Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-20
WHAT 1T COST.
Some Interesting Figures ON the Reading
Strike.

ooh On tuo
Strike.
PHILADELPHIA, February ia lead
ing subject Of speculation here is the cor
of the great Reading double strike-rail
road and mines-now just brought to ,
close. That it has entailed great ply sica
suffering to the miners and their familiei
is acknowledged, as well as much dis
tress among the poor Of this city. An at
tempt was made by a reporter to obtair
some Gppro ximate idea Of the loes in cash
to the Reading strikers, the consumers
and the Reading Railroad and Coal and
Iron Companies. Assistance in the esti
mate was kindly given by Editor Saward
of the Coal Trade Journal.
The railrosders' strike began in the las,
week OF December, There were abou,
2, 900 men at work on the freight and coal
cars of the company. These men were
receiving an average Of 81 q day. They
are still out. The loss 10 the striking
railroaders in wages would therefore bt
1892, 900 for the forty eight days.
At the time the Reading miners went
out on January it was stated that theil
pumber was 25, 900, but more conserva.
tive estimate places their number at 20, 600
Their average earnings was " day. The
less in wages to the miners for forty-twc
w5rking days would therefore be 81 $50,
900. Two weeks after the strike begar
iron furnaces in the Schuylkill were Oh
liged to shut down because of the scarcity
OF coal. The number of men employed by
them was at least 5, 900, and their wages
would average 81. so q day.
The loss of wages to iron-workers fo
twenty eight days is, therefore, estimated
to be $3.50, 900. The increase in the cos
of coal to consumers in this city is esti
mated to be $3.50 in Philadelphis
S240, 900 and in New Enelsnd $375 600
The losses to the Reading companies in
clude cessation Of business for nearly
sixty days, the expense of hiring police
feeding men and many other items. II
Offset this is, of course the saving in wages
A lump estimate of this loss is placed at al
least 81, 900, 900. A general and conservs
tive estimate, therefore, oi the loss due tt
the Reading strike is over "a, 900, 900, q
follows: Loss to railroads, 1892, 600; loss
to miners, 81, $50. 900; loss to iron workers,
$3.50, 600; loss to consumers, $S40, 900; los,
TO Reading companies, 81 200, 900; total,
81, 062, 900.
SHENANDOAH, February 19.-The min
ers of this section met in Robbins Operi
House to. day to act on the order for re,
sumption of work. About 1900 were
present. After q long discussion 1t was
agreed to resume work. 1t is understood
that the Lehigh Valley Company has
agreed to the same terms as the Reading
Company and that work will also be re.
sumed at their colleries here this week.
MOUNT CARMEL, Pa, February 19.-
Mass meetings have been held throughout
this district to-day, and the Lewis. Corbir
agreement has been severely denounced
Chairman Davis arrived here from Potts
vile tonight, and is now conferring with
prominent labor leaders here. Unless thi:
conference results in change Of sentimen,
among the strikers, fully 1900 miners viii
refuse to return to work tomorrow morn
ing.
ASHLAND, Pa, February 19.-At 9
meeting of X. of L. miners held here thi,
afternoon it was decided to obey the in
structions to return 10 work tomorrow.
PorsvLLE, February 19.-President
Corbin To-Day sent to this city personal
donation of $4,000, to be distributed
among the most necessitous Of the miners,
for the relief of their families until such
time as they will again be able To sup port
themselves by their own resources. The
money will be distributed by the com
pany's officials among the most necessit
Gus Of their former employees. This ha'
taken the wind out Of the sails Of the lead
ers of the railroad strike. Lewis feels tri
umphant and the railroad men are furious