The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-02-04
BRITISH LABOR,

/
WageA aud Labor In tho Durham Con
FleldS-lhe lllStory OF Arbitration aut
It's Benenceut Eeiulis for Ton Year
Pnst. H5f .gT..HH. T.
Philadelphia Pres. @&e Wy
! N No. /.
The source Of Eugland's industrial pre-
eminence Is, without doubt, her coal fields
In these Is stored the material energy @
the country-the chief factor in its manu-
featuring and commercial greatness. 1t il
the extent OF these fields and the qualit,
and cheapness Of the coal won from then
that has made England tho workshop 0
the world, and 1t Is on the continued chear
supply Of this fuel tha. her future rs an in.
dussrlal nation depends. The deposits o.
other countries, especially those Of the
United States, must, in the near future
seriously affect, indeed, have already
Affected, highlands industrial prosperity
Attic present time, however, her pfoduc-
ton OF coal is enormous, nearly, II not
quite, equal to that OF all the world besides,
and supplies not only the demands OF her
own industries and homes, but Is X ported
IN large quantities 10 other countries, con.
siderable even coming to the United States.
chit fly to the Pacific Coast. In 1882 the
production Of coal in the United Kingdom.
according 10 the reports oi,he inspectors OF
mines, was 100, 400. OH tons, OF which about
10000, 900 tons were exported. There were
employed about the mines SOB, 9S7 persons
Loo, 1903 underground and 37,795 above
ground. -as n -
These coal fields are divided into nun.
Der Of districts, corresponding to some ex-
tent to the political divisions Of the coun-
try, and named from these divisions.
Among the most important OF these districts
IS the Durham, which, with the Northun,
berland, forms what is known as the Great
Northern Coal Field. The Tonnage OF
Durham, and the number Of persons em-
p!oyed, arc in excess Of those OF any other
district, while the coal is OF an excellen,
quality and furnishes most OF the coke used
N. iron.smeltipg in the country, besides
being exported in large quantities to the
furnaces Of other countries. In South Oar
ham alone, $3.50 peraons were employed
about the mines in 1882, and 2l,7SO,SC
tons OF coal raised, While North Durham
and Northumberland would increase these
figures to IS SG6 persons, and So, 200 5O7
tons out Of lotal for the United Kingdom,
as stated above, Of 5o3.0S7 pereons, and
lot, 499.91 tons. From its magnitude
alone, therefore, this district claims the
first consideration in any discussion of the
wages paid in coal mining in Great
Britain: In addition to this. however, the
msthods employed in dealing with the
satious phases Of the labor question are 90
lull CT interest to employer aud employed
everywhere, and have proved 80 successful
In keeping the peace, that they demand
more than a passing notice.
TEN YEARS CT PEACE. r..a.a.
For mere than ten years the rates OF wa.
ges in this district, as well as all minor dif-
ferences, have bsen. settled by mutual
agreement or arbitration, aud poacs il not
always cohtentment, has existed. The ne
gotiations as to wages and alt disputed
questions in most Of these years have been
carried on by the executives of the two as
sociations, the Durham Miners Aasocia-
ton for the workmen aud the Durham
Coal Owners Association for the operators.
reinforced since 1879 by the Enginemen's,
the Mecl,anice' aud the Cokemeu's Asso.
ciationa. Both OF the former are strong or.
carnations, each commanding the entire
confidence and support Of the body which
it represents. The Miners Union, which
includes nearly all CLASSES Of labor about
the mines, is very strong, well differed,
directed by men OF uudoubted ability and
prudence, ana ablo to compel, not by
force, bu. by moral maans, the unhesita.
ting acceptance by the vast army Of coal
workers in Durham OF any agreement en-
tered into by its representatives with the
representatives Of the Owners Association,
or any award given by the arbitrators or
umpire. Indeed, in but few industries Of
Great Britain is it possible to study
with 30 much advantage trades union.
ism OF today in its effects upon its
members and the labor OF the industry
generally upon wages, and upon the
peace Of the trades. That this
effect has been beneficial in tue highest
degree no one who makes this study, free
from a precouceivsd notion that trades
unionism IS OF ueceRai.y an evil, can
uuul.. LAB .luo Iesu!t VI tne EXISTENCE OF
these two associations, with their financial
ability and ,undoubted strength, not only
have wages been maintained ata rate
higher than that paid in most Of the Other
districto OF the Kingdom, but peace has
been obtained with scarcely An exception
in this trade. A contest meant too much tC
be hastily entered into, and come honora
bic WY 10 avoid q struggle WIS always
sought when disputes arose. When such q
disposition is manifested by both sides 8
settlement OF differences is not far CT. Sa
successful have the means adopted TO set
tie disputes been that the district is do
|scribed IS one III which treason and calm
discussion have pre-, eminently taken the
place Of force"