On Monday, the Mayors of Yorkshire, Derby, and Not- tingham
held a conference at Sheffield, and drew up a series of propositions, under which they believed that a compro- mise might be arranged between the coal-owners and the men. These were, in effect, that the miners should at once return to work at the old rate of wages; but that, after six weeks, there should be a reduction of 10 per cent, out of the 40 per cent. advanced since 1888. The owners met on Tuesday to consider the Mayors' proposal, and offered a return to work at a 15 per cent. reduction. On Thursday, however, the men's representatives met at Birmingham, and refused to accept the Mayors' terms. They could not budge from their decision to accept nothing less than the old wages. Meantime, many pits are opening at the old rates, and in Nottinghamshire the strike is said to be virtually over. We fear that, whatever happens to be the rate agreed on, it will be very difficult in many places for the men to secure enough working days to give them a decent, livelihood. Constant play-days are one of the results of depression and bad trade which no strike can counteract, and are increased rather than decreased by high wages.
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