Milford chronicle., 1913-03-07
PUBLIC THE REAL VICTIM
Were Made to Pay the Wage Increase
Huge Profit Added and Deprived Of
Discount

the resolution of Representative Differ
derfer, which was passed in the hous
several weeks ago As the miners
wages were increased only about S.
100000, the strike netted the opera
tors something like s9,45O,OO0.
The average increase in wholesal,
anthracite prices following the wag,
agreement of March 20, 1912, was p
cents a ton, as compared with the
prices prevailing in the previous year
while the increase in the wages of the
miners was between and 10 cents a
ton, the report says.
1t also asserts that the coal com.
panies reaped a double profit, because
they not only raised the prices, but
suspended the discount usually allowed
purchasers in the months OF April and
May.
The gross profit of 13,45O, 900 in.
cludes both the above sources. OF the
total about SIC, 100000 was derived
from higher prices and the remainder
from the suspension of April and May
/ discounts. In addition a large number
Of operators made big profits through
I the sale of coal at prices made pos
s'5le by the shortage of shipments.
I AS an Offset to these apparent
profits the operators contended that
since 1902 the cost of mining had in.
creased largely as a result Of increas.
ingly difficult conditions of mining,
more stringent mining laws and in
creases in axes. As to the contention
that there has been a considerable !
increase in the cost of mining, the re- |
port says that this has not been with Z
out great many exceptions, and that /
the increased price to who, ,esalers I
more than compensated companies .
with respect TO whose operations the
greatest increase in cost has obtained.
Retailers Of anthracite. said the re-
port, took the fullest possible advan-
tage Of the increased cost promulgated
by the operators. In many cOmmuni-
ties, in fact, the retail prices in 1912
increased in greater proportion than
the circular prices of the operating
companies. particularly in New Eng
land.
In all companies included in its find
common control of the coal mines.
and the railroads. as a result of which
the capital invested derived its income
from both the mining and transporta-
ton of the coal. A failure to realize
profits in mining may be and often is
compensated by the profit in the oper-
alton Of the railroad on account of the
coal tonnage, the report pointed out.
Coal for domestic use increased a
fraction over 81 cents a ton, that on
pea coal and the smaller steam sizes
16 cents a ton. These figures were
based on comparison of net receipts
by the operators after the agreement
Of May, 1912, with their receipts dur
ing the same months, June 10 Septem-
Der, 1911. AS a result of the suspen-
sion of the discount many purchasers
who were unable to buy their usual
supply of coal in April or May were I
forced to buy it in June, July or Au- J
gust. when the discount rates were i
smaller, or in September and later, G
when full circular prices were charged.
The report did not estimate how
much more the public paid for its
.oal last year than if 1911 rates had
continued, although it is said that the v
Increase in wholesale prices affected
etail prices directly, and that in all A
these advances were felt. s.
The retail increases averaged 25 cents
ton on stove and 80 to so cents on
hestnut coal.
The report showed that all the op-
rators, most of the dealers and the
miners all gained by the increase fol
owing the wage agreement and that
be consuming public alone paid high
r prices without any compensation. hi
Three Entombed Miners Rescued. u
Weak and numb from cold. the
lree miners entombed for ffty-eight
ours at the Draper colliery, a Phila-
elphia & Reading Coal and Iron com
any operation, near Mahanoy City. Vi
a, were rescued alive. a
Two of the men were completely ex "a
austed. They had to be dragged
trough the small aperture which had e
cen made during the last ten feet Of e.
gging through the wall which sep
'ated the entombed men from lib 10y
-ty. =.
During all the time the men we're ~
lprisoned they were without food or 70,
ater. Their clothing being soaked i
ith water. they suffered great hard SeSS
lip. Immediately upon their rescue ne
ey v ere hurried to their homes in
nbulances. Their physicians do not oui
lticipate any serious results. al
ough they are being kept perfectly ,
iet and interviews are denied. Z
The rescusrs. after getting through s.sI
i.onad ~a,, ~ ~ ngoA .SLa @lr rOck winch i'm az
1ne .Hie men, were forced Ian
walk through water and slush up to +
cir armpits for a distance Of $50 4s
ct. After a search the three men AZ III