Chapter M: Thompson (6)

The Durham Coal Owners' Association is unable to make any further
advance in wages unless, or until, a much higher invoice price of
coal is realised than has yet been attained. The owners' accountants
have ascertained the selling price for the last three months (ending
December 31st, 1889) and they certify the net average invoice price
to be 5s. 9.88d. This, according to the recent sliding scale
agreement, would make wages 13¾ per cent. above the standard of
1879. Wages are, as a matter of fact, now 25 per cent. in advance of
that standard brought up to this point, by the special advance of 10
per cent. given only 5 or 6 weeks ago, in anticipation, as the owners
then declared, of higher prices yet to be got.

The owners invite the Federation Board to verify these figures, and
to join in a further ascertainment for the first three months of this
year, with a view to thus determining whether any advance in wages is
justified, either now or in April next.

The owners regard it as all-important that the men employed in the
collieries in the county of Durham should be afforded, and should
avail themselves of, an opportunity of correcting the serious
misapprehension under which they labour from regarding the prices
quoted in the newspapers for what is but a small proportion of the
output as representing the entire volume of trade.

LINDSAY WOOD,
_Chairman_.

Coal Trade Office, Newcastle,
_January 21st, 1890._

The Federation Board resolved to submit the question to a ballot, as it was found that the miners were not in favour of either joining the owners in an ascertainment, or allowing their representatives to meet the employers. The result of the miners' ballot was most perplexing. At that time there were only 48,500 full members, and of these only 25,807 voted for a strike, those against the strike and neutrals amounting to 22,708. Taking the Federation as a whole, the situation was unsatisfactory. For a strike there were 29,048, and against 26,696. There were more than 15,000 unrecorded votes. Under these circumstances they considered their best policy was to call sectional councils, to be held on February 13th. The voting at the Miners' Council was a very large majority for giving in the notices on the 24th. The Federation Board met on the same day, when it was found that the enginemen refused to give in their notices; but the Board decided that the other three sections should tender theirs, and the owners should be informed of the same. Great regret was shown at the refusal of the enginemen. Mr Crawford, acting on the instruction of the Board, at once notified the employers, and received from them a long reply. They were surprised to find no reference made, either in the letter or in the submission to the members, as to the joint ascertainment of the selling price of coal. They reaffirmed their statement that the average price did not warrant the advance. If a strike were entered upon, the responsibility would rest with the side which refused to avail themselves of the full opportunities offered for ascertaining the condition and prospects of the trade. They were prepared to consider whether by arbitration, or by any other course, a strike might be averted, and they invited the Board to meet them again on February 22nd. At that meeting the owners offered an advance of five per cent., making the underground men thirty, and the surface men twenty-seven, per cent. above the standard of 1879. Another ballot was taken--(1) upon this offer; (2) open arbitration; (3) strike. The result of the ballot was to accept the offer of five per cent.

On the 9th of May another demand was made for fifteen per cent. advance. This meeting was in response to a letter sent by Mr Crawford from the Executive Committee notifying the employers of the demand. This they could not accede to. Their reasons were the serious reaction which had set in in the coal trade. Whether it would continue, or there would be a recovery, was uncertain. The most they could offer was to leave wages where they were, and reconsider them in a month. For some time there had been a growing desire for shorter hours, and it was felt by some of the leaders of the Union that instead of pressing for wages it would be better to devote all their attention to the shortening of the hours, and even going so far as giving up the advance. In keeping with that idea the question was introduced to the owners; but the Executive felt that these two subjects were too much for successful consideration at the same time, and they therefore asked the lodges to send delegates to a special Council on May 31st to say whether--(1) they had to press for the entire programme--viz. fifteen per cent., with ten hours' drawing and seven hours from bank to bank; (2) should the cases be separated; (3) which one should be preferred. Finally, it was agreed that the claim for an advance should be withdrawn and the whole attention of the county placed upon the shortening of the hours. A more beneficial decision has never been come to in the whole of our history. In this case time has meant money, and has proved the wisdom of applying the spirit of compromise and arrangement to these matters by men who know the technicalities of the trade.

DEATH OF MR CRAWFORD

We must stay our record of industrial changes to consider a serious blow which fell upon the Association in the death of Mr Crawford on July 1st 1890. It was a blow the force of which can only be realised by those who were intimately acquainted with him, and whose good fortune it was to be colleagues with him. Never yet had an Association a stronger or more capable leader. To see him at his best one had to be with him in a complex question and in a committee. He was not an eloquent orator, moving men's minds by speech, but he was a pilot skilful in guiding their affairs through the perilous times. No man was ever more attacked by men who were never able to reach his excellence in the sphere of life in which he was placed; but this was always certain, those who made the attack were sure to receive cent per cent. in return. His ability was only fully known by those who were in close contact with him. His temper was sudden, fierce for a short time, but soon burnt out. Ofttimes, therefore, he was apt to give offence. He had his failings. Is he to be for that condemned, for where is there a man without them? The Pecksniffs of life may pose as being pure, but _men_ know how far they fall short of that state. Pure spirits are a terror to common mortals, and beyond their reach, and especially to men whose lives, like Crawford's, are cast amid the complexities and complications of an earnest Trades Union leader.

