The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-07
THE MINERS STRIKE.

The long continuance of the miners
strike is evidence that some parties are
being unreasonably stubborn in resisting
settlement of the faculties. just who
! is most to blame it would be difficult 10
determine without an exhaustive study OF
the disagreement and the conditions that
led up to it, but that the general public is
being injuriously affected by some body S
gree:, obstinacy or thick hea6edness there
can be little doubt. Ample time has
elapsed for the parties 10 the struggle to
fully discuss every phase OF the dispute
and arrive at some fair terms of peace.
These Iong-continued strikes are hurtful
TO the general welfare of the country and
serious menace to peace. Public opinion
should strongly condemn any extension
of them beyond the time necessary for
discussion and compromise or arbitration.
The latest news indicates that the con-
tention after all these weeks is no nearer
solution than ever. Men continue to go
out of work by hundreds, although suffer
ing from hunger has begun in some sec
tions and relief funds are exhausted.
The Central Labor Council at Lexington,
KY, has adopted resolution denouncing
the action of the courts of West Virginia.
Eugene Debs is making exciting speeches,
either heroic or lncendiary according TO
the point of view. The strike seems grow
ing to such dimensions that much suffer
ing from hunger and possibly some law
less outbreak may be expected.
On the side of the miners it may be said
that the offer of concessions made by the
De Armitt companies indicates on its face
that the men have had some just cause OF
complaint. Cheating in weights, delay of
payment OF wages, and compulsion to
buy at company's stores, would appear
from this proposed treaty OF peace to
have been practiced in some quarters at
least.
The question of uniformity" of wages
paid for pick mining is reported to have
more in it than appears on the surface. 1t
has for its motive something very differ
ent from an attempt to make an equita BILE
settlement between miners and their EN- :
ployers By some it is supposed to be an
arrangement devised to evade giving the
men just concessions, and by others it is
explained as being an elaborate com bna-
ton scheme to prevent some mines from
being shut down by the natural laws OF
competition. If the latter view is cor
rect the uniformity" plan, if agreed to,
would benefit the mine workers in some
sections, but would be sort OF robbery of
the public by keeping up the price of
coal artificially; that is by the artifice of
mutual agreement among many mine
owners to pay uniform wages and charge
uniform prices the cost OF coal to consum-
ers would be kept higher than if all the
supply needed was mined in regions where
it is most easily obtained.
The kernel of the trouble seems to be an
attempt to distribute the coal business
In some regions there are vast deposits of
thick veins where the coal can naturally
be mined much cheaper than in other
parts OF the country where the veins are
thin and deep in the earth. These richer
coal regions could furnish all the market
could take, and, if there were nothing
artificial about the price, less naturally
favored mines would have to shut down
and go ont of business. The result would
be bene TO the public as consumers, but
distress 10 many miners until they could
find ether EN- ployment.
If public opinion has any power to
hasten a settlement il should be brought
to bear. Ii the com plaints of the men are
just let the mine. meet them fairly
1t is not merely an affair between the
contending parties. The general welfare
is concerned in the RESUMPTION of work