The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-02

shat strike had been declared in the
Pocahontas coal fields, in which all the
employees, with the exception OF two
operations, are reported to have united,
and this may prove of incalculable in
jury to the interests OF all concerned
unlets wise and conservative counsele
prevail.
The TIMES has made some inquiry as
to the causes of the trouble, and the
following seems to be correct state.
ment thereof:
The trouble is apparently caused by
reduction OF 20 per cent. in the wages
of the employees, but the real and true
cause, 80 far as can be learned, grows
out OF the controversy which has ex.
listed for several months between the
coal operators Of that section and tho
Norfolk and Western Railroad Company
and It's receivers, as TO the distribution
OF the price for which the output OF the
mines can be sold, and although re-
Gently the operators agreed to the pro-
position of the receivers, yet IL Ia
said that the strike is encouraged
by them in the hope Of forcing an i n.
creased price for the output OF the mines
and that this reduction in the wsges Of
the employees was made for tho purpose
OF inducing strike and arousing the
miners against the railroad con- psny.
In the year 1885 the freight carried
by the Norfolk and Western Railroad
Company amounted to 1899, 100 tons, of
which tho coal and coke transported
amounted to only 4,735 tons, and the
cost to shippers for transportation was
O.14l csnn per ton per mile. During
the period from 1855 TO 1894 the freight
| carried has constantly increased, and
the rate OF transportation has con-
siantly decreased until in 1894 the
freight amounted TO 7G3s.l27 tons, Of
which the coal and coke amounted to
4,269,55 tons Tor 60 per cent? and the
cost to shippers was O.451 cents per ton
per mile
During this period millions of dollars
have been expended by the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company in deyelop-
ing the section Of. the country through
which its. line extends, which has
operated directly 10 the advantage of
the coal operators along It's line, many
OF whom have acquired great wealth,
while the railroad company, on account
OF the reduced rate of carrying freight
has been forced into insolvency, the
rate per ton per mile being reduced
nearly one-halt from 1885 to 1894.
The efforts made in behalf OF the nat
ural resources of Virginia and West
Virginia, are shown by the fact that SIS
per cent. OF its traffic Ia now in coal, Gre
limestone, pig iron and lumber, the
products of the section OF country in
immediate proximity to is road. Large
sums OF money have been expended in
a oil !
equipping new lines Of railway, with
which 20 place the coal snd other min
eral producers in direct commune ton
with the markets. When these lines of
road had been completed and cemented
into one system, it was found that the
revenues OF the road would not pay It's
interest, running expenses and charges,
and this was in consequence OF the
freight rate, which had constantly de.
creased, and finally the company was
compelled 10 60 into receivers hands
When the receivers took charge OF
the railroad, repeated conferences we're
had with the coal operators. in when a
straight freight rate on coal to tide.
water was offered to tho operators at
the lowest figures for which 1t could be
carried, or, as an alternative, the re-
celvers offered to accept rates based on
The selling prices
Finally all Of tho operators agreed to
accept the latter proposition and the
basis of distribution of the selling prices
was agreed upon. After this agreement
notices were posted by all operators tx
ceptslX, reducing wages, and, as con.
sequence. the present strike, planntd d.
II is alleged, by the operators end
fostered by foreign agitators followed
Is is furthermore claimed that
the prices to the operators, for coal
produced in the Pocahonsas region,
compare favo:ably with the prices re-
ceived in any other coal producing re
gion In America, while the wages paid
TO the miners have been below those
paid In computing regions. In addition
TO the advantage OF low wages, the
operators run stores, at which their
miners are compelled to deal, and which
are the source OF large profit.
An effort has been made, It Is
the reduction Of wages. and hence
the strike Ia brougats about
by reason OF the railroad company
grinding the operators down in the
price of coal until they arc bound to
reduce the wages Of their employees or
else close their mines, and that in this
controversy the operators are in real in.
terest with their employees, while,
1t Is asserted that the correct
view is that tho controversy
is between the operators. who
have grown in wealth by reason OF
the low wages and freighs rates, sgainst
the miners who get tho coal cut
and the railroad com pany which trans
ports II; the first of whom are already
badly paid In comparison with other