New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-05
GREAT STRIKE AIERTED.


The threatened strike of coal miners, which at
one time seemed likely TO repeat the extensive
disturbance of last year, has been averted by
concessions of the highest importance Indeed
the new adjustment, if correctly stated, Is some
thing like a revolution in an industry when mas
disorganizcd and blocked the business of the
country more frequently and seriously than any
other perhaps, by its struggles between employ
ers and employed. The proposal of the miners 10
work for sxty-four cents per ton where no coih-
pany stores exist and wages are paid wholly I'D
cash. but sixty-nine cents where company stores
exist, was remarkably shrewd and well calcuia'-
ed to show in a definite and practical way now
much the men think they lose by being compehe"
to buy their supplies at prices hXed by the EN-.
ployers At the same time the unexpected anu
prompt acceptance Of this part OF the proposai
gives convincing evidence that the employers on
their part had different opinion as 10 'ne
benefits Of the company-store system 10 'hei''
Ii las been the real cause OF many Dltter anu
costly struggles and the men have never peeh
able to Judge it impartlally. 1t is supposed 'hat
the system may now be generally abandoned
within the region covered by the new agreement.
II the miners were all thrifty and intelligent,
the change would mean very different thing to
them But there are some who do not get on, ana
will not. in fact, make necessary provision Tor
wives and children. without the credit which the
company store provided. Other stores are a ne
cessity in mining districts. and whether they are
controlled by the employees themselves on the CO.
operative plan or by private enterprise In either
case they will have to be more cautious ana
chary about credits, particularly in those cases
where wives and children most need that re-
source Losses by unpaid bills will eat large
hole in the profits Of any concern which cannot
virtually intercept the wages OF those VINO are
trusted If there are such losses TO be faced, the
stores will have TO take larger profits on other
business. or else will run into bankruptcy, as so
many concerns of that nature have done III the
men try the coop erative plan they will discover
that the business has a great many risks, ana
NAV proftably examine the counsel OF that
worthy clergyman who recently placed before the
miners association an account of his experience
in winding up bankrupt stores
If is not easy to submit and encourage, in
mining village where substantially all the trade
is that of the hands, an entirely independent
Store which the mine-owners do not virtually
control. They are compelled to exercise some
sort of supervision for the protection Of their own
compelled on his side, to ask much help in pro
lection Of property and collection of debts. Act
ual ownership is readily presumed by the miners
where there is any relation between store ana
the mine, and the men are disposed to be nflr-
enced by prejudice to some extent in Judging
of the prices and profits Of the stores II there
were no other reason for getting rid OF the store
system. ii would be well worth while for the
mine operators in order TO avoid a perpetual
source of irritation, suspicion and bitterness,
which leads to many great strikes. Whether the
men can contrve 10 manage cooperative stores
with enough enterprise and shrewdness to realize
any benefit is. il must be confessed. not as clear
as some imagine but the effort VIII presumably
be made in many of the mining villages where 1t
has not been hitherto.
The general advance in wages Of miners
throughout the Central States will add to the
purchasing power Of more than 100000 men. and
! help forward the Improvement in business. ~
| was n severe setback when the great strike broke
| out last wear. and it may he hoped that HE ar
rangement now amicably reached will in CORE
spending measure encourage and strengthen the
| business OF the whole region between the Allie
ghany and the Mississippi. For 1t Is lesson
taught every day by experience that modern in
dustres are so linked together and nterdcpend-
| cnt that all are in a measure helped or hurt by
| Whatever helps or hurts any considerable inter