Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-05
The Mincrs' Strike in the Cumberland
Coal Region.
THs EFFECT ON THE HFsAPKAKE AND OHIO CANAL
SUFFERING or THE BoATMEN.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR

SUFFERING or THE BoATMEN
Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR.
CUMBERLAND, MD, May g. 1884
The suspension or coal mining in this region.
with the stoppage for tie time OF money disburse-
ments by the companies for work done by the
miners, has deadened trade here, ana given that
uneasiness and uncertainty 20 business which only
those who have gone through the lock-outs Incl
dent to labor troubles here justly appreciate.
Ii is asserted that when the adjustment between
employers and employed comes IL viii be upon a
basis substantial that operations In the Georges
Creek basin can be looked TO with the same conn.,
dence for regular production as In the CIearficld
REGION the sharp competitor OF the Georges Creek
Inc miners are discussing the probability OF the
Introduction OF new labor into this REGION by tina
companies, for It is generally understood that such
course may be finally pursued.
ind great many OF the boatmen are prepar.
Ing 10 abandon the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
and seek a livelihood elsewhere. They are in lad
circumstances, owing TO the strike two years ago.
which set them back considerably, and last wear
the contention for the Georges creek and Cumber-
land railroad crossing threw the majority out ~
work for the season. This and the gloomy out
look for work has caused the boatmen 10 look
around for something else TO do.
The boatmen at Hancock and Williamsport are
Since the bali is started and they win he o0rn
PEELED TO go elsewhere To earn a living for their
families, they win not return TO the canal until
they get more pay for boating.
AS FAR as have seen, the disposition seems to be
among the laborerS and boatmen, that since a sus-
that all connected with the coal trade along the
line OF the canal have come 10 common UNDER
standing, set their prices and when work is re-
Sumed all may be satisfied, and no more draw
backs for the season. The miners statistical
report or wages for years 1SS0SI shows an average
OF 81 per day for digging coal In the Georges
creek region. From that s.. 50 per day deduct the
enormous rent, blacksmith bills, doctor bills sub
scription TO orphans and widows, cripples, &C;
sum these items up and the miner has not much
left for danties, and he, in his opinion has good
grounds TO refuse TO work at the reduction.
The same case with the boatman. He gets
dollar per ton TO ship coal from Cumberland to
Washington. He can make a trip I'm ten DAYS and
haul no tons at load. That would be sli0 An
inexperienced man would say: "Why that is big
wages-Sll0 In ten days that would be $3.50
per MONTH" But like the miner, the boatman
does not get the chance TO make trip every ten
days; on the contrary, he Is often kept ten days
lille at his own expense, waiting the pleasure OF
the companies TO load or unload his boat After
that comes rent for use or boat, SIS each and
every trips toll for use or canal; burning coal on
boats, &C., which leaves the bOatnan often in
debt, and which has driven him far IN that d.
rection that he VIII be compelled TO have more
wages or abandon the canal and let a new pOpula.
tlon people the boats AT present, Rates and
amount or work the boatmen must go under IL they
remain. The bOatmen have been living at a dis.
advantage for the last Two years; how they have
lived, God only knows. II the strike lasts all the
summer starvation Will stare the Door boatmen i'm
the face, and the canal Will soon be thing OF tho
mast.