Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-09-09
COUNTY NEWS.
The Wage Movement.

Monday of last week the answer to
the recent note of the miner, was cir
culated by the eight leading com
panleS.
1t is dated "Baltimore and New
York, August -, 1899" and recites the
productive history of the region since
1898, showing d gradual increase of
output from 3 36S, ,:}S2 tons TO t, l20, so
tons in 1898.
These figures, averaging an increase
of lSS, I'D tons per nnUum, are given to
verify the statement that the coinci-
dent prosperity of miners and success
of companies depend upon two condi-
tons
l, The size of the output, and
3 The regularity with which it is distrib-
uted.
They hold, therefore, that within
the last four years that both the
amount and regularity of mining EN-
ployment has been enhanced.
htAl ultut " lIt cUtdp
labor in the Old Virginia mines as a
competing obstacle diff cult to over
come.
Next 1t is stated that for two years
before April |, 1896, the rate for min
ng was - cents II ton. On that day
the companies voluntarily advanced it
to 10 cents, believing they would get
better prices at tide. In this they
were disappointed, for within 80 days
the price fell below that they received
when mining was 10 cents a ton.
Tnis reduction Of price was forced by
the competition of Old Virginia coal,
a product of co-equal standard in
quality. This reduction has gone on
until it now amounts to 10 cents less
than on April |, 1896.
The policy of taking thrashing"
in markets was adhered to, and, aided
by railway co operation, they have
been able to continue business with
out asking their employees to take
less than IS cents.
The practical summing up of the
circular is
So long, however as the Old Virginia com
pahies are able to sell their coal at tide at this
reduced price, and so long as present condi
tions continue, any advance of our rates for
mining is entirely out of the question.
The effect of a rise in price to the
consumer, corresponding with an ad-
vance to the miner, is then discussed.
The result would be disastrous to the
miners income. eventually in many
cases to his employment.
After references to 60 operative
effort on the part of companies and
railroads to facilitate and cheaper
transportation the companies ask the
miner to ''carefully weigh all these
matters before he takes any action"
and express faith in the safe result of
mature consideration" Say they, in
conclusion:
The prosperity which now prevails gener-
ally throughout the country has, unfortunate
ly, not yet enabled us to advance the price of
coal. 1t will, no doubt, in time reach this
commodity. And our employees may con
ldently rely upon our assurance that when
it does they shall share in it,
The circular is signed by presidents
G. X. Lord of the Consolidation Coal
company H. Crawford Black, of the
Black Sheridan Wilson company J.
j. Alexander, of tho Georges Creek
Coal and Iron company; W. Del.
Walbridge. of the American Coal com
pauy; j. E. Knapp, Of the Maryland
Coal company: NJ. Baxter, ir., Wee.
. President of the New Central Coal
company; L. n. Lowell, of the Borden
Mining company, and Jacob H. Tay-
lor, of the Big Vein Coal company.
BreVitieS.
The oldest German coal mines were