Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-04-02
MIscEILANHous RECORh
The cnnl sltnntlon.

In view Of recent happenings, It is only
natural that the great body Of the people
should look with deep concern upon the
coal strike situation For experience
has proved that they have the greatest
interest at stake, as out of their pockets,
as a rule, comes all the cost imposed by
the struggles between employers and en-
ployes over the mining Of coal
Today, according to arrangement, the
strike Of the bituminous miners is te be
inaugumted. Il was not expected TO be
general, however as some of the operators,
principally in what is known as the Gem
trail Connective district have expressed
their willingness to again sign the wage
scale Of 1908, with which their miners are
satisfied. Where this scale will not be
signed by the operators, the strike will
become effective and probably protncted
While q strike in the bituminous coal
districts is bound 10 affect all the people
as industrial establishments which can
not obtain coal for fuel must shut down,
thereby throwing men out Of employ
ment- they are more deeply concerned in
the situation with respect to the miners
of anthracite coal For hard coal is
an absolute necessity to the comfort
able existence Of the great bulk of human
ity and any increase in It's cost is bound
20 be felt severely by consumers And
strike invariably means higher prices
for coal Therefore, the main interest
win attach to the strike of the hard
coal miners, which began today, in
ordor TO advance the interests of their
striking co-nbonrs in tho soft coal mines
With respect to conditions in the am
thacito coal districts, they are highly
favorable 10 thoopoutors. The companie.
have thousands of tons of coal stored for
an emergency. The open winter re
striotod consumption and gave opportuni
ties for extended operations, as "a result
OF which the surplus coal was piled up il
enormous quantities at the various stor
age places One concern alone has
surplus stock of over 100000 tons q
mined coal and the total supply thu
available has been estimated TO be %
much as 100000 TONS Il will thus b
seen that the operators are strongly pre-
yidod with the real "sinews OF war" i
the event of a strike
But this condition. SO favorable 90 IN
operators, viii not benefit the great bod
of consumers, further than TO iusu
them "a supply of coal at such pnc,
as the sellers may be inclined to charc
them. And hero is where the public wi
be pinchcd Already stiff advances
the retail charges for coal have bee
made in anticipation OF the strike, ai
that these advances will be mutipli,
should a strike become general is bcyor
doubt. Therefore, the strike means
burden upon the people and the burd,
viii fall with greatest weight upon tho
who are compelled to work for living.
This Is feature Of the situation th
will put people TO thinking Why shou
they be compelled to bear this great bu
den lt is held ON one side that ii
wages of tho coal miners are suihcieu
ia fact, much better. ON the average, th,
the wages OF the great majority of wor
ingmen throughout the country On d
other hand, il is contended that d
operating concerns arc making handsor
profits out of tho coal business, as
tested by the high quotations for th,
stocks, convincing proofs that dividen
are generous.
Then, why should not the cost of {
strike be imposed upon the parties to il
the operators and tho miners -inste
OF being ridely thrown upon the CO
sumers II the miners win the fg
they will be recompensed by higher wag
II the operators win, they will save en-
mously between the present wages a
the increase demanded by the workC
But, under conditions that have prevail
and are likely 70 be renewed, the peo
must bear the burden of the strike C,
no matter which side wins.
No wonder, therefore, that they !,
upon the strike situation with the deep
concern.