The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-03-15

pose. To properly understand the object Of
the meeting to-day it will he necessary to
refer to the meeting Of miners, representing
the anthracite regions, held in Hazleton, on
the l 1st Of March. At that meeting the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted;
Resolved That, in order to have better
understanding among all who are interested
in the mining of coal, we hereby extend
cordial invitation and request to the operat-
ors of the anthracite region tn send delegates
or representatives. to the meeting, To be held
at Harrisburg on March lth, and then and
there, in conjunction with delegates Of the
miners Of the anthracite region, perfect some
plan for the better protection of the coal
trade in the future. Our interests are iden-
tcal, and, unless common cause aud united
action are taken, starvation, destitution and
ruin are inevitable. Any proposition or
plan any one identified with the coal min
ing may have to offer for the more thorough
lv systemi2ing the different coal interests for
the amount properly to be shipped 10y the
several regions, in order to give each region
an equitable aud legitimate tonnage Of all
coal shipped, for the restriction of tonnage,
whether at the mines and by miners in the
number of cars they may deem proper to load
daily, or by theoperators us to the best meth
cd of regulating shipments, will be accepted
by this body, and may be presented to the
officers of the district wherein it may origi-
nate, to be by them forwarded.
Resolved, That we recommend to all
miners and laborcrs Of the anthracite coal
region suspension OF mining, commencing
on the 18th day of March next, to last as
long as may be deemed necessary or avail
nl1 l,yo n, Ia t,f nn Al a N
miners, or either, to be selected at the said
meeting in Harrisburg on March lth; here
by providing that this resolution shall be
subject to final determination at that meet
ing.
The delegates who assembled to day were
from the counties of Schuylkill, Northum-
berland, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon and
Dauphin, and they represented principally
the old NJ. and L. B. A., of which Hugh
McGarvey is acting President, and who was
also President to-day. The delegates met
in secret session, and very generally discuss
ed the merits of the resolutions given above,
aud the sentiment was general that it would
not be advisable to recommend a general
strike. No delegates were present to re-
present individual operators, though num-
Der were expected, but letters were received
from several stating that they were willing
to cooperate in any movement calculated to
advance the interest of the operators and
miners. After a prolonged discussion the
following preamble and resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, Inasmuch as the individual
coal operators Of the anthracite coal region
manifest strong desire to force u suspen
sion of operations throughout the whole re
gion, and as they have failed To send dele
gates to the meeting with full authority TO
act for them; therefore
Resolved, That, until the eutire interest
of the anthracite coal trade are fully repre-
sented at joint meeting, including opera
tors and miners, no further action will be
taken looking IN restriction of the OUTPUT
Of coal in the several regions.
Another meeting of the delegates was held
this evening, and, after long dicussion, an
address to the miners was adopted 1t says
the presant condition Of the coal trade, which
indicates utter ruin to all concerned, sug-
gests to miners and laborers a remedy in
the form Of organized combination of opera
tors and working men. The individual coal
companies, who are anxious to render their
assistance to restore the trade to a paying
basis, failed to cooperate with US in any
systematic method looking to immediate re-
lief 1t is apparent that the great corpora
tions have obtained absolute sway over those
employed by them, and thus prevent their
cooperation with us at this time. There
fore, we suggest, as the only remedy, a thor
ough and complete organization of the
miners and laborers throughout the entire
region.
Mr.. Hugh McGarvey, of Carbon county,
and President of the NJ. and L. b. A, spoke
at length upon the Importance of organiza-
ton. In the course of his remarks he said
"When issued the call for this meeting
two months ago had in view reorganlza-
tioli OF the Miners and LabOrers' Benevolent
Association and an amalgamaton of all the
labor unions in the coal region, whose inter
ests are identical as wokers of coal, | was
sustained in doing so by many OF our most
active and earnest men, who, as well as J.,
labored then and since under the conviction
that at this meeting we would take such
steps as would give Immediate relief to the
coal trade and protection to the miners and
labOIers of the anthracite region at least.
My present view Of the situation just now
is, that while we are in a position as an or
ganized body, or a body OF organizations, 10
make an effective call for an almost gener-
al suspension of anthracite mining, to take
place Immediately, and to last at least long
enough TO warrant better condition of al
fairs upon resumption, yet in view Of the
fact to be regretted that the Wyoming and
! Scranton regions are not officially represent
ed, as well as the fact that the operators who
we believe desire that something should be
done, are not present, we had better allow
the market 10 stand, at least Or the present,
IN be attended 10 by the operators who have
! heretofore claimed that MS their particular
right, and give our attention 10 the question
OF wages aud complete and perfect organiza-
| ton for that purpose as soon as possible. II
we are not ready to begin a suspension on a
question Of wages, the only thing that re-
mains for us TO do is 10 organize for that
purpose, aud hereafter keep organized in
/ the face Of all opposition, no matter the
sOurca from Whence il sDrinus.h