Miners’ Agitation – Meeting At Mexborough – Mr. Parrott States The Case For The Men.

February 1890

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Saturday 01 February 1890

Miners’ Agitation.

Meeting At Mexborough.

Mr. Parrott States The Case For The Men.

Last night Mr. Parrott, one of the officials of the South Yorkshire Miners’ Association, addressed a well attended meeting of Denaby Main miners at the Lodge Room, the Mason’s Arms, Doncaster road, Mexborough, Mr. J. Dixon in the chair.

During the afternoon Mr. Parrott, accompanied by a deputation of the men, had interview with the manager, Mr. W. H. Chambers, with reference to the proposed new price list and other matters, the result which is disclosed in the chairman’s and Mr. Parrott’s speeches.

The Chairman explained that some weeks ago Mr. Pickard, EP, accompanied by a deputation, had had interview with Mr. Chambers on the same subject, but nothing definite or satisfactory was then arrived at. He was pleased say that the result of that afternoon’s interview was more favourable, though it was still far from satisfying the men in what they thought were fair and reasonable demands. He reminded the meeting that for some years the various ” prices” at Denaby had got lower and lower, until it became absolutely necessary to raise them and restore the former rates of payment. Mr. Chambers had made several concessions that day with respect to what might be regarded as small matters, and for this they were thankful, though there were several points remaining unsettled. But with regard the proposed increase of the tonnage rate paid to colliers, which was, perhaps, the most important to all, Mr. Chambers said he could do nothing; that in fact he had no authority whatever with respect to the tonnage, which was a matter purely for the decision of the directors.

The deputation and Mr. Parrott then asked the manager to do his utmost to bring about a meeting between the directors and a deputation with respect to the question of tonnage, and there that matter stood. In smaller things, however, where the men complained that they were not paid equal other pits in the neighbourhood, Mr. Chambers had met them fairly. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. W. Parrott, who was well received, said the Denaby men lost a battle some time ago, and they had to pay usual penalty of sacrificing prices; the question was how to restore their former condition. He believed that the men could show good reasons, and he believed if they were determined they would get what they wanted. Mr. Parrott instanced several matters where the prices had been advanced, and said a discussion had ensued with reference to the alleged taking advantage of men because they were sent on deputations as the mouthpiece of the general body. Mr. Chambers repudiated the faintest intention or desire to take advantage of anyone; in fact, he said he preferred that the men should come him whenever they had anything to complain of, instead of, as they now did, talk at the street corners, in the taproom, and in the hedge bottom. (Hear, hear.) In the case of men who were in the open market Mr. Chambers said his positive instructions were that when such men were wanted in any place, not having any other work to do, the men who wanted them should select them, and not the deputies —(hear, hear) —and he told a deputy, who evidently had not carried these instructions out, that he did not give orders two or three times over. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Parrott) was highly delighted with the way in which Mr. Chambers dealt with

A Supposed Case of Victimising

on account of the man being an active member the deputations. It showed pretty clearly that Mr. Chambers would not take advantage of men for being men. (Hear, hear.) But with regard to the great question of tonnage Mr. Chambers said he had no authority to deal, and this was what the men were most eager about. (Hear, hear.) What they said, and he thought rightly, was that when they went on strike against a reduction a year or two ago they went in a price less than what was originally offered them, but which they did not accept at the beginning. (Hear, hear.)

Their masters had got their hands on their throat, so speak, and stern necessity compelled the men to accept their terms, and they took the fullest advantage of their weakness. What the men said was that surely to goodness they bad suffered long enough for the strike, and that the time had come when they should again enjoy the privileges that they possessed previous to the strike. (Hear, hear.) They knew the strike cost the company a certain amount money, but they had got it back since then over and over again. The Denaby tonnage rate was a very low one—he did not suppose he could find another so low—and he had tried his best to show Mr. Chambers that, inasmuch they had such a large output at Denaby, they ought he prepared to pay the same price for getting coal as the other owners in the Barnsley seam, because was quite evident that a pit with a very large output obtained that extra output with very little increase of the cost of production over the output of smaller pits. If anything Denaby should be in a position pay a larger price than the others, but all they asked was to be placed on the same footing as the other collieries. (Hear, hear, and a Voice: “That is all we want.”) Although the association was now very powerful, they only wished to deal fairly; they