Let us place on record the opinion of his colleagues in the circular notifying the county of his death:

"It is our sorrowful duty to announce to you that Mr Crawford died
this morning at 6 A.M. On this occasion our words will be few, but
they must not be taken as the measure of our feelings. We are in a
position which enables us to form an estimate of his worth to us as
secretary of our Association, and we are therefore the more fully
conscious of the loss sustained. He has died doing his duty--as he
was at Newcastle at Joint Committee on Monday the 30th of June, and
took part both in discussions inside and settling cases outside. He
went to that meeting in opposition to the persuasions of his
colleagues, who saw the delicate state of his health, and how
dangerous it was for him to go to the meeting."

He died comparatively young, aged only fifty-eight. If any of the young men want to see his style let them turn to his circulars, which are scattered profusely through our documents. He had been feeble for some time before his death, but when in health he was ready and vigorous with his pen. He passed from us, but his work still lives, and will live so long as the Durham Miners' organisation remains; and if the workmen in folly should allow it to fall, then the work he did for them will be their greatest condemnation.

The vacancies caused by his death were filled up by Mr Patterson becoming corresponding secretary, Mr Wilson being made financial secretary, and Mr Johnson being elected treasurer. The political vacancy was supplied by the nomination and election of Mr Wilson for Mid-Durham.

THE SHORTENING OF HOURS

At the Executive Committee meeting on July 3rd this matter was under discussion, and it was resolved to ask for a meeting with the owners "on the seven hours' and ten hours' drawing." The interview did not effect a settlement, and the Committee decided to ballot the county. It was submitted as "Strike," "No strike," and the result was, for strike 30,484, with 2728 against. This result was sent to the employers, with a request for an early meeting. It was held on August 14th. The original request was a reversion to the hours worked prior to Mr Meynell's award:

"Foreshift men to go down at 4 A.M., back-shift to be loosed to
commence to ride at 4 P.M., and no colliery to draw coals more than
ten hours per day, for two shifts of hewers. The drawing hours in the
night-shift collieries to be in proportion to the day shift."

In that request there is no mention of the seven hours. This omission the Committee explained. If they had asked for seven hours they would have lengthened the hours of those men who were loosed by their marrows in the face. In their opinion the plain request of seven hours would have increased the hours in those cases on an average of at least half-an-hour per day, and would have compelled a system of overlapping in all such cases, because a signed agreement would supersede all customs. As a counter proposal the employers submitted the following:--

_August 19th, 1890._

SEVEN HOURS' AND TEN HOURS' COAL DRAWING

The Owners' Committee offer as a settlement that hewers' shifts be on
an average of foreshift, and back shift not more than seven hours,
reckoned from the last cage descending to the first cage ascending,
and from the last cage descending to the last cage ascending; the
present coal-drawing arrangements remaining unchanged. The custom of
shifts changing in the face to be maintained. Failing the acceptance
of this offer, the Owners' Committee propose that the whole question
of hours be referred to arbitration.

You, on the other hand, have urged that there should be simply a
return to the drawing hours, and arrangements consequent thereon,
prevailing prior to Mr Meynell's award in April 1878.

It will be the duty of the Owners' Committee to report this to a
general meeting, but in order that that meeting may fully understand
what such a proposal means, it is necessary to obtain information
from each colliery as to its hours and arrangements prior to April
1878. The Owners' Committee will proceed to ascertain this, and it
suggests that your deputation meet the Owners' Committee on Friday,
the 29th inst., at 1.30, for a further discussion prior to the
owners' general meeting which will be called for this day fortnight.

Yours faithfully,

REGINALD GUTHRIE,
_Secretary_.

The whole subject was placed before a special meeting, and sundry questions were asked. Should the question stand adjourned as the owners requested? Should the seven hours be withdrawn? Should the owners' offer be accepted? Should arbitration be offered? Should the notices go in; if so, when? The conclusions of the Council were to wait for another meeting with the employers, and to withdraw the seven hours as a separate question.

At the meeting held on August 29th the employers placed before the Committee their proposals. Their chief objection lay in the serious loss of output which would follow a reduction of one hour in the coal-drawing time. In any case it would be impossible to bring the change into operation till the contract engagements could be adapted to new conditions; that the change should not take effect till the first pay in January; that if there were a reduction in hours there should be a proportionate reduction in wages; that the Committees of the two Associations should have full power to settle certain points: "Mode of reckoning the hours in ten and twenty hour pits; for coal drawing; for offhanded men and boys above and below ground; arrangements in cases of accidental stoppage; drawing hours on Saturdays; changing at the face; 'Led tubs'; travelling time in relation to distance; co-operation of miners in making the ten hours of coal drawing as full and effective as possible." The Council meeting before which these were placed decided to accept the owners' offer of ten hours, to operate on January 1st, 1891, and that the Executive Committee meet the owners, with full power to settle the conditions.

