Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-09-25

| duttbtu.
As to the merits of the controversy
itself, there are of course two sides
The miners say they are poorly paiC
and overworked, and are the victims
OF many petty schemes that cut down
their net incomes. They maintain
that the companies can well afford 70
Increase their wages and treat them
better. On the other hand, the opera
tors allege that the scale of wages is
adequate and that they could not in
crease it without adding from so cents
to one dollar per ton to the price OF
coal, which the public would not
stand that they have to compete with
soft coal and other fuels and cannot
raise the price of their product. They
complain that the union is exacting
and unreasonable in many of its re-
quirements, and irresponsible as a
party in arbitration.
So the antagonists continue to face
each other grimly. Meanwhile, the
mines are idle, or nearly so, winter is
coming on and the coal bin is empty.
Not only the individuals bin. but the
market is without coal. None has
been mined since April. Consump-
tion has gone on, 10 a certain extent,
through the summer, and now that fall
has come the demand is heard all over
the country for coal coal to feed the
stoves, the furnaces, the heating appa-
ratus of the homes, the offices, the
stores. the shops, the schools, the
coal to supply the kitchen
ranges Of homes, hotels ard restaur-
ants.
Ordinarily, while the mines are at
work through the summer, the coming
winters needs are suppliable from the
stocks OF dealers, but these dealers are
now coalless and hopeless, as they are
obliged 10 turn away order after order.
Such small quantities as trickle into
the market from various sources are
gobbled up at almost fabulous prices.
Every substitute for coal is being
brought into requisition. and all reflect
.he demand in their own increased
price, so that there is little choice be-
tween such anthracite as may be had
md the other fuels at their present fig
ares. Hard coal brings Sl2 per ton in
Boston, soft coal Sc. coke $3.50 and
wood from IS to SIS per cord.
1t is no wonder that short and
open winter is earnestly prayed for by
he poor OF our great cities, for on
hem will the blow fall hardest. The
'ich and well-to-do, in city or country,
will look out for themselves. The
Door in the country have easy access
o wood supplies, in most cases, and
will fare better than the needy in the
titles, whose scanty fuel must neces-
arily be more seanty than ever this
ear
1t is possible that the strike may
Don end and that mining may shortly
,egin. Indeed, it is probable that it
will not continue much longer. One
Tide or the other will yield, or both
will make concessions. The present
oss is tremendous to all and cannot
,e sustained forever. But if it should
nd tomorrow the effects would con-
inue for months and months. The
present situation is like that OF a water
ystem with the reservoir and pipes
Empty. II takes time after the reser-
-oir begins to fill before the water
lows again. And those nearest the
get it first. So, when coal is
mined again, we who are remote win
lave to wait until the urgent needs of
hose nearer the source are supplied,
III the while depending on what there
$ at hand to burn and paying local
)rices for it.
II will not take a great many
roubles OF this kind to bring the pub
ic mind to a point that will demand
ONE regulative system that shall in
ure the operation OF these great pub
ic utilities. Differences between
hose interested in working them must
lot be permitted to clog the wheels of
or inflict loss and hardship to
he great mass of people. How this is
o be done is one of the great and
rave problems of tomorrow.
Merit Will Tell.
The undersigned agree to refund the
money on one 25-cent box of Lady Poor's