Would not Injure a Mouse,

but they did say most decidedly that having the power they possessed they could not afford to let anybody else weaker than themselves take advantage of them. (Hear, hear.) He sincerely hoped that the directors would meet them, and that they would pay the same tonnage rate as other collieries in the neighbourhood. If they did not, it was not for him to say what would occur. He always dreaded talking about strikes, but if it did come to that he thought the public should know the facts of the case, that they would enjoy their support. (Hear, hear.) He advocated, in the event of any local strike, the making of a substantial levy on those pits not engaged in the strike, so that they would not touch the main capital of the association in the bank. (Cheers.) They had a balance of about £20,000 to commence 1890 with, and he believed still adding to that amount. There might

A Rainy Day in Store,

and they did not know when it might come. They were not prophets; they could not see a hundred years ahead, and sometimes not a hundred minutes. (Hear, hear.) But knew nothing better than a powerful banking account to keep owners, if times altered, steady in their desire to come upon the poor collier to recoup in the event of their reducing the price of coal. (Hear, hear.) If Mr. Buckingham Pope and his colleagues would meet the deputation this tonnage question he did not think there would be a necessity to resort to a-strike, but that they would get what they were justly entitled to. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the general questions connected with the miners’ interests, the Birmingham Conference had decided to ask the employers for another ten per cent, advance, to take effect at the end of February. This was a reasonable demand, he was perfectly satisfied, but there seemed be a good deal of misunderstanding on the-part of the general public in connection with the advances already received by the colliers. The men’s statements and the owners’ statements certainly did not tally with regard to the disposition of the increased profits derived from the sale of coal.

On behalf of the miners his case was this. He put the price of getting coal at 1s. 8d. per ton —and that was 6d. more than Denaby—but he took in his calculation all sorts seams, and the figure he had mentioned would, if anything, favour the employers. Ten per cent, on Is. 8d. was 2d. One-and-eightpence was the getting price of coal in 1888, and since that time they had received three 10 per cents. Each 10 per cent, was reckoned on Is. 8d., and three twopences were clearly 6d. This, he thought, was a fair way of putting it, and he did not think, taking all the miners of the county, that they got more than 6d. per ton advance by the three 10 per cents.

Sixpence Ton was Sixpence a Ton,

and could not be made anything else. The public said they did not mind paying a higher price if  they knew that the colliers were getting a fair share of it—(hear, hear)—and he now told the public that the colliers’ share in the recent advances was 6d. per ton. But yesterday’s prices of coal were between 4s. and 5s. per ton more than what they were 18 months ago, and if the colliers had got of that, there must be a large margin somewhere. (Hear, hear.) But he wished to put his case perfectly fairly. The owners have had to pay the advance to different classes of workmen apart from the coalgetters —to labourers, to all kinds of topmen, who had received on the average 20 per cent, increase which he pot 3d. per ton all round, which he knew for certain would cover it. In addition to this the owners said they had latterly to pay a higher price for materials, and all these extra expenses he put down at another 3d per ton. Did not the meeting think he was going high enough? (Cries “Yes. He had accounted for 1s. out of 4s. or 5s. increase per ton in prices, though was aware that the owners said that the increased cost of production was higher than he had put it. He stood by his figures, however, and

The Public must arrive at the Conclusion.

(Hear, bear.) Were the employers getting the benefit of the balance? If they were not, who were? Were the middlemen getting it? He had been told by middleman that he was not getting any more profit now than was before. Well, if the merchants said they were not getting it, who were getting it? The colliers certainly were not getting it; they knew very well exactly what 30 per cent, meant. (Hear, hear.) If the employers were getting it, what the men said was that they could afford to give another ten per cent, without talking about strikes or anything else. He wished to show the public that the men were convinced in their own minds that they were justly entitled to the advance. (Hear, hear.) There had been a great talk about a coalowners federation, and it looked if there was attempt to frighten the men. (Hear, hear.) He said let them federate, they had as much right to federate as the men; but what he also said was, do right to the working men. (Hear, hear.) The men had obtained a great advance, and they had got it as much through their leaders as anybody else, because they had to

Kick the Ball Keep it Rolling.

