New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-16
NO CHANGE IN THE STRIKE.
MINERS WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE
OPERATORS


Pottsville Penn. Oct 15.-Of two things there
IS little doubt tonight. after survey Of the sit
uation in the Schuylki1 region-the public is ex-
pected TO foot portion Of the losses caused by the
strike and there will be some friction before work
is resumed. This is due to the refusal the oper-
ators to meet the miners since the Scranton con-
venton. their mutual distrust of each other the
objection Of big companies like the Reading the
abolition OF the sliding scale. the difference in the
price charged the miners for powder-s27 10 in the
upper belt and 81 80 in the SchuylkH territory-and
the numerous difficulties the terms proposed
by the miners. President Mitchell. however says
the powder and company store questions to be
settled by the miners and their employers.
When asked whether he thought the present high
price Of coal would remain unchanged when the
strike is settled. leading in the coal bust
said
The difficulties may be On the eve Of settlement
time While the operators appear to De making
concessions 20 the miners, 1t must be remembered
can make good their losses by asking nigh prices
for their 96T 9 04 vii P b [ tha5 W w be
thing like 1t was. The coal companies VIII make
be policy 10 hold back for a time. They viii then
reluctantly give in and prices will be maintained
on the excuse Of increased cost to the cOIieries.
great deal Of discussion is already heard as to
what the operators really meant to offer the miners
when they said they would pay the 10 per cent ad-
vance think that If the trouble is settled
within a week IT will be difficult matter 10 keep
part or the men from going PACK on almost
terms The strike leaders say that agents OF the
coal companies are spreading all kinds Of reports
in order to cause break in the ranks Of the
ganized and unorganized men Committees Of
strikers are actively engaged in warning
nav attention 10 any orders officially issued by
President Mitchell This may Indicate that the
operators will not do away with the sliding scale.
The situation now is entirely in the hands Of the
operators and the request for the abolition OF the
sliding scale may cause trouble By many it Is not
~-a tore IN ZrF ri
and Lehgh regions to accede 10 this demand Of
hand as ii Will require considerable work 70 evolve
satisfactory basis But. OF course. this Will have
10 be done or the strike Will continue
HOW THE SLIDING SCALE IS FIXED.
The sliding scale is often referred 10 in the
naper dispatches, but few understand what 1t is
and how II is calculated After the 'long strike.
which lasted five months the 81 so basis was estab-
1isbad The miners were TO receive 81 a day. inside
la borers so a week and outside iaborers - week
The wages are based the selling price or coal
AZ Port Carbon, which is generally in the neigh
horbood Of 81 30 a ton. Five collieries are drawn
nv lot each month and an average is struck II the
price Of coal is s. 50 at Port Carbon. the miners
wages are on the basis OF 81 day. II the average
nrice is 81 90 one-third OF that reduction must be
horne bv the miners Therefore, the rate Of wages
would be per cent below the basis. II the price Of
coal AZ Port Carbon goes above the s. 80 basis. the
miners wages are advanced in the same propov-
ton
President Joseph S. Harris Of the Reading Coal
eDd Iron Company was here to-day in ref
ra-ca N abolishlng the sliding scale. proposed
~, the miners convention Mr. Harris said that
the scale was absolutely the best thing for the
company and the miner. If the wholesale price OF
coal advances the miner gets his snare OF the IN
creased profit. He continued:
The price Of anthracite coal varies. At times Il
is q cents a ton lower, 10 encourage housekeepers
- Iav in their winter supply Then again, II ad-
,,sn when the demand increases During the
summer months man would rather buy ice than
coal The Reading Company mines and stores
during the dull months a million tons or coal ana
~ Tins storing the coal. which cannot then De
sold the miners enabled 10 work more steadly
tban II the coal not stocked This coal Is
stored in the yards OF the company al New
work Philadelphia Boston and other cities. ana N
the Yards OF the coal region. The demand Tor
bturninous coal is steader because IL Is consumed
more generally for manufacturing purposes, where
as anthracite which Is used principally Tor 40
T1esrfc purposes. is in demand mainly during 1he
odd weather The company never had and mas
NOT now any objection to meeting its own
yrherber as individuals committees. y clsCusS
anv questions OF mutual interest. ana TINS 49,
ton OF doing away with the Siding scare > ma
ter for careful investigation