is protractsd shall not be able TO put bread
heir mouths for three days. and there good
many around mac now listening who know that 1t Is
also true with them"
ABSOLUTE wRErcHEDSEss.
The response he met with was That he was starving
working and that he might a. well strive idle. Your
reporter felt that there not little truth in the
marks OF the Vice President. Within ten fec;
him stood a young, able bodied man.
for some cause unknown had no shirt and de-
pended upon coat tutoned cioso around him to hiae
his nakedncss. This not the only instance OF
Indebtedness conld not help contrasting the per-
soral external appearance of these men, as they sat
stood around With that OF the same men during the
long strko OF 1869 They are tho same men, working
for the same company, and now contendng for the
they all were comfortably and neatly dressed,
aud were fat and rugged. Then there was demand
earned dollars laid aside for an emergency. Now the
keeping thcr clothes together by the greatest
economy and skiliul housewifery, aud many poor
man is badly shod ami thousands consider the smell!
OF piece OF fresh inca; rarity and luxury. Men
said to-day that their regular food Tor months had
Tho demand Tor coal is not producing any very
marked rise the prices II the figures Of Mr. Gowcn
arc TO be believed The wages ruling Tor many months
past have been scarcely sufficient TO board single
man and keep his clothes Clean WHAT, then must
be the amount Of engineering necessary TO sustain
monthly recsiptsY Now there arc mono who nave put
hsde and store credit IL waning. While there
reasonable hope Tor advance IN wages the as
sistng hand OF the merchant was extended, but It's
withdrawal is feared under existing circumstances
CREDIT.
Merchants have expressed themselves TO this effect
to-day. 'Wo cannot stand another strike and give
extended credit Is the remark Of many Every busi-
Less man hopes that a compromise will he effected.
The men, however. seem determined to continue In
the path thcy have marked out Until tho snow flies.
The crops have been good and with the exception OF
meat and -four may be quoted cheap.
This afternoon the dcegates meeting from the
"branches took place. The Conference Committee
appointed and waiting on the com panieh officials Sup
erntcndcnts Dryden and Law, presented tho following
communication:-
PirTsr0N. Pa. August 20 1877.
% riik OvFiCkHs PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY
uESrLkxkN We tho under sigued committee, appointed
BY tho employees OF notify the
ciuson arrived A. do most respectfully submit the follow
Ing the resmt Ut their action which they demand
Ven cents on the ton. HENKY BRlMBLE
JOHN AkkSrkOkG,l
PATRICK DUPFY, tCommittee.
A [