Year: 1869

From the Mahanoy pal Gazette. May 1871


The miners OF the anthracite coal region had az II
was supposed, ,'formed perfect, compact union and
IL was agreed among them that they would In ali OF
the regions SUSPEND operations for at least two
The matter was entirely in the hands Of the men
the operators had nothing to do with 1t, and
trade there was a reasonable prospect that the
supply would bc regulated not to overstock the
market, and the business and prices kept steady.
The fact OF the proposed suspension was promul.
gated, and dealers abroad acted accordingly and
lad IN large stocks. Then, AT the eleventh hour the
hyde Park miners IN the employ OF the Delaware,
Lackawa anna and Western Coal Company. who are
members OF the Miners Union, voted unanimously
not to suspend. The action, to say the least is not
only unfair to their fellow workmen but Will have the
effect to destroy the usefulness TO the miners OF
the association In which they prolessed to feel an
interest II all the regions still go on working, this
action Will result dlsastrously TO the Hyde Park
miners; for the market will become glutted with
wages stop while If only the miners OF this region
suspend the Luzerne men Will be benefited at the
expense OF their fellow worknen OF Scnuplkil. In
raspect OF the case we do not envy the position
In which the Luzerne miners have placed themselves
II Is mean. contemplate, dishonorable.


Now. the whole effect OF this course unless recon-
sidcred and at once win oe bad on the trade for the
balance OF the season. II will not he long before
the condition OF the trade viii compel the operators
10 stop orreduce wages to q point which VIII be
severely felt by the miners In short, It viii uu-
settle confidence, depress general business and
make things In connection with the trade much
worse than If a suspension had never been agreed
upon.


we would suRRest 10 the Miners Union. tf they de-
sire to make their organization effective for good In
the future as well as this year. TO endeavor yet to
erect an arrangement for general suspension OF
mining for about two weeks this month, aud for
other suspension OF similar length OF time. n the
trade should require 1t, In about three months With
such an arrangement the trade would be fair until
the end OF the season and miners wages could be
kept up to retnunerative rates.


It is an undeniabe fact that without an adequate
protective tariff and with the present depression IN
the manufacturing interests OF the country, the
tiraclte coal regions have the capacity 10 prouuce
more coal than the market requires. Common sense
dictates that when this IL the the supply should
be graduated to meet only the wants OF the
sumers. , Produce more, and, presto, change,
comes hat. The miners OF all the regions
have u In their power to systematically reg
ulate this matter II they VIII. But they must 6rst
establish union the laws OF which IN this respect
must he rfgidly enforced In every region IN this
state producing anthracite coal. Remember that IN
real union there IL strength n this eau be erected
all Will be WELL II not, then the trade will continue
TO experience the vclssitudes which have marked
Its progress since Its establishment.


We speak earnestly and plainly. hut truthfuly
ana honestly, In this matter, and " the course we
advocate be followed. not only the coal trade, but
every hr8ncn Of business connected thcrowith, viii
bc benefited thereby.