Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-08-19

could he settled If the miners could
be- convinced they were in the wrong.
Mr.. Mayer contended that Mr..
Sinclair was not authorized to act
had no commission to promise meet
ings. In his own case, however, it
was always pleasure to meet his
men.
Mr.. Rees suggested a discussion Of
the questions dividing the companies
and men, and proposed taking up the
wages rate first.
Mr.. Mayer referred to the manifesto,
adopted after comparison of prices
paid by competitors Of other regions,
etc. He then said of twelve New
York steamship lines supplied by this
region, three only remained. Clear.
field, with the advantages of store
orders, lower wages, longer hours and
cheaper transportation, was fast driv-
ing our coal out of market.i
Mr.. Price, speaking for the Mary
land company miners, was willing to
take SIS cents. He thought the su
perior quality of our product and
greater danger of working it warrant
ed at least 5 cents over the Olearfeld
rate.
Mr.. Rees said Mr.. Prices rate was
about the lowest; the majority Of
mines favored splitting the difference.
Mr.. William B. Baird said that after
a review of the cost Of living, etc., the
| people whom he represented had
concluded they could not mine coal at
less than go cents per ton.
Mr.. Andrew Patrick agreed with
Mr.. Baird, adding that when the
irregular character of the work is
considered, realizing an average of
$37 or $98 per month during the
last three years, go cents was low
enough. Men with five or six, FREE
quently more in family, could not
live. 1t had been said miner can
make SIS day, but it cannot be done.
The employment is huctusting some.
times it does not amount to half time
during year never saw regular
work in this region. Sometimes the
harbors were frozen; transportation
insufficient orders scarce, etc. He
was willingto acknowledge that with
regular work The men could probably
afford to work at less rate. But il
at G5 cents man can live no better
than now, how can they get along
with reduction of Is cents? For
his own part he felt that every cent
he yielded was sacrifice of so much
of his oaVn and his famaaly's
existence ! He favored splitting the
difference.
Mr.. @. O'Brien stated that his
people wanted the trouble honorably
settled. He compared the dangers Of
digging Clearfeld and Georges Creek
coal our coal much more hazardous
to work. lie believed that capital
was entitled to and should receive
fair compensation for its investment.
At the came time it should have due
regard for labor's rights. He wanted
to see the figures showing the immense
difference between Georges Creek and
Clear fields Goals warranting the pro.
posed reduction.
Mr.. James Nickols stated that the
Georges Creek coal and iron miners
were willing to work at SIS cents.
Mr.. Joseph Thompson, of the
Maryland company, caid his col
leagues averaged only $50 per month.
He was opposed to reduction.
Mr. John Moran spoke Of recent
freight reductions from Homecoming
to Cumberland, owing to the con-
struction Of competing line. 1t
did not seem to him that this COM
ported well with demands for labor
reduction.
Mr.. Dufey thought the companies
cauld afford to pay IS cents now as
we'll as two years ago. He wanted
to hear what the other side had to
say.
Mr.. John Sullivan had worked
Clearfeld coal. A vast difference in
favor Of Clearfeld as to the danger.
Ours is superior coal. Was in
favor Of meeting the companies half
way.
Mr.. Park intimated there were
other questions pending, which, if not
satisfactorily adjusted, settlement
of the price might be updone.
NJ p g uo,rou sc A. pnn1