Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-03-04
JOURNAL.
j. B. ODER, Editor.
FRosTBURG, MD, MARCH 4, 1882
THE WAGES QuEsr1oN.-It wa

THE WAGES QuEsTIoN.-It was
rumored throughout the region Mon.
day that the miners Of the Clearfela
region had struck for an advance from
fifty to sixty five cents ton for min
ing coal. Inquiry into the matter
however, proved the report incorrect
The reception given the rumor by
our miners was very cordial and its
verifcation was earnestly hoped IN a
general expression of feeling.
That it was mistake must be re.
gardad as unfortunate, unless it fore
shadows movement at an early day.
But upon this point no certain jnfor-
nation seems accessible. The pro.
priety, if moi necessity, Of immediate
and decisive action upon their part is
apparent, for struggle over there
for an advance is infinitely preferable
to one here against reduction. 1t will
be bad day for them as for us to
have wages get on the down grade,
because nobody can tell where the
rate will stop once it gains moment
um downward.
So far as the action Of the compan-
les is concerned we do not believe
anything official has been developed
Reports of contemplated movements,
said to have leaked out from recent
conferences, ara circulating. These
are necessarily not sufficiently au-
tbentic to base conclusions upon re-
fecting their design.
Be the results what they may,
however, one single fact stares us in
the face-that it is the manifest duty
Of the Clearfeld miners to advance to
sixty-fve cents. Such a step, de-
cisively taken and maintained, would
rob our companies Of the central, pre-
dominating and controlling argument,
plea and excuse for reduction here.
Let them know as fact that fifty
cents does not rule in Clearfeld, and
no ground is left for them tostand upon.
The Clearfeld men owe it to their
fellow-ls borers in this field to ineug-
urate and maintain that movement.
They have not forgotten, nor can they
forget the munifcent aid given them
in their last struggle-how money
was poured out of tbs hard earnings
OF our people to sustain tn m In IN ir
contest AGAINST the legalized tyranny
which well nigh swept away individ-
ual liberty along with household con-
forts and business credit. They can
not Forget how tie people Of tbs
region were friends indeed because
friends in need. And this, we doubt
not, will be repeated more literally
if need be than before, should the
Clearfeld miners stand up like free
men to battle for common cause and
mutual interest.
Will they do it?
The question is momentous one.
An affirmative reply will solve a
problem involving the interests OF
both regions perhaps for year to come.
A negative answer will plunge this
region into contest, the end whereof
no man can see. Brainess, trade aud
property values will alike suffer a
paralysis which months of work, even
at sixty-fve cents, may not fully re-
store to wonted activity and conf
dence. And if we fail Clearfeld will
go down with us as certainly as the
sun shines and God reigns
The subject seems to call for one of
those nervous orasions which in an.
Gent times stirred the old Romans
with sense of threatened peril and
thrilled them with valor. If there
are any real heroes in Clearfeld
they should know the time for action
has ome--not to shoulder arms, but
to unite firmly and everlastingly In
an effort to stand upon the same plat
form their Georges Creek brethren
occupy.
A JOURNALISTIC friend complimented us
the other day with the remark that the
Valley Times was the best newspaper in
the county. Thsnks.--Valey Times.
There are too many judges of news
papers sliding around nowadays de-
livering remarks, and the first thing
you know the people will set awfully
mixed about this self same subject
"the best newspaper in the county.