Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-07-06
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
A Strong Plea for Low Prices


crease of their shipments, there is a
great scarcity of vessels at George
town, thereby diminishing our con-
signments by canal, and our output
generally.
What effect the recent reduction
made in transportation by the Balti-
mole and Ohio railroad company will
have in relieving these troubles we
are unable to say. We hope, how
ever, wholesome one.
We are pleased to note in this con-
nection that the New Central coal
company are now pushing their i'm
provements to connect with their re-
Gently acquired property, the Wood
and Mcfarland tract, with the view
of largely increasing their shipments
from their Midlothian mine which will
be Of special interest to this immedi-
ate vicinity.
In view of the facts, that the miners
and other employees in and about the
mines, have SO generously acceded to
the demands made by the companies
for q large reduction in wages, aud
that now the kindliest feelings exist
between the companies and their en-
ployees, we have indulged the hope
that after the adjournment of Con-
gress confidence in business circles
would be restored; that there would
be a general revival of trade that the
various branches Of industry would
be actively employed, all of which
would lead to an increased demand
| Tor our coal, and largely increase our
output for the remainder of the sea-
son, that if our merchants and trades
men generally will act in their deal
ings in true sympathy with the wol X
in people. the year may yet close
leaving Us pros nerous and happy
1t must be borne in mind, however,
that there has been a reduction in
the prices paid for labor in all the
various branches Of industry Of fully
fifty per cent, reducing our purchas-
ing capacity to that extent. Or, in
other words, we have lost fifty per
cent. of our capital, taking the
ground we DO, that the worlingmen
alone furnish our capital. In our
opinion, therefore, it becomes neces-
sary for cur merchants and business
men generally to make a correspond
ing reduction in their profits, other
wise nothing short Of misery and dis
treas will follow.
If the men who delve in the bowels
Of the earth, who work under the
scorching sun, the piercing wind
and the pelting storm, are required
for the benefit Of oil, to live on fifty
Fer cent. less now than they did yea1
or two ago, why, then, can't the mer-
chants tradesmen, and business men
generally, do likewise, and thereby
relieve portion of this burden that
is forced On our working people
Suppose our people d. have full work
from now to the close of the season
who among them will have saved
enough to support them until the
opening Of trade next season? We
think but few, if any, and why
Because they have to pay too large g
profit on all the articles that are
necessary for their subsistence. While
we admit there IS large shrlnkagt
in the first cost Of nearly, if not al
goods, yet there is no shrinkage in the
per cent. profit made by our retailers
What is there in the price of whea
that justifies the charge of four cent
per pound for flour? We think ther.
Is nothing beyond the desire to give
the workingnan as little as possible
for Lis hard-earned dollar. Then
again, look at the price of bacon a
all our centres both East and West
and add to its cost at any Of tne cen
tres the transportation to this point
Is there anything to justify ten cent
per pound for bacon sides beyond tn
desire to tax labor from forty to fift,
per ceny. OF what il leeds upon
That is the only conclusion we cal
arrive at. Our special reference t
-four and bacon is no exception to tn
general pr rnciple of taxation in th
shape OF large profits, which ramide
everv departm mt of the mercantil
field here.
1t is an admitted fact, that unde
any circumstance this is the most eA
pensve coal field to live in on thi
continent Then. how much nor