The appointment of the Committee resulted in the "Ten Hours' Agreement," which need not be inserted here, but a difference arose as to the number of hours the double-shift pits should draw coals. Finding they could not agree, the Committees arranged to refer the matter to an umpire, and two on either side were appointed to place the case before him. The umpire chosen was Mr J. R. D. Lynn, coroner in Northumberland. He decided as follows on December 22nd, 1890:--

DURHAM COAL OWNERS' ASSOCIATION
AND THE
DURHAM MINERS' ASSOCIATION
_re_ DRAWING HOURS OF DOUBLE-SHIFT PITS

Whereas, by an agreement between the Durham Miners' Association and
the Durham Coal Owners' Association, the question of whether the
coal-drawing hours of double-shift pits should be 19 or 20 hours per
day was left to my decision; Mr Hall and Mr Parrington on behalf of
the Owners' Association; and Mr Forman and Mr Patterson on behalf of
the Miners' Association.

Now having taken upon myself the said reference, and heard what was
alleged by Messrs Hall and Parrington and Messrs Forman and
Patterson, on behalf of the said parties respectively, and having
heard and considered all the evidence produced to me, and duly
weighed and considered the terms of the request of the Miners'
Association, contained in their resolution of August 14th, 1890--the
terms of the offer of the owners--the terms of the agreement or
qualified acceptance of the owners' offer by the Council of the
Miners' Association--the agreed working hours of the datal men and
boys--the time occupied by the different classes of men and boys
descending and ascending the pits--the prevailing custom of the
county and all the matters and things bearing upon the question
referred to me--I am forced to the conclusion that the drawing hours
of double-shift collieries can only be reduced in proportion to the
agreed reduction of the drawing hours of the single-shift collieries,
and not in proportion to the number of hewers' shifts; and now make
and publish this, my award, in writing, as follows:--

I do Award and Determine that the coal-drawing hours of double-shift
pits shall be twenty hours per day.

J. R. D. LYNN.

_Dec. 22nd, 1890._

The negotiations were complicated and a settlement hindered by the action of the Wearmouth Lodge. It arose out of the seven hours' resolution. When the Council carried the resolution that the hewers' day should be seven hours, that lodge, without waiting for any general action on the question, commenced to put it into operation. We need not mention the circumstances beyond saying that the colliery was on strike, causing great friction between them and the Committee, and delaying a settlement of the general question, although they were told repeatedly that they were violating rule, and retarding progress.

Before the hours agreement was come to another advance was asked for. As usual, it emanated from the miners. The amount claimed was twenty per cent., and again the date was fixed for commencing, with the alternative of the ballot, and notices if refused. The resolution was brought before the Federation Board, accepted by them, and sent on to the owners, with a request for an early meeting. The discussion on the subject took place on October 27th, when the employers said: "As the application was based upon an alleged increase in the price of coal they must have time to verify the price by the accountants' ascertainment, and as soon as this was done they would meet the Board and give a definite answer."

The Federation Board, feeling the anomaly of their position, and being loath to meet the owners with restricted powers, resolved to ask their constituents to give them full power to negotiate as to the amount of the advance. The result of this voting was a large majority in favour of placing the whole matter in their hands. As soon as possible (November 14th) a meeting with the employers was held. The first question asked of the Board was what was the extent of their powers, and they, the owners, were informed the workmen had placed the matter entirely in the hands of the Board to settle. This, the owners said, cleared the ground and prepared for a settlement, as they had resolved not to make any offer if such had not been the case. It was, however, ultimately resolved to give an advance of five per cent., making the percentage above the standard of 1879 thirty-five for the underground workmen, banksmen, mechanics, enginemen, and cokemen, and thirty-two per cent. for the surface workmen, the agreement to take effect with the pays commencing December 29th, 1890, and January 5th, 1891, according to the pays at the various collieries. By that arrangement the shortened hours and the increase in wages were simultaneous.

Before leaving 1890 we will notice a very important step taken by the miners of Great Britain --the holding of the first International Miners' Conference at Jolimont in Belgium. As this was the first of the series it will be interesting if we give the origin.

The first idea originated in 1889. In that year two Labour Congresses
were held in Paris: the Marx or Socialist, and the Possibilist or
Trades Unionist. To the latter the Northumberland miners sent Messrs
Burt and Fenwick. Prior to the meeting of the Congress those
gentlemen sent a joint letter inviting the miners' representatives
attending either the Marx or Trades Union Congress to meet for the
purpose of a friendly interchange of opinions on questions relating
to the condition of the miners. Some eighteen delegates responded,
and the meeting took place in a dingy coffee-house in a back street.

The interpreter on that occasion was Miss Edith Simcox. The result
was the miners of Great Britain were requested to take the initiative
in the formation of an International. This request was conveyed to
the Central Board of the National Miners' Union (Mr Crawford being at
that time secretary). The matter was brought forward at a subsequent
miners' conference at Birmingham. The outcome was the Congress held
at Jolimont in Belgium in 1890.

