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

20 to work tomorrow they cannot
expect full work.
Mr.. O'Bren said something not
quite audible concerning work in
Swanton mine.
Mr.. Lee commended that Swanton
had more regular work than any
mine in the region.
Mr.. Park sustained Mr. O'Brien.
Mr.. Mayer demonstrated how the
Pennsylvania railroad arranged for
Clearfeld to take our trade and how
the plan succeeded.
Mr.. Patrick gave some history Of
increases and decreases and inferred
therefrom that the Clearfeld opera
tors had much mole enterprise than
ours. Everything in our favor-su-
perior quality, shorter transportation
and competing lines, had been over
come and destroyed by inferior facili-
ties. He asked Mr.. Mayer why the
companies could not form combina-
tion to require the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad to drop Is cents freight
per ton.
Mr.. Mayer replied that the B. & 0.
would quickly tell such combination
go, first, and bring your mining
wages to the rate prevailing in COM
peting regions.
Mr.. Patrick cited quotations from
the Coal Trade Journal, Of New York,
of Georges Creek coal at Baltimore at
81 Clearfeld $3.50.
Mr.. Mayer stated he was selling
his coal, now mining at Eckhart, at
1886, and he was buying all the
Clearfeld he desired at $3.90-in
Baltimore.
Mr.. Patrick, concluding, announced
his adherence to well.known broad
principles of equal rights-capital to
get all it can honorably for its invest
ment, and labor to dispose itself for
the highest market price.
Mr.. Res Gentlemen, We have
made clean breast of our side Of the
case. Let us know what you can do.
Mr.. Lett is absolutely imposSi-
BILE for the companies to yield to the
miners demands. We CANT do it;
we caaOat do it
Mr.. O'Brien sgain denied Mr.. Lees
statements concerning the manage
ment Of Swanton mine. He held
that the miners regulations were
more beneficial to operators than
miners.
Some restiveness was shown at this
point, several men seeing the indis-
position of the companies to recede.
One, however, did not desire to with
draw, saying they were expected to DO
something.
Mr.. Spier said not one iota could
the companies yield; he discounte-
nanced all tyrannies and desired fair
play.
Mr.. Dufey wanted the new labor
removed.
Mr.. Mayer thought it was no use
talking further about that matter.
Mr.. john Abbott spoke. The peo-
pie would see that the miners were
willing to settle. He had come to the
conference actuated by an earnest de-
sire to reach soma fair basis Of adjust
ment, but confessed disappointment
at the intolerance Of ell propositions
by the companies. He could see no
bottom to wages reductions. If we
go to so cents now, what is to prevent
both Clearfeld and Georges Creek
going on down to 25 cents? He
would ask the companiea-where are
we to land :? Better settle this matter
right here. 1t was not his under
standing that this meeting was to be
one Of arbitrary statements. Mr..
Abbott has clear head, a fluent
tongue and the "swing" of an orator.
His address was the best of the meet
ing.
Mr.. Park wanted it understood that
if any man was victimized, the min
ers were bound together net to work
until he was renstated, as all were
equally responsible for holding out.
Mr.. Nichols supposed they must
report to their constituents that the
companies would yield nothing-that
the miners must give up everything.
There was no formal adjournment.
1t was rather a gradual dis, erslon at
about 7 o'clock p. M, after nearly
five hours elaboration.
Mr.. Mayer kindly prov ided spe-