Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-01-17

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statement is false.
Col. W. P. Rend, of Chicago, Illinois,
is one Of the largest operators of coal
mines in the United States he owns
several mines in the Hooking coal
fields, and because he refused to CO.
operate with the syndicate and railway
company, and continued to operate
his mines and pay 70 cents per ton for
mining, has incurred the eternal hatred
Of these corporations. In an inter-
view with a reporter of the Chicago
Times Mr.. Rend gives the following
valuable information, which we sub
nit to you for consideration. Coming
from an operator, we consider it SUBJ
stantial evidence of the correctness of
our position:
"Mr. Rend, what is the present po-
sition of affairs in the Hooking Val
ley 2"
MATTERS there are in most de-
plorable state. This industrial war
has done serious damage to all those
engaged in it. The railroad company
and coal companies on the one side
have lost heavily in money and bus
mess, while the miners and their fam
lilies on the other, have suffered un-
usual privations and are now in ex-
treme want and dire distress. The
Hooking Valley miners for six long
months have bravely struggled to re-
sist despotic demands made upon them,
and to defend their just rights and IN
dustrial liberties. The rigors of win
ter, which has just set in, have added
to the suffering, and now render the
condition of these very poor
people most appalling. Outside,
the wolf of hunger, driven there by
the hand of tyranny stands at the door
Of the miners cabin; while within
can be seen the sad sight of crying
children and weeping mothers, shiver-
ing in rags and wretchedness. Someth-
ing should be done at once to assist these
poor people in their deplorable state
Of want and suffering. Meetings of
workingmen and of citizens generally
should be called in all the large cities
in the country to denounce this great
wrong, and relieve this great misery.
This Hooking Valley lockout, its causes
and in it historyis q scandal and an
outrage. War was declared upon the
miners without provocation ON their
part, and the aggressors, the railway
company and the coal syndicate, offer
starvation and slavery as the chief
terms Of peace. Tho apology is of this
allied conspiracy that they were not
able to pay the miners the prices for
labor that had prevailed for several
previous years. This statement is not
true, as our firm have shown in
the operations Of our mines in this
coal region during all this time and
our ability to mine and sell coal at
profit based on the 70 cent rate for
mining.
The operators claimed prior to the
declaration of the lockout, in substance
that it was absolutely impossible to
pay this price, except with the result
of loss and ruin.
The reduction demanded was 20
cents per ton. Now let us for a mo-
ment examine by the test of figures
whether it would not have been from a
financial standpoint better to have
continued paying the former rate than
to have incurred the heavy loss Of this
expensive strike. The largest yearly
tonnage ever hauled over the line of
the Hooking Valley road never reach
ed two million tons. By late careful
estimation of tho Columbus Board Of
Trade, the cost of this strike has al
ready exceeded $4,0O0,000. If the 20
cents per ton were clear profit it would
then take ten years, on the basis of
such showing to make up this stu
pendous loss. Therefore, if they
could not afford to pay 70 cents per
ton, they could much less afford to
wickedly waste the money spent in the
attempt to reduce and subdue the
miners. 1t is true, the people who
started this trouble are getting far
more than they bargained for, and by
this time have purchased costly ex-
perience not soon to be forgotten. The
railroad company especially wishes it
had kept its hands off, and attended to
its own legitimate affairs. Its revenue
fell off to such an extent that it was
forced three months ago to borrow in
New York large sum of money to
meet the interest on its bonds, and on
last Thursday the President of that
company went into his private palace
car to the same city to again borrow or
beg another large amount to meet
similar obligations. These railway Of
icials have been clamoring for State
militia to guard their property and en-
force the law.
"What respect do they themselves
,lo- oklo.. -