Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-08-30

C.
So far az we have been able to
Learn. the companies have made no
response to the miners request, pub
lifh.d in this paper last week.
l. Hontinuing the policy Of indifer-
sscs to the wants of the miners we
.hMh they err. It would be far bet
jsr !or all concerned if employers
Sould lend willing audience and &C.
cord cheerful consideration to every
request preferred by their operatives.
1t has happened that the latter have
been unreasonable; it will happen
again no doubt. But it is far more
irrational for professedly superior men
Il shut themselves up in sullen silence
10 enact the role of stoics when ap-
peals for advanced wages are made
to them. This policy, instead Of
Gushing the petitioners, aggravates
"a ezievance Of which they complain
40 srystallizes whatever resentment
If provoked. The community is the
autferer, also, from the discomfort,
ern,uring and restlessness of its
s1mbera
Al, or nearly all this could be
eyo.isd By calm, dispassionate, cour-
;4uus treatment of the application
end applicants, for increased pay or
enlarged privileges. A policy which
Tould aim to satisfy by truthful ex-
7'snations Of tie state of trade; of
,.ases upon which contracts were
Yeade, and other conditions which
4srloand the production of coal,
-oula literally leave no room for
.-e.,r, -urnings and no occasion for
enm'tics between people who always
and by all means ought to be friends.
The common interest is so strong and
use that really neither side can af-
/" ID the attitude of antagonism and
tteraess toward the other. In a
" ocal point Of view the operator can
= afford it than the miner, because
financially he is ADLER to make con-
oeasions. The latter, recuniarily the
weaker, is in no position to Cypress or
destroy, and, most fl 1uently making
virtue of necessity, is forced to rest
Bis claims upon the fairness and
high character of these for whom he
.1ils.
u H. case before US we must cay
'se sever saw request more gentle
in tone, more respectful in terms, or
more modest in expression, than that
published last week by Mr.. E. &.
Jonss, the Mines Secretary. With
out conditions, stipulations, or the
shadow CT threat; without boldness,
presumption, or arrogance, it adj
dresses itself kindly to the candor,
Ecnesty and equity of the employ
.rs, and to the sympathy of the COM
;.ss:ivsly disinterested public. Met
9, she agents and superintendent, or
r"eadents of the companies, and dis
oussed in the same spirit, no possible
harm could accrue to either, but a
great deal ofgood, no matter whether
the issue be favorable or unfavorable
to the request.
The business of this argument is
epnphaaized by the fact that the par
t;t.4 Immediately concerned hold rela-
lively the same position toward the
corporations. Both are employees.
ss-e differences in immunities and pay
stockholders regard no privileged
a.>..D Ions as to the responsibility
q. performance of the duties of
s--~.,, The agent is engaged to
duct certain administrative oper-
las. among which, it is true,
:, lie employment of laborers
jor TIE company The miner is EN-
- to dig coal, and as such is in |
a-4ncd ate contact with the ether in
ais enable employee whose duty it
is tc sas that it is dug. Hence, there
:; really not that wide chasm between
,1.m that nominally exists, nor 80
Iueh top.loftiness on enc side and
b. ~ down positiop on the other, as !