The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-19
Consolation.

speeches made in the Maine cam
"A paign, Hon. Henry w. Palmer.
of Wilkes Barre, cited some fig
ures of current prosperity that are
worthy of widespread notice. Said he:
when the people have money they
spend 1t for luxuries and give it for
charities. In 1898 the American people
gave for charitable gifts, a total of
$23 9Si 900. In 1899 the total charitable
gifts amounted to $40, ,749, 956. With the
advance of good times the use of lux
uries increased at a tremendously
rapid rate. In nine of the states of
the northwest more pianos were sold in
six months of 1899 than during the
previous six years. In 1899 seven mil
lions more money orders were issued
than in 1898. The average savings de-
posted per individual increased from
1868 in 1898. to s416 in 1899. Crime ev-
erywhore decreased. A little more
than one-half as many persons were
convicted and sent to the penitentiaries
in 1899 as in 1895. Prosperity brings
with it a feeling of hope, and 1t is
now easier to earn a living than to
steal it. Perhaps the change has
been greater in the west than in the
east, but even in the anthracite coal
fields the increase in production was
five million tons last year. reaching
a grand total Of fifty million tons,
which is more than was ever mined be-
fore, and the prospect for the coming
year is good for a further substantial
more wages"
Since these words were spoken the
anthracite industry has become in
Volved in an unhappy and we believe
an unnecessary strike and the pros
pect of another years improved time
in the mines, due to the markets ,ac-
ceptance of more coal. but indicative
of better earnings for the men en-
| ployed, has been, as we believe. un-
| wisely Cancelled. 1t is now doubtful
| how soon this bright prospect can be
| recovered. No man can tell what cf-
feet this strike will have upon the flu
| turc of anthracite, for the reason that
no man can estimate accurately in ad-
vance the extent to which bituminous
| coal will occupy anthractes forcibly
| vacated place in the market or how
| long. after the strike is over it will
! be able to keep anthracite out of the
! lattcr's old place. The leaders of the
| strike say that no soft coal will be al
| lowed to come into anthracite's place,
| but if anthracite cannot be had and
| soft coal is to be had, fuel users will
! have to buy IT, whether they like il
or not; and it Is a matter of fact tha;
| it can be had, for offers 10 supply II
are circulating freely among former
purchasers of anthracite, nor can the
miners union say to the soft coal op-
orators, with whom they are under
yearly contracts, hardly half expired
that no bituminous must go where an
thracte has gone. This would mean a
strike in the bituminous regions as
well, and then where would the strik-
ing anthracite miners get financial
help?
We must expect as a consequence OF
the present strike a large loss of mar.
kets to soft coal and gas. This is moi
a partisan statement but a matter ot
plain fact 1t is likely to take years
to recover the ground lost. How far the
sacrifice of markets will adversely af,
feet business in the anthracite territory
or in future limit labors chance of EN-
plOyment cannot be foretold but mus
| bA nv
with suffering and sorrow. Will,
going through this painful experenc,
it will, however, be in some degree con
soling to realize that the remainder o
the country is prosperous as never be
fore and in enjoyment of substantial
blessings which we might have shared
had wisdom prevailed over folly.