1891-1892

Silksworth Strike--Claim for a Reduction--The General
Strike--Aftermath of the Strike--The Eight Hours again

The year opened with a strike at Silksworth. It is mentioned here because of its being connected with, and being the last of, the disputes about the deputies. In order that there may be a proper understanding it will be necessary to retrace our steps a little. At the Miners' Council held on August 16th, 1890, a resolution was carried giving the Silksworth Lodge power "to take the ballot with a view of giving in their notices to compel the deputies to join the Union." The ballot resulted in the notices being tendered. They expired on November 22nd, and on November 26th, at a Federation Board Meeting, it was reported that the dispute between the deputies and the lodge had been settled amongst themselves, and they were ready to return to work. This had been forwarded to the employers by Mr Patterson and Mr Forman, from whom they had received a reply acknowledging the receipt of the information. They having, however, been informed "that many of the deputies, non-members of the Miners' Association, have been compelled by coercion and violence to join that Association, are not prepared to take any further steps with regard to the strike until they have consulted a general meeting of the owners, and this they will take an early opportunity of doing." Mr Patterson and Mr Forman wrote denying all knowledge of any force, reminding the owners that in all previous cases, whether general or local, the withdrawal of notices had always been mutual, and that they had instructed the workmen to present themselves for work. This action produced a deadlock, and three meetings were held between the Federation Board and the owners--on November 29th in Durham, and on December 1st and 2nd in Newcastle. The owners said they were convinced that some of the deputies had been driven through fear to join the Miners' Association, and therefore they could not sanction the resumption of work at Silksworth until the Federation agreed to provide for the security and freedom of the deputies who refused to join the Miners' Association pending the consideration of the question "whether it is consistent with the duties and responsibilities of deputies to belong to the Miners' Association, and that the deputies at Silksworth should have the opportunity, under proper safeguards, of freely declaring whether they wished to remain in the Miners' Association."

To these the workmen made reply that the action of the owners was against all former arrangements made between the two Associations. "In every case that has taken place the men either before or after giving the notices have had to agree to resume work" before the Urgency Committee was appointed, and yet the employers were asking, in the Silksworth case, to reverse that well-established practice, and were demanding that the pit should stand until a settlement was come to. That course of action the Board repudiated, and expressed their willingness to join any body or committee as soon as the pit started. The employers then modified the claim, and asked that a Joint Committee should be formed, and the deputies who had been compelled to join the miners should be allowed to appear before that Committee, and say whether they wanted to remain in such Association. With that understanding the pit should go to work as soon as got ready, and the Committee meet within the next three days, which would mean prior to work being resumed, except very partially. The Board was willing to agree to form the Committee. No settlement was come to, although strong endeavours were made. At last the employers decided to evict the men from the houses. The evictions commenced on February 19th, 1891, and in all there were 106 families turned out, many of whom found shelter with their friends and in the places of worship. To effect that purpose a very large contingent of police was drafted in from other parts of the country, with the usual accessories to these circumstances, the "candymen," to whom the occasion was a harvest, and just the kind of work their natures were akin to, and their minds eagerly desiring, and therefore ready to accept. There were most serious riots, and at one time a violent collision took place, between the crowd and the police. It was not the result of any action on the part of the Silksworth people, but was owing to the presence of strangers. It was customary for the police to escort the candymen out of the village to a large house a short distance off, which afterwards was given the name of "Candy Hall" because of the use it was put to. On a certain night when the escorting took place, the police and their charge were followed by a large concourse of people, some of whom threw stones and various kinds of missiles. In a few instances the officers were hurt. This they bore until they got outside the village, when suddenly wheeling they charged with their batons upon the crowd, many of whom were seriously injured. Before the whole of the people were evicted negotiations re-opened, and the proceedings stayed, which eventuated in the following agreement:--

It is agreed that the Owners' Committee advise the Silksworth
deputies who joined the Durham Miners' Association after the notices
were handed in to pay up at once their arrears of subscriptions to
the present date, on the distinct understanding that they are to be
at perfect liberty from this date to be members or non-members of the
Miners' or any other Association pending the settlement of the
general question of deputies between the two Associations.

On the arrears being paid work to be resumed at Silksworth, Seaham,
and Rainton, all men being reinstated in the positions occupied by
them before work ceased.

That ended the last of the privileges given to deputies.

