Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1902 — WILL VISIT THE SCENE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILL VISIT THE SCENE

Coal Strike Arbitrators to Begin Their Inquiry with a Look Over the Ground. WHERE THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT Inspection of Mines and Homes of Miners Begins Thursday, the Whole Board Taking Part in the Look Around. Washington, Oct. 28.—The anthracite coal strike commission yesterday, In the hearing room of the Interstate commerce commission, held Its first conference with the parties to the controversy In the anthracite regions. There was a full representation of both operators and miners, and a number of other interested parties were present. The commission occupied the elevated seats generally filled by members of the interstate commerce com-

mission, Judge Gray, as president, occupying the center, Wright, Watkins and Clark the seats to the right of him In the order named, while General Wilson, Bishop Spalding and Parker sat on the left In the order of their names. The proceedings covered about two hours’ time, and were given up entirely to a discussion of the time and method of proceeding with the proposed investigation. Will First Go Over the Ground. The commission decided to begin Its work next Thursday at 0 a. m„ the first days of the investigation to be devoted to a physical examination of the mines and the homes of the miners, starting In the vicinity of Scranton. The entire anthracite field will be covered. There was considerable discussion over a proposition made by the commission to have expert accountants appointed to audit the statements of wages and classification of miners to be made by the operators for the use of the commission, but no result was reached on this point beyond the announcement by the chairman of the commission's intention to appoint such an accountant in case his services should be found necessary. Basil of the Miners' Demands. During the progress, of the meeting Mitchell, as the representative of the miners, presented a copy of the original declaration of the miners, as formulated by the Shamokln convention as the basis of the demands of the miners. This demand is—first, for an Increase of 20 per cent, in wages of those not engaged by the day: second, a reduction of 20 per cent. In working hours of those engaged by the day; third, the payment for coal mined by weight at a minimum rate of GO cents per ton of 2,240 pounds; fourth, a wage agreement between the operators and the miners for an adjustment of wages. Baer's Objections to MltchelL Baer, on the part of the coal operators, took exception to Mitchell’s appearance before the commission as a representative of the United Mine Workers, but said that he had no objection to his presence as a representative of the strikers, as such. In their individual capacity. The commission made no attempt to settle the controversy, but it was made apparent that the recognition of the miners’ union will be an Important and knotty problem for the arbitrators. Mitchell stated that he was here as the representative of the anthracite miners solely. BAER STATES WHAT HE WANTS Believe* In a Sliding Scale, Which He Calls the Profit-Sharing Plan. During the discussion ns to details Baer made a point of saving that the case of each coal company would be dealt with separately. He would contend for the sliding scale In the regulation of wages. “I shull urge the adoption of that profit-sharing plan,” he said, "which gave us peace formerly In our relation to our employes.” Thomas, of the Hillside Iron and Qoal and the Pennsylvania Coal companies, said he noticed that the term “arbitration" had been applied to the tommission’s work, while he wanted It considered ns an investigation. Judge Gray suid that the president’s Instructions entitled It an arbitration. Thomas also urged that the conditions In each of the mining companies were different and could only be considered separately. .< He thought more, progress could bf made by a physical examination of the coal region. The suggestion that both sides appoint experts to examine the books of the companies was made by Judge Gray, chairman of the commlaalon. He ■aid It would be a good plan for the

different interests agree that the tabulated statements relating to the exists ing rates of wages in the different localities of the mining region be taken from the hooks of the operators by two expert accountants, one to he named by each party, such accountants to be employes of the commission. Baer, after expressing his disinclination to accept this suggestion, said that his company would submit their pay rolls under oath of their accountant. He said they now had seventy clerks who are working day and night in compiling data for the commission. COMPROMISE on the question Of Inspection of the Pay Rolls—Arrangements for a Tour, President Mitchell said that It would facilitate the work of the commission If it would accept a general statement on those Issues that affect all the companies and the mine workers alike; for Instance, the question of shorter hours. Dr. Weyl, for the miners, said that if the suggestions of the chairman were accepted Mitchell and himself would not present‘the statistics they had prepared, because they were ready to concede that these figures were not as full and correct as they would be if taken from the company’s books. Baer, however, thought that these statistics would be a check on the companies’ pay rolls and should be presented; that the men would know whether the companies’ pay rolls .were right, and that no issue would arise on that subject

“Will your statement give the different classes of workmen?” Inquired Mitchell. “Undoubtedly,” said Baer. After further controversy Judge Gray modified his suggestion, this time presenting it in the shape of a proposition that only one expert accountant be appointed, who should analyze the statement made by both sides to the controversy and verify the facts for the consideration of the commission. Baer promptly accepted this suggestion and Mitchell followed suit after a brief explanation on his part. The question of the examination by the commission into the conditions under which the mining of anthracite coal is conducted was then entered on, and Watkins, of the commission, suggested that a week or ten days’ time would be necessary in order to make an adequate examination of the physical conditions of the mines. All the operators favored the investigation and Mitchell added that the homes of the miners should also be investigated, .which was agreed to. After consulting the members of the commission President Gray announced that it would begin its inspection next Thursday, commencing its work in district No. 1, in which the city of Scranton is located. Then It was that the offer of a special train was made by the operators, and the public meeting was closed, the commission going into executive session. The special train was unanimously declined. The eomj missioners expect personally to pay all j of their expenses, accepting no favors j and relying on the government to re- ; imhurse them. The next meeting will be at the Hoj tel Jermyu, Scranton. Fa.. Thursday at 9 a. m. to leave at that hour on their first tour (if Inspection.

GOLD WATCH FOR MITCHELL Striking Miners Present Him w ith a Beautiful Piece of Jewelry. Wilkesbarre. Pa., Oct 27.—President Mitchell was in conference with the district presidents—Nlcholls, Duffy and Fahy—for several hours yesterday. He outlined his case as he will present It to the board of arbitration in behalf of the miners, and the same received the approval of the district presidents. Yesterday afternoon Mitchell was presented with a gold badge and gold watch by the Polish, Lithuanian and Slay members of the United Mine Workers. The badge bears his monogram, “J. M.,” in diamonds just underneath the bar containing the pin by which It is fastened to the coat lapel. Below this is the button of the United Mine Workers of America, from which hangs a pendant—a tiny pick and shovel with miner’s lamp in the center, underneath which is a medallion. The seal of the organization in the center is In the form of a breaker boy standing in the midst of a bank of coal. The presentation took place at President Mitchell’s headquarters and a large crowd listened to the speeches of presentation and acceptance. No Work Doing at WllKeabarre., Wilkesbarre, I‘a., Oct. 29.—1 n order that Mitchell Day might be properly observed there was a general suspension of mining today. The operators would rather the men had worked, hut under the circumstances they are helpless In the matter. The superintendents of many of the collieries were notified yesterday that the employes would not report for worn today. There were street parades and mass meetings in (early all the town* iu the coni region, but owing to the presence of Pres.dent Mitchell ih Wilkesbarre the principal demonstration of the day was held here. Two Men Killed by a Train. Covington, Ind., Oct. 29.—David nutts, county councilman, and A 1 Smith wore instantly killed late at night by a west-bound Clover Leaf passenger train at a crossing. The two men were on their way home from Silver Grove in n light buggy. Both bodies were badly mangled.

JUSTICE GEORGE GRAY.