The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-11-23
TO STOP COAL WARS.
WASHINGTON CONNOR WRITES or
THE SITUATION.

~ II INaliTOAuS ouoAiu IL fTlCes
and Wages and Make a Lasting Agree
ment.
During the past two years. there has
been severe competition in the bitumi-
nous coal trade, resulting in a reduction
in the price of coal to a point where
there was but little profit for the rail
roads which carried it, the mine owners
and operators who produced it Or for the
miners whose wages were dependent
upon the price received for coal. These
three large interests have alike suffered
from a warfare which has been both
foolish and needless. = i
Last March the Ohio railroads and
operators took tho initiative toward
bringing about a settlement Of the diff
Guilty by the formation Of an alliance
between the operators and the coal car
riers for the purpose of securing better
results for all parties in interest, to es-
tablish uniform rates OH the railroads,
secure stability of prices for the coal
and through these means prevent any
further reduction in the pay of the min
ers and ultimately to increase their
wages as the price Of coal was advanced.
The Ohio Coal association, which was
formed last March, is we'll organized
for this work and secures unity Of ac-
ton in the Ohio district. That its for
mation was a wise step cannot be ques-
toned. The railroads for over a year,
owing to the fierce competition which
existed, had been cutting prices from 20
TO 40 per cent below schedule rates.
This organization has succeeded in re-
storing rates to the established sched-
nile and by SO doing will add from 20 to
40 per cent to the net revenue of the
roads which belong to it ON all tho coal
they carry.
An obstacle to keeping up the miners
wages has recently been encountered by
the action Of the Pennsylvania and West
Virginia operators, who have been per-
sistent in trying to drive the pay Of
miners to the lowest possible point.
When the great strike of 1894 was set
tied, III agreement was made that the
miners should receive 60 cents per ton
in Ohio and 50 cents per ton in Penn
s~ylvania. The Ohio operators have faith
July A4t0u ny w V1CAA u "a SASe
paid 60 cents throughout the year, not
withstanding that during that time they
knew the Pittsburg district had violated
its agreement and was underselling Ohio
in the market, which it was able to do
on account Of paying lower wages to the
miners.
There has been established for years a
differential Of 9 cents per ton between
the Ohio and Pittsburg districts in the
price paid the miner. This is the result
of q difference in the size Of screens used
in the two districts. If both districts
used the same sized screens. the wages
for miners would be the same, but sc
long as this is not the case the diferen'
tial must be maintained.
The Pittsburg operators having beer
successful in reducing the pay Of a Large
number of their miners during the veal
1894, owing to the great number OF I'm
employed, are this year opposed to {
restoration to the prices agreed upon i.
1894. The result is that, while the Ohit
operators ara in favor Of either cOntinr
ing the wages Of last year or even az
vancing to higher prices, they are unabl
to carry out their wishes, but must eS
tablish u rate per ton which VIII pc
cents less than that paid III the Pitts
burg district. tho y cents being the dit
t~erential which, | have referred to.
There are times when capital Jrstl
complains that it has not been talrl
treated by labor. There can be no sue
complaint made by the Plttsburg opera
T.. l,,, ,,St,,,,a - 10 labor that N1
been made to suffer Through the sho1
sighted selfshnass vi a few individual.
aud corporations.
In 1892 West Virginia, P~ennsylvani
tnd Ohio worked under an intersta
agreement. Minors were then receivln
IN Ohio 70 cents per ton and IN Q
hyivania - cents por ton. The railroad
obtained satisfactory rates for the tran
vrtutioM Of coal. And the operators al
nm owners made more money thu
they have any tlma since. The resu!
Of this agreeu,ent and combination we
H., beneficial, and satisfactory to all Il
forests that it is impossible TO lind
reason why the same policy should II
nave been carried out in the follOwil
years.
The present situation could be great
improved by extending al Interstate {
yanization ~ chat it would include t
illinois aud Indiana districts, Such
combination should not be looked up
Us a trust. as it would in no sense
one and would not ba formed to advan
prices, Int only 80 maintain .nnlfo'
urinns in tia variDr. districts.