The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-23

No more important meeting has been
the conference of the representatives of
the coal miners and the mine operators
OF the country to agree upon a schedule
of wages. No industry is more important
than the production and marketing of coal,
because coal is one of the great essentials
in all the manufacturing industries. 1t is
unfortunate that the disagreements be-
tween mine operators and mine workers
should constitute the larger part of the
troubles between employer and employee
from year to year. This is doubtless large
ly due to the intense competition incident
to the capacity of those who own and work
the mines to turn out more coal than Is
needed during years when manufacturing
Is slack and transportation is light. Doubt
less the disagreements between mine oper-
ators and workers are due more to this
competition than to all other causes Such
competition Is an evil which offers little
advantage even to large consumers, since
all of them would be in better position to
manage their affairs with profit If all
whose conditions in regard to trade are
similar paid the same price for coal.
Much as is said against combinations and
trusts. it would be better that all the mine
operators in given territory should enter
into a contract by which each should put
upon the market a given quantity of coal
at fixed price than to have a competition
which compels scanty compensation to the
miners and in dull times long seasons of
idleness. 1t may not be possible, but If the
mine operators could make a combination
not to overstock the market and to secure
price that would enable them to pay fair
wages. 1t seems that the solution of the
constantly recurring strikes and disorders
would be easy to find.
1t may be said that such a combination
would be in restraint of trade. If the sup
ply Is ample and the price is based upon
the cost of putting the product on the mar
ket so as to give the labor 1t involves fair
compensation and the mine operator a
reasonable profit upon his capital. there
can be no restraint or cause of complaint.
AT any rate, such regulation would involve
no such element of injustice as attaches
to the mining of coal under condi-
tons which do not afford the mine workers
sufficient wages to obtain a decent support
for themselves and their families. 1t is
fair to assume that every moderately in
telligent person knows that the cost of
production is the main factor in the price.
If mine operators pay more for the digging
and shipping of coal than they sell it for
bankruptcy and suspension are inevitable.
If they have a large profit over the cost
of production and marketing the miners
should share it as the capitalists engaged
in the great iron interests have been shar-
ing increased profits of late by advancing
prices. In some large iron factories, if not
in all, sliding scale of wages prevails.
When the product brings full price wages
are full; when the price increases wages
are increased. and when the price falls
wages are reduced. 1t may not be possible
to do so. but If price could be made for
coal based upon a fair compensation for
mining, the strikes and rumors of strikes
might come to an end.