The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-01-16
THE DIFFICULTY SETTLED.
Circular from the Coal Co.-Mass Meet
ing-All Mines will be Opened.

Circular from the Coal Co.-Mass Meet
ing-All Mines will be Opened.
The employees of the Bell, Lewis a.
Yates q. M. Co. held a meeting in Cen
tennial hall yesterday afternoon and
heard report from the company,
which was a concession to the
request of the men and they decided to
go to work again All mines will be
operated as before the suspension.
The company issued the following no.
tice to their employees in printed cir
cular form yesterday:
"In relation TO the recent action of
this company, in suspending some of our
men at Dubois and Reynoldsville, and
shutting down the Sprague and Hamil-
ton mines, so many false and misleading
statements have been circulated, in
stead of the true reasons, that we
deem 1t proper to make an official
statement.
For long time past our mines have
been overcrowded, the same as in all
other regions, and the complaint with
our men, and with the miners in other
| Districts has been that it was done for
the purpose Of securing more trade for
the stores, and there has been great
dissatisfaction in consequence. The re-
suit has been that with the coal trade
very dull. our men have not earned as
good monthly wages as we would be
glad to have them receive. We are
not mistaken when we add that the
public has also held to the opinion that
we were employing too many men for
the work we were able to furnish them.
Since the close of navigation on the
lakes, we have been cut off from large
tonnage, and all rail points of consump-
tion have not increased, but rather
diminished in volume, while competi-
tion from the Pittsburg and other
regions has become more keen. There
fore our market for coal is not more
than two-thirds as large as during the
season of navigation; hence to retain all
our men, and run all the mines would
involve still further lessening of month
ly wages per man. Consequently, after
mature deliberation, it was decided by
the officers of this company to shut
down Hamilton and Sprague mines, and
certain headings in Soldier Run and
Rochester mines, for reasons above
stated, thus giving the men retained
| hattar ,ynrlx mud for tha ,,,,,nop, ~ ,o
ducing fixed charges, to lessen the cost
of coal, and thus better enable us to
compete with other regions.
The charge that by our actions we
were striking at any organization is not
true. We do not know union from nom
union men, and do not care to. We recog-
nize the right of any man to join any
labor organization, and in giving en-
ployment to men we never have and
never shall make any discrimination
as between those who belong to labor
organizations, and those who do not.
We deeply regret, and protest against,
the report to the contrary, which has
been so widely circulated. AS all know
we have made no discrimination for any
cause.
1t must be conceded by our men and
we shall insist upon it that we are the
best judges as to how to conduct our
business. In these hard times we are
forced to do 1t in the most economical
manner possible.
But the action of the men whom we
intended so retain shows that they are
willing to divide work with those sus.
pended on pro rata share. The sug.
gestion that the work be divided in the
mines where suspension did not occur
is impracticable, as all must soc. The
only way will be to again start the sus
pended mines, and let each man go tC
his proper place, and In order to meet
our men in spirit OF compromise We
have concluded to reinstate the entire
order and condition Of things which ex
listed just prior to shutting down the
work named, with the distinct under
standing that as it is universally &C
knowledged that we have more miner,
than are needed TO do our work, as soor
as the inclement season is past, unless
our business shall greatly increase, We
must reduce to reasonable number
without hindrance or disturbance.
AS some have left our employ, settled
up and been paid, we shall not conside
such entitled to claim or receive worl
under this proposition"
Hurt in Mine
| VIM Ruoh tho yoppu man whn ha,