(Cheers.) With regard to the eight hours question, some said that a measure ought to be passed immediately in the House of Commons; that Tories, Liberals, and Home Rulers combined should think about the poor colliers, and that if they had to spend eight hours in hot debate in a pit they would think it quite long enough. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) But they could not get Acts of Parliament passed rapidly as they might wish, and although he said that Parliament ought to do it, be also said that if they could do it themselves, anything towards it, they should not delay by waiting for Parliament, (Hear, hear.) So far as Yorkshire was concerned they had not much to complain of in this respect. There would be strong opposition to the measure. Some people were very sanguine about it, more so than he was.

He Was Not Sanguine

that they get Bill passed; in fact, sometimes he imagined that he would never see the day. did not think one district working eight hours should be handicapped by another working nine and ten hours, because the latter thereby had a larger output and began to undersell. If there were a law passed they would all be on leveL (Cheers.) Lately they had had a little bit of discussion about

What is Claptrap and What is Not.

The Yorkshire Post said so, because a certain gentleman had been making it appear that the working the association was more costly than it need be. But on the other side of the question, as well looking the money spent, they ought to look at what the money spent had done. (Hear, hear.) The association cost £4,000 to manage its work, including the cost the local committees, local deputations, general deputations, council meetings, rent rooms, the cast 116 branches (there were more now—this was in 1888), death claims, and executive and trustee meetings, &c., &c. But a few of those who were not favourable to the Association said,

Look the Cost Look at the Cost Look the Cost!

in order to create dissatisfaction in the minds of the miners. (Hear, hear.) But well as looking at the cost, why did they” not look the other side of the question? (Hear, hear.) The result of the expenditure of that money was astonishing. He estimated that the 30 per cent, granted since 1888 had put into the pockets of the miners nearly a million sterling When they could show such a glorious return as this nearly million for £4,000 —it was a picture worth looking at—-{hear, hear) —and they had not stopped with advances yet. (Hear, hear, and a Voice: “We shan’t, old chap,” and laughter.) But when he put this side of the question to the public, the Yorkshire Post said it was “clap-trap.” Well, all had to say was that he did not suppose that the miners would care, if they got another 30 per cent., if “‘clap-trap” were used again. (Hear, hear, and The Yorkshire Post and the Sheffield Telegrraph told them that it was all account of the grand Government at present in power, with Lord Salisbury at its head—(he did not want to say a wrong word about him—he had been poorly—(laughter)—that trade had got so much better, and that the advances to the camera had followed suit. Now, was there county a pitstead anywhere where the employers had offered the advance without men asking for it? If it had not been for organisation they would never have got it. (Hear, hear.) But for the editors of the Yorkshire Post and the Sheffield, Telegraph—presumably intelligent men—to talk about the advance they did,and give the credit to the Government, and to say that a few men who met together in the House of Commons or the House of Lords, created confidence, and caused the miners to get 30 per cent, advance—if ever the terms “nonsense” and “claptrap” were justified they were in this case. (Hear, hear.) It was ” clap-trap” with a vengeance, especially coming from

Men who had been Trained at College.

There was a bit of excuse if he (Mr. Parrott) talked a bit of ” clap-trap,” for he had worked a pit for twenty years, but there ought to no toleration of ” clap-trap” from gentlemen of light and leading. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) But it did not, matter what they said about them. What the miners said was that they were going to manage their own affairs without anyone interfering. They had managed them very successfully so far, and they would continue to do so. He did not care how they accomplished what would benefit them—whether by ” clap-trap” or ” trap-clap” —if good resulted. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)

The following resolution was passed unanimously:

“That the opinion of this meeting, seeing that the deputation has been successful in endeavouring to establish a price list on the lines laid down us, that the whole case be laid before the Council meeting on Monday next, and we recommend the Council to send ‘some of the officials to go with deputation of the men wait upon the directors of the colliery with a view of effecting a satisfactory price list.”