The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-07
TIE BRAZIL MINES.
Present Situation of Affairs in the Block
Coal Region of Indiana.

Brazil Special to the Globe Democrat.
One of the greatest drawbacks experienced in
the olock-coal fields Of Indiana has been the fire.
quent and obstinate strikes. A strike was in
augurated in February 1884, among the miners
in the Brazil district, which continued during the
spring and summer, ending only Sept. l.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were sacrificed
by miners, operators and railroad companies, for
the latter were drawn into it. in maintenance of
the principle involved. The strike ended at last
in favor of the OPERATORS but it resulted further
more, in new order of things monopoly,
known as the Brazil Block Coal Company, with
large stock capital and representing about one
half of the mining interests of the district, had
quietly sprung up, and, in close fellowship
with other companies, had prepared a
miners would please sign before resuming work.
w ork was fair for the twelvemonth following.
The only dissatisfied party was the miner; but
he kept his peace and made the best of his bar
gain TIL the year Was up; then no more con-
tract in his. AT about this time a National
Miners Federation, sitting in Indianapolis was
organized. The miners here took stock in it,
and were well represented on it's working force.
Later on was organized a Federated Association
OF Miners and Mine Laborers of Indiana which
body, after organization, adjourned to meet in
Plttsburg, Pa, next December. Meanwhile,
delegate meeting of the miners of the district
was held at Cardonia, one day last week, and an
advance OF five cents ton was asked, to date
from Nov. l. This the operators refuse.s How
ever, joint meeting of operators and miners
has been fixed for the 10th instant, for the final
decision.
An operator, in speaking of the advance, says:
we can not pay any more than we are now
paying. Block coal at our mines is worth only
$l.l5 per ton. We pay eighty cents for mining.
Other expenses necessary to mining add twenty
five cents a ton. Then the royalty is generally
ten CENTS total, ST. Is; profit, nothing. Oar only
escape from absolute loss is in delivering our
coal at indianapolis at 81 S. ton, of which sum
a rebate of ten cents is given US by the railroad
company"
Speaking of the Brazil Block Coal Company,
the operator continued:
This monopoly it is true, is assuming NAM
moth proportions. Beginning with capital of
$500, 600 year ago. it has enlarged it TO $1,000
900. 1t has also absorbed about 60 10 70 per
cent. of our mining interests. The meaning is
clear; an advance in the price of Brazil block
COAL II the monopoly continues q success.
True. this will be in the favor of the
miner in the end, which no operator
will object to in the least If the price of coal
goes up, then the rate of mining will naturally
follow. The present rate. however is out of all
proportion and without precedent Why, some
years ago, when coal worth So. % ton at
the mines, the miner did not ask but ST. When.
later on coal was worth only So, the miner still
asked no more than 81, which was too much; but
now, with coal at ST. Is. the miner is paid so
cents, and is asking So. 1t cannot be paid. The
present rate is ruinous to operators"
1t is also quite clear that the miners are not
disposed to work for less than IS cents. This is
the general sentiment Of all who express an
opinion on the subject.
The organization of miners throughout the
United States was never more compact. It is
evident that this large industrial class are pre-
pairing for solution of problem in which many
branches Of trade and industry are interested.