THE CLAIM FOR A REDUCTION

In the beginning of July the Federation Board met the owners. The employers had made a claim for a reduction on April 25th which the Board met by asking for an advance. As this is the first of the series of events and negotiations which led up to the strike of 1892 it will enable us to better understand that occurrence if we record it in detail. At the meeting referred to, the employers said that as the Board had asserted that the state of trade did not warrant a reduction, but, on the contrary, an advance, they would officially ascertain present and prospective invoice prices, and would then ask the Board to meet and consider them. If that did not lead to an agreement they would ask that the question should be submitted to arbitration. The matter was delayed until November 27th, when another meeting took place. The following statement was handed to the Federation Board:--

OWNERS' STATEMENT

The Durham Coal Owners' Association feel that the time has come when
they must press for a substantial reduction of wages. They are paying
35 per cent. above the standard rates, whilst the ascertainment of
selling prices for the quarter ending September 30th last brought out
results corresponding with wages only 23¾ per cent. above the
standard. The excess measured in this manner is therefore 11¼ per
cent.; but prices are continuing to decline, and this should also be
taken into account in considering what reduction ought to be made.
The last advance of 5 per cent. arranged in November 1890, to take
effect from January 1st, 1891, was given in the expectation that
prices were likely to rise; instead of this proving to be the case
they have declined to an extent equivalent to a 5 per cent. reduction
in wages, thus placing the owners in a worse position to the extent
of 10 per cent. as compared with this time last year.

This is the smallest amount of reduction that the owners feel ought
to at once be conceded, and they are willing either to accept this as
an instalment of the relief that the state of trade imperatively
calls for, or to submit to open arbitration the question of what
change in wages ought to be made.

LINDSAY WOOD,
_Chairman_.

Coal Trade Office,
_November 27th, 1891._

The Board promised to place the statement before the members as soon as they had time to examine it, and at the same time they would send the employers a statement with regard to the application for an advance.

Nothing more was heard of the subject until the 19th of December, when the owners wrote to the Federation Board as follows:--

I am desired to ask you when the Owners' Association may expect the
reply to the proposal as to the reduction of wages made to your
Federation Board at the meeting on November 27th.

This was brought before the Board, when they suggested that the questions should lie in abeyance until the New Year, after which they would be prepared to arrange for an early meeting. On January 14th, 1892, the Board met the Owners' Wages Committee, when three propositions were handed to them--(1) An immediate reduction of ten per cent.; (2) to submit to open arbitration the question of what change in wages ought to be made; (3) to submit any proposal the Board might have to make to the Coal Owners' Association. Failing to receive an intimation from the Board at the earliest date that they accepted one of those propositions, then the Wage Committee must at once lay the position of affairs before their Association, and obtain instructions as to the steps to be taken to press for an immediate reduction.

These questions were at once placed before the workmen by the Board. They, in the first instance, said they did not consider they had the power to make any settlement, and therefore were compelled to take that course. Then they reminded their constituents that when the markets were advancing (and on sufficient reason being shown) the employers gave advances by mutual arrangement, and therefore that mutuality should be reciprocated. They hoped the members would not be rash nor doubtful, for these were dangerous and destructive to their interests. "We must meet these situations like business men. The greatest safeguard is confidence in each other, and, as in the past, we have done all we could to merit that confidence from you, so in this most critical period, if you entrust us with the care of this matter, we shall do all we can to bring about the greatest benefit for our various Associations."

There were three modes of settlement open to them: the first to grant the immediate reduction of ten per cent.--this they would not recommend; the second was arbitration; and the third to place the matter in the hands of the Board to negotiate the best settlement possible. They pointed to the last advance of five per cent., which was got so speedily by acting in the latter manner. Upon these three questions the ballot would be taken, the papers to be returned on or before February 3rd. The voting was: for accepting the ten per cent., 605; arbitration, 2050; Board to have power to settle, 7102; for refusing the whole, 41,887.

The Board then put in operation Rule 14, which gives them power to call the Committees of the four sections if they deem it necessary. They arranged for such a meeting, and laid before it an amended offer made by the employers: an immediate reduction of seven and a half per cent., or five per cent. immediate, and five per cent. on the first of May. If neither of these was accepted then notices would be given on February 27th. With these offers the united Committees sent out a circular. In it they supplemented the one sent out by the Board in January, prior to the last voting being taken, and they warned the county not to be deceived, because it was quite clear that the owners were in earnest, and resolved not to be put off any longer. The question had waited six months. If they accepted one of the alternatives the dispute would be arranged. If they chose a strike, then they must prepare for taking the consequences. On the 27th of February, the day upon which the notices were given, they met and decided:

"That all members of any of the four sections who have not received
notice from the owners must put them in at once, except the
collieries who are not associated with the Durham Coal Owners'
Association, who must work on, providing their wages are not
interfered with."

These instructions were altered three days after, and the members were informed that "all workmen, whether employed at associated or non-associated collieries, and who have not received notices, must give them in at once."

The voting on the amended proposals of the employers was largely in favour of a strike. For agreeing to the seven and a half per cent. 926 voted, for the two five per cents. 1153; for giving the Board full power 12,956, and for strike 40,468. It was then resolved to submit the two highest to another ballot. In the meantime the Board endeavoured to induce the owners to modify their demand still further. On the 10th of March, two days before the notices expired, numerous telegrams passed between the two parties. Those from the Board were urgent; those from the employers as if inspired by indifference, the last one reading: "Owners regret position, but have no suggestion to make."

