The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-20
IN THE coLLIERIEs.
Miners Generally Accept the Agree
ment to Resume Work.
Some, However, Feel Disposed to
Prolong the Battle.
More Facts About the Reading Re-
lated to the Congressman.

SHENANDOAH, Pa, Feb. 19.-Almost 1900
miners met at the Robbins Opera House to-
day, to act on the order for the resumption
Of work. Two votes were taken, the first
being almost unanimously against work. AT
ter an address, stating that the strike was
lost as fought SO far; that many families
were starving with no hope Of speedy relief,
and that the offer made was fair and reason
able, second vote was taken, and the re-
sumption was agreed to with only one dis
senting voice. 1t is understood the Lehigh
Valley Company agreed to the same terms
as the Reading, and work will be resumed at
their packer collieries this week.
MT. CARMEL, Pa, Feb. ia mass meet
ing was held throughout this district today.
The Lewis Corbin agreement was severely
denounced. Chairman Davis arrived to-
night, and is now comforting with prominent
labor leaders. Unless the conference results
in a change of sentiment among the strikers
fully 1900 miners will refuse to return TO
work tomorrow.
ASHLAND, Pa, Feb. 19.-At a meeting Of
Knights and miners this afternoon, II was
decided to obey instructions and return 70
work tomorrow.
The Company and the Strikers.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. 1S-The con-
gressional investigation committee resumed
its inquiry into the Reading railroad strike
this morning. John Norris, one Of the edi-
tors of the Philadelphia Record, who had
been the statistician of the Pacific railroad
investigating committee, was called. He
said that he had been investigating the coal
trade and the management Of the Reading
Coal and Iron Company for many years. Mr..
Norris said that last year the Reading Rail-
road Company had earned 10 per cent ON the
cost of the road, and was one OF the most
profitable roads in the country. Its losses
came from the necessity Of paying interest
on its enormous debt, which was the result
of the policy of combining the business OF a
carrier with that of miner. The witness
said that he had investigated the statement
made by Mr.. Corbin, that the Reading Coal
and Iron Company had mined 81, 100000 tons
of coal from 1876 to to 1888 at loss Of over
S12, 600, having paid $57,o00,000 to the
miners and received but S44, 900, 600 for their
output He quoted the figures by years
from 1876 to 1888, and said that the proceeds
for that period had really been, as shown by
the company's own books, $50, 81, 900, and
thus the company had really received S29,-
900, 900 more than it had paid out. Mr.. Nor
ris proceeded at length to give the commit
tee great deal of statistical data, and at
the conclusion of his testimony was cordial
ly thanked for the light he had thrown upon
the investigation.
Mr.. Bennett reviewed the strikers version
of the progress Of events from Dec. 23 until
the men went out on strike. He said that
over 300 police officers were put in the yards
at Port Richmond on Dec. %, and it was on
account of their objection to such police sur
yeillance that the strike at Port Richmond
took place. The witness was then asked
whether the Knights Of Labor claimed the
right to dictate to the railroad company. or to
its customers what class of men they should
employ or what wages they should pay; Wit
ness said: No, but we claim the right to
compel the company and Others to pay union
wages If we can, and do all lawful acts to
compel them so to do. The union men in
this purpose did not consider either the
rights of the public OF the rights OF the COM
pany or the consequence, but only the re-
quests of the men in the organization. The
basis of all strikes, he said, in response to
questions from Judge Chapman, was that the
men who created the products Of labor-the
laboring men-had the right to in a very
large measure, il not entirely, control it.
Witness said that the strikers were sup
ported by voluntary contributions which
had been received by the committee, Of
which he was chairman, TO the amount of
$1,000 and this amount had relieved about 600
or 700 persons, all that had applied for help.
The examination Of the witness was con-
cluded by Mr.. Anderson, who put number
of questions to allow his own and the W.T.
ness opinion to 90 on the records that labor,
as well as capital, had right to combine for
its own protection.
The committee then adjourned to meet at
Pottsville Monday morning.