Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-06-05

reduced in Durham, Northumberland and
in Wales.
In Scotland we have seen struggle
only second to the Midland strike because
it was less extensive. The same heroism,
the same horrors, the same starvation
and ultimate defeat. Since the Scottish
strike wages have twice been reduced, and
they are now at a point at which it will be
impossible for the men and their families
to exist for very long period. Yet 1t
is said that wages have not yet touched
the lowest point, as a further reduction is
necessary in order to get better hold on
the foreign market. Now the question
arises, what is to be done?
The Midland Counties agreement comes
to close in August next, and reduction
Of wages will certainly be proposed by the
English owners. They can not help them
selves. They are bound to reduce wages
or shut down their pits. as they can not
hold their own with the districts in which
wages have already fallen. We are told
that there is likely to be a big strike, in
join.
What is the position? During the last
two years large stakes Of coal have
been laid down on the ma
jority Of pit-banks in England.
Since the Scotch strike enormous
"bings' have been laid down in Scot
land. Miners are in state bordering on
starvation in some of the midland counties
Of England as well as in Scotland, and yet
they are asked to prepare for general
strike in August.
No friend of the miners would say any
thing which would be likely to injure the
position of the men either now or in the
month Of August, but it is necessary that
we should look the matter straight in the
face.
1t will hardly be denied that in large
number Of cases coal masters are anxiously
waiting and earnestly hoping that strike
may take place in August. At some pits
there is four, at some eight, and at some
twelve weeks output at present stocked on
the pitbank. In the event Of a strike these
owners could do perfectly well without the
men for two or three months, and in the
meantime famine prices would be realized
for coal produced at very low rates. IL
may Re said that in the majority Of cases
the employers have no coal in stock, and
that they would not be prepared to allow
their pits to stand idle while some Of their
fellows were making fortunes. Past ex-
perience goes to prove that in order to
crush out the mems organizations the
owners would be prepared to stand to-
gether. Again, while it may be possible
that the miners in the midland counties OF
England are in position to fight as long as
they did on the last occasion, will any sane
man assert that the Scotch miners can put
themselves into a position to repeat on
their own resources the struggle of 1894?
1t has been proposed to regulate the out
put by some form of restriction, in order to
maintain prices at point which would
enable employers to keep up wages. Is
such policy practical? If practical would
it be wise?
Those are two very important questions
which it would be well for the miners to
consider at the present time.
The naturalization of the mines ought to
be the chief plank in the platform of every
miners leader. 1t must and will be the
ultimate end of the mining struggle. The
croakers among the miners leaders may
oppose it, or attempt to damn it with faint
praise, but just as sure as they had to
swallow the eight-hour day and the
minimum wage so also will they have to
swallow the naturalization Of the mines.