The Board then turned their attention to the prevention of the filling of the coals that were stacked, and they promised that, if any man or men refused to fill at the pits in the county during the strike, they would see them reinstated into their former work. In some places the colliery officials interfered with the enginemen. The Committee of that Association entered their protest, and brought the matter before the Board, who decided:

That we endorse the action of the Enginemen's Association in the
prompt means taken by them in reference to officials of collieries
tampering with the enginemen, and should any action be taken against
the enginemen they will have the protection of this Board.

On March 11th the Miners' Executive decided to call a special Council meeting of their members on the 12th to consider the situation, and informed the Federation Board of their decision. After a long discussion the Council decided against any reduction, and on the 16th the votes of the whole Federation as per ballot showed:

Strike Federation to Settle
Miners 39,390 8,473
Enginemen 664 821
Mechanics 1,875 1,122
Cokemen 1,127 1,440
------- ------
43,056 11,856

In spite of all these efforts to prevent the strike and induce the members to settle there were some who charged the leaders with not giving the members full information and not daring to put the matter as clearly and as forcibly as they should. In defence they asked the lodge secretaries to look at the circulars and minutes which had been sent to them, and they would find these people were speaking either without full knowledge of the facts or maliciously stating that which they knew was untrue. The Board had placed before the members the various offers, and had in an unequivocal manner advised them that the most beneficial mode of procedure was to give the Board power to settle.

"To this we still adhere, as the wisest, surest, and best course to
be pursued, and we have no doubt that, were it adopted, a speedy
settlement might be arrived at, and all the misery and hardships that
are necessarily attached to a strike or lockout, whether it be long
or short, would be obviated."

The question of the sick members was somewhat perplexing, for the members of the sick department who were not receiving anything beyond the small amount of strike pay, found they could not keep their payments up, and the question was brought before the Council, when the following resolution was carried:--

This meeting deems it advisable to let the sick members who are now
on strike cease paying their contributions for the present, and at
the same time they be not allowed to come on to the Sick Fund. But
those who are now on the Sick Fund have their sick pay continued
until they recover from such illness, and at the same time they will
have to continue paying their contributions, but death benefits to be
paid to all.

The banking account as per the balance sheet for December 1891 was £36,000. There was £15,834 in property in the various halls in the county, and there had been so much money spent in local strikes that it had been impossible to accumulate money to the extent they should have done. The members were informed that the amount available would only enable the Committee to pay 10s. to each full member and 5s. to each half member, for they were compelled by rule to reserve £10,000 for the Sick Fund.

The strike being fairly started the Federation Board found themselves in a position analogous to that of 1879. The best they did receive (from a large number of people) was slander and vile names, and all because they, realising the dangers of the situation, dared to advise the county and take an unpalatable but manly stand. Meetings were held everywhere, and the speeches delivered were interlarded with epithets of the lowest order; and if the estimate of the agents was even only approximately true they were fit for no place outside a prison, for the most corrupt motives were attributed to them. They were betrayers of their trust, and were selling the interest of the men for their own gain. The main spreaders of those untruths were men from the outside: sailors who loved to sail on land better than sea, and coal porters from London, who thought they knew more about the miners' affairs than the men of the county did. In addition, there were those who believed in brotherhood, and thought the most effective means to establish it was by sowing discord broadcast among a people engaged in an industrial death struggle. The severity of the struggle may be gathered from the fact that 10s. per member and 5s. per half member was all that was available in the funds, and after being off nearly eight weeks the money gathered in from helping friends amounted to 5s. and 2s. 6d. respectively. It took £1000 to give each member of the Federation 4d. each.

After being off work close upon eight weeks the Federation Board sought a meeting with the owners for the purpose of talking "over the situation with a view of putting before the members of the various Associations any suggestions that might arise." Three days after the parties met, when the whole question was fully discussed. The position taken up by the Board was that, according to Joint Committee rules, no question could be negotiated during a stoppage, and therefore the owners should open the pits, after which the men would consider their demands for a reduction. That offer was refused, and a reduction of 2s. in the £ was pressed. In connection with it they suggested the formation of a Wage Board as a means of preventing the recurrence of a suspension of work. They were then asked if they would refer the question to arbitration. Their reply was very short and decisive: "No; thirteen and a half per cent. reduction must be conceded before we will agree to open the pits." When asked why they increased their demand they said they had done so because the stoppage of the pits had entailed a great loss upon them, and they thought the men should pay for it. In addition, they chided the Board with simply being message carriers instead of men of influence.

There were three results from the action of the owners. The first was to bring the Federation Board and Committees into closer relations with the people as a whole. There had been a tendency towards peace, when the employers took the false step. They had an idea that the workmen were beaten, and there is no doubt there would have been a much earlier settlement but for that mistake. Before, the leaders were doing their best to persuade their people to let them settle the dispute, but afterwards they were in determined opposition to the settlement on the lines of the increased demand.

