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GOAL TRADE BULLETIN.
Vol. XIII. PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY 1, 1905. No. 3.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN;
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
Copyrighted by THE COAL TRADE COMPANY, 1903.
A. It. HAMILTON, Proprietor and Publisher,
H. J. STBAUB, Managing Editor.
SUBSCRIPTION, - - - - $2 00 A YEAR.
Correspondence and communications upon all matters
relating to coal or coal production are invited.
All communications and remittances to
THK COAL TRADK COMPANY.
926-930 PARK BUILDING, PITTSBURGH, PA.
Long Distance Telephone 250 Grant.
[Entered at the Post Office at Pittsburgh, I'a., as
Second Class Mail Matter.]
THE DISPOSITION of all humanity to claim victory
in the hour of defeat, except when the reverse
spells annihilation, is borne out by the extrava­
gant statements being circulated by the Morris
Run strikers and their friends. The assertions
accompanying the jubilation over the end of their
long strike call to mind the Spanish reports of
the battle of Manila Bay and, more recently, those
of the St. Petersburg government on important
engagements in the Russo-Japanese war. Viewed
from any side or point the Morris Run strike was
a disaster to the workmen engaged in it. It is
true that it was a serious and costly affair to the
employing company, but not to even a small part
of the extent that it was to those responsible for
it. The miners never had a chance to win a
profitable victory. The mines could not have
been operated during the year they were idle
had the demands of the men been granted at the
outset. Trade conditions which the latter were
too blind to recognize, made increased cost of
production impossible. The company has lost the
profit on a year's business and something besides,
but nothing like the loss of the year's wages sus­
tained by the men. Had the latter accepted the
terms offered a year ago there is no reason to be­
lieve that the provisions of this year's agreement
would have been less advantageous to them. But
the greatest pity of the entire affair is the sad
delusion that the result has been a victory. This
delusion, originated and fostered by the same
minds that originated the strike, is not merely
local. It extends to workmen everywhere, few
of whom will get the benefit of the reactionary
sentiment that will set in when the men direc'.ly
affected have counted and thoroughly rea'ized the
cost of their "victory."
* * *
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE of a trip like that ex­
tended by the Pittsburgh Coal Co. to the New
York and Pennsylvania Retail Dealers' Associa­
tion can hardly be estimated. That it is realized
and appreciated, however, is evident to anyone
who cares to note the fact. Despite the liberal
provision made for refreshment, recreation and
a general good time, it was apparent at all times
that the guests of the company were men of busi­
ness, and that that business was coal. Every
opportunity offered—and they were numerous—
for increasing their knowledge of coal in any way,
was eagerly taken advantage of. Many a valuable
hint and many a side light that will be of profit­
able use hereafter were made available. It was
frankly admitted by many of the party that while
the trip at the outset was looked upon largely as
a tour of pleasure, the large amount of practical
information gleaned would prove a big business
asset hereafter. It is safe to say that every re­
tailer who took advantage of the opportunity re­
turned home with an increased fitness for meeting
the demands of his trade.