The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-13

Apropos of the general situation this,
from the Coal Trade Journal, is inter-
estng:
mo one with the least grain of COM
mon sense can see adequate cause for
any interruption to labor in the anthra-
cite coal region: there are certain dis
trcts wherein the miners are to hold
conventions, and perhaps pass resolu-
tions, during the current week, but
nothing beyond that is likely to occur
Notices will be posted at the collieries
during the latter part of March an
nouncing that the scale of wages now
in operation will be continued for one
year, dating from April l. The notice
will also inform the miners that if local
grievances exist these must be settled
with the companies at whose collieries
they exist. This will be doing all that
can be desired by the best friends of
the employees.
when the agreement to give an in
crease in wages was made in the end
of October, 1900, work at the mines had
not been good for months and years;
during the past year or so there has
been a most excellent demand for coal,
which has naturally resulted in more
days work, so that the benefits accru-
ing under that agreement are more
than doubled. The labor leaders know
this, and no Trouble is looked for by
conservative people.
"All possibility of any trouble is at
an end in the Western Pennsylvania
districts, so that the old scale is agreed
on to rule from April l. The Central
Pennsylvania districts are to renew
last years scale, although one miners
official put the situation thus: We will
make three moderate demands-for the
eight-hour day, for decreased differen-
tial and for mules TO push mine cars
In Indiana soft coal districts the men
demanded eight hours to constitute a
days work for engineers, minimum
wages for blacksmiths $40 a day, and
the minimum for outside day labor,
$lS0. To persons familiar with mining
1t is pretty good Jolly to talk of
eight hours, except for the day labor
employees.
Reviewing the conditions this week.
there does not seem to be even a be-
lated famine story, so far as hard
coal is concerned. With the brighter
days comes relief to the trade in many
ways; in the matter of requirements,
there occurs a very sudden falling off,
and less urgent calls by wire or other
wise, for Immediate supplies. At the
same time, opportunity is given to the
railroad companies to have the con-
gested conditions which have existed
along their lines, from one end to the
other, owing to the stormy weather
during the four months past removed,
Everything works to the most favor
able result for this trade. During the
season OF activity there was just coal
enough to keep the trade supplied, and
as the spring opens up with new ideas
as to prices ETC., there are no great
stocks on hand, and no need to worry
about that feature for some time to
come"
This, from the New York Times, is
In the same strain:
wall street yesterday showed much
interest in the probable developments
at the convention today OF the United
Mine Workers association, for upon
the deliberations of that convention
will depend whether or not there is to
be coal strike. Sentiment in this re-
spect was i'm the street yesterday much
divided. Stock market operators de-
rlared that there would be a strike,
and accordingly they sold the coal
stocks rather freely, though as rule
Dnly fractional recessions were forced.
On the other hand, coal trade author
tiles say there will be no strike.
"As representative OF this latter view,