The second result was to throw public sentiment against the owners. It was very clear that, so long as the employers stood by their original demand, there was at least a silent condemnation of the workmen for refusing to place confidence in their leaders, but after the thirteen and a half per cent. was asked for the public veered round to the side of the workmen.

The third result was to change the feeling of the miners in relation to their trust in the leaders. What persuasion could not do the extreme demand did. At a Miners' Council held on May 7th it was decided to leave the entire case in the hands of the Board. On the 9th, at a united meeting of the four Committees, the subject was discussed for a considerable time, when it was decided that the Board meet the owners, but the Committees to be in attendance. A telegram was sent to Mr Guthrie informing him that:

"The Federation Board having received full power to settle the wages
question, can you fix a day as soon as possible for us to meet your
Wages Committee? Board waiting reply."

To this Mr Guthrie replied that he would call a meeting for the 11th, and lay the message before their members. The meeting took place on the 13th of May. The owners stood firm to their thirteen and a half per cent. The united Committees offered to give five per cent. That offer was refused. The Committees then proposed the following:--

WORKMEN'S OFFER

_May 13th, 1892._

That we, the united Committees, representing the four sections of the
workmen employed in the county, cannot accede to the demands of the
owners for a thirteen and a half per cent., but in order that we may
end this dispute, with the consequent stoppage of trade and
deprivation amongst the people, we are willing to accept an immediate
reduction of seven and a half per cent. from the thirty-five per
cent., leaving the wages twenty-seven and a half per cent. above the
1879 basis; and further, that we are willing at the earliest moment
after the starting of work to recommend to our members the formation
of a Wages Board for the settlement of all county wage questions in
the future.

W. H. PATTERSON.

OWNERS' REPLY

The Owners' Wages Committee regrets that it is impossible to accept
the offer of the united Committees for an immediate reduction of
seven and a half per cent. only. In other respects the Committees'
proposal is acceptable.

The Wages Committee must again point out that the ascertainment of
selling price for the month of February showed that the owners are
entitled--according to the relation of wages to prices that so long
prevailed, and which the owners still regard as fairly and fully
measuring the rates that can be afforded--to a reduction of fifteen
per cent. from the standards. In asking for thirteen and a half per
cent. only the owners feel that this is the smallest reduction that
they would be justified in accepting. They believe, having regard to
the deepening depression of trade, that any higher rate of wages than
would be thus established must lead to a serious diminution in the
amount of employment that could be afforded.

REGINALD GUTHRIE.

These were sent out with a statement of the case, with three questions upon which the members were asked to vote: Should the owners' terms be accepted? Should the strike continue? What suggestion had they to offer? In the circular sent out four days after these questions the Federation Board pointed out the seriousness of the position. It was difficult to carry on the struggle much longer. Arbitration had been offered to the employers, the pits commencing at the old rate. That had been emphatically refused, although it might have been accepted, if agreed to at the first. One suggestion had come to them--viz. to offer to accept a reduction of ten per cent. This was sent out as from themselves, and was carried by a majority of nearly four to one. When forwarded to the owners it was refused. The following is the resolution:--

_May 23rd, 1892._

RESOLUTION

That we, the united Committees, representing the four sections of the
workmen employed in the county, adhere to our refusal to accede to
the demand of the owners for a thirteen and a half per cent.
reduction, but in order that we may end this dispute, with the
consequent stoppage of trade and deprivation amongst the people, we
are willing to accept ten per cent. reduction from the thirty-five
per cent., leaving the wages twenty-five per cent. above the 1879
basis; and further, that we will at the earliest moment after the
starting of work recommend to our members the formation of a Wages
Board for the settlement of all county wage questions in the future.

Seeing the Owners' Committee have refused our offer of ten per cent.
reduction, and press for their full claim of thirteen and a half per
cent. in wages as a settlement of the present dispute, we offer to
submit the whole question to open arbitration, providing the pits be
opened out at once.

On the refusal of this offer it became clear to the workmen that they were being most harshly dealt with, and as a natural consequence there were a few outbursts of temper and disturbances. There were numbers of policemen imported into the county. Against this the united Committees protested, and pointed out that the massing of these men was likely to cause disturbance, where otherwise there would be peace. They likewise thought the rate-payers should demand the withdrawal of the policemen, as they were an unnecessary burden upon the county. At the same time they placed before the county a detailed account of the whole proceedings from the initiation of it. They showed that they had done all they could in the interests of peace. They had offered to submit to a reduction, the justice of which had never been sufficiently proved; in fact, they were willing to give two and a half more than the owners asked for when they came out, which was equal to the fullest demand before the stoppage. They concluded by saying:

The future of this awful struggle is with the owners. We have done
our part. We cannot and do not ask you to accept the unjust and
exorbitant demand made upon you. So far as we can see, the struggle
must continue, that is, unless you are prepared to submit to the
unjust demands of the owners. Are you prepared to do this?

