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.
[Illustration: JOHN JOHNSON, M.P.]
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._