We implore you to be patient under the strain placed upon you by the
latest action of the owners, from which it is evident that they would
crush you, and reduce your manhood to the level of serfdom. We urge
you to be law-abiding and still continue to show, as you have done in
the past, that the men of Durham are a credit, not only to Trade
Unionism, but to the country at large.

The owners are aware that our ability to successfully resist their
demands depends upon our being able to procure the necessaries of
life. It is a matter which they have no need to personally fear, but
which they appear determined to use as a weapon to force us to accept
their terms. We must all do our best to defeat their projects, and
nothing shall be left undone that we can do to secure subscriptions
in order that our people may have food. We are thankful to those
friends who have helped us, and we hope that workmen and all lovers
of justice will respond to our appeal.

As Committees, we tender our thanks to the leaders and friends at our
local lodges, who have so untiringly and unceasingly given their
labours for that purpose. They are in a good cause, and we are sure
they will not weary in their well-doing. Their action is made more
necessary by the determination of the owners.

The offer of the employers (thirteen and a half per cent.) was submitted to the county along with the alternative of strike, with the result that every section voted by large majorities for a continuance of the strike, the least majority of any section being near four to one, and in one section nine to one. The resources of the men were gone, but their spirit of determination was strong. The owners by a statement tried to put themselves right with the public, but the Board replied by a counter statement. Then some of the influential men in the county (including Bishop Westcott) thought it was time to interfere, and letters were written by them to the Board, for which thanks were sent in reply. Among the communications was one from N. Wood, Esq., M.P., in which he expressed his regret at the failure to settle and the great misery among the people, and suggested that the Board should make an offer of eleven and a half. A letter of thanks was sent to him, expressing surprise that he should make the suggestion, and informing him that they would feel glad if he would try to get the owners to see that they were preventing a settlement by their stubborn refusal to shift from their demand for thirteen and a half per cent. The good Bishop, however, was not satisfied, and persisted in his endeavours to get the parties together. He was told that as soon as the owners were willing the Board would meet, and an arrangement was made on June 1st at Auckland Castle. A very long joint meeting took place, and then each party met in a separate room, the Bishop passing from room to room, full of solicitude for a settlement. At nearly the final stage of the proceedings he tried his best to persuade the workmen to offer eleven per cent., and he was told that, while he had their most profound respect, and they were sorry to refuse him, yet if they thought ten and a half would settle the dispute they would refuse, and continue the strike. At that point the parties met jointly again, when the following resolution was handed to the workmen:--

OWNERS' OFFER

The Federation Board have offered explanations as to the
establishment of a system of conciliation in the future, which the
Bishop of Durham recommends the owners to accept as satisfactory, and
the Bishop having strongly appealed to the owners--not on the ground
of any judgment on his part of the reasonableness or otherwise of the
owners' claim of 13½ per cent., but solely on the ground of
consideration for the impoverished condition of the men and of the
general prevailing distress--to reopen the pits at a present
reduction of 10 per cent. (that is, from 35 to 25 above standard),
with the full expectation that wages will hereafter be amicably
settled by the system of conciliation contemplated, the owners yield
to the Bishop's appeal on these grounds, and assent thereto.

Bishop Auckland,
_June 1st, 1892._

It was thought desirable to settle certain details before work was resumed. Amongst these was the restarting of all men as they came out. Some of the owners demurred, and thereupon the meeting broke up, and adjourned until Friday, the 3rd. The workmen at that meeting asked for a plain statement that every man would be engaged at his own work. The proposal of the owners was as follows:--

OWNERS' RESOLUTION

1. The Owners' Association have decided that no person shall be
refused employment in consequence of having taken part in the affairs
of the Workmen's Associations during the strike; they cannot,
however, give a pledge to re-employ all their workmen, but they will
recommend their members to employ as large a number as possible, and
that the re-engagement of hewers be as follows:--That the places in
each pit be cavilled for according to the last cavilling sheet, and
that men cavilled to the places not intended to commence again shall
be the ones not to be employed, it being understood that one hewer in
a family being cavilled to a place that is to work is equal to the
engagement of the whole family. In cases where a whole seam is
stopped, it having been previously cavilled separately, the men
belonging to such seam shall not be entitled to have a cavil put in
for any other seam. This mode of re-engagement shall not be adopted
as precedent in future cases, either in discharging or employing
workmen.

2. That the owners are not prepared to discharge or remove the
workmen whom they have employed during the strike for the purpose of
reinstating other workmen who were previously employed, but will use
their best endeavours to re-engage those previously employed as
vacancies occur.

REGINALD GUTHRIE,
_Secretary_.

Durham Coal Owners' Association,
_June 3rd, 1892._

The united Committees objected to the second portion, but were willing to accept the first. No definite agreement was come to, but there was an understanding that the matter would be allowed to adjust itself smoothly, which it did, and no disturbance whatever took place in the absence of an agreement. The united Committees guarded themselves by drawing up a resolution, in which they interpreted the owners' resolution to mean that every man would be re-employed as before the stoppage. At the same time they informed their members that if any case of refusal took place, then all the other men must refuse to work.