The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-04-10
MINERS
CONDITION.
THE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATING COM
MITTEE GO TO THEIR HOMES.
WILL GONE HERE NEXT WEEK
VERY LITTLE INFORMATION CLEANED,
NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN.
PROCEEDINGS GIVEN IN DETAIL I
After a Brief Session This Morning the
Members Of the Commission Left For
Their Respective Homes-Wn
Return on Thursday--A
Detailed Report
Special stan correspondence.

Special staff correspondence.
MAHANoY CITY, April 10. 1897.
The joint Senatorial and Legislative An
thmcite Investigation Commission, appointed
in response to a petition to Gov. Hastings
from the people Of Ma hanoy City to look
into the condition of the miners and the
caused. oumed until next Thursday after
holding an adjourned session last night Of
about two hours and brief one this morn
ing. The commission will return to Maha-
noy City to give Senator J. J Coyle, who is at
Pittsburg at present chance to give Lis
version of the situation.
The members Of the commission were sur
prised that arrangements had not been made
to have witnesses ready to appear before
them. The names of several were presented
upon the arrival of the committee but they
did not represent the mining element, and the
commission was not sparing in its criticism.
After finishing its work at Mahanoy City
the commission will come to Shenandoah
Due notice of the date will be given so that
there may be a variety of witnesses on hand,
representing the miners, as well as the bus-
ness men.
After examining John w. Parker, editor Of
the Mahanoy City Record, this morning, the
members of the committee left for their re-
spective homes. Mr.. Parker testified that
dire distress prevailed among the mine
workers. He said the condition at the
present time is decidedly worse than it has
been at any other time within his recollec-
tion.
The following is n full report of the pro-
cecdings before the commission yesterday
afternoon and last night:
! D. NJ. Graham was the frst witness called
before the Commission and was sworn by
/ Chairman Meredith, and after giving his
residence as MahanOy City aud his business
a general merchant, stated that he signed the
/ petition to the Governor for the appointment
/ of the commission, but had failed to read it,
After a part of the petition referring to the
condition of the miners in the anthracite re-
| gion had been read to him, Mr.. Graham said
I the people were not getting enough to eat
that they were not able to pay for what they
need, and had not enough money to support
[ them. He said he knew this from exper-
/ fence. Il have got families dealing with
me- said he, who took at least S15 or $50
worth of goods to support them respectfully
/ for two weeks. Now they are not taking
more than 81 or IS worth, and are not able to-
day to pay for that had checks brought to
to me last pay day with thirteen cents for
pay. This condition has been going from bad
to worse since the first of the year. / am
losing $500 per month. l can't continue much
longer
Q. Does this condition of things exist in
any other places than the vicinity of Maha-
nOy City?
A. | suppose it does
] @. What is the cause
A. The collieries are only working from
two to three three quarter days week. The
majority Of the people are unable to earn
enough to buy flour.
Q. Then the cause that produces this con-
dition is a lack of labor?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Are you not aware that the same oondi-
ton OF affairs exists in every branch Of bust
ness, not only in Pennsylvania, but through
out the United States2
a. Not as bad as right here.
q, You have given but one cause-that is
The lack of work. What produces this con-
dition2
A. That is something am unable to an
swer, | suppose they cannot sell the coal, or
the coal can { compete with other Goals in the
market.
Q. You are not either directly or indirectly
interested in the coal mining business?
A. No, sir.
Q. And you have no knowledge of the
demand for anthracite coal?
A. No, sir.
Senator Roberts; You said a check showed
thirteen cents
A. Yes, sir
O. Was that his entire pay?
A. Five dollars was kept out for rent and
fifty cents for the beneficial fund.
O. How long did be work?
A. Six three-quarter days.
q. Was he miner?
A. Yes, sir
Senator Campbell; How was it this money
was deducted from his pay2
A. He was living in a house belonging to
the Reading company.
Q, Does the Reading company, when
miners live in their houses, furnish them
with coal q?
A. 1 don't think they do.
Senator Campbell: In our district coal
miners are generally supplied with coal when
they are living in company houses.
Senator Roberts Why is il this man did
not get more than $5.63 after working that
time?
, A. guess it was on account of the place
he was working in.
Q. Some others probably could get three
times the amOunt2
= A. Very probably
Q. 1t depends on the character of the
man aud the place
e A. Yes sir.
, Q. So, that if one man went into a mine
D and worked five days he wouldn't be able tC
earn fifty cents, while another might earn
three dollars
A. l don't know about that Two dollar
is the limit here
Q. 1t is not the fault of the wages, is itY
A. / think it is in this case. The party il
= pretty good man. 1 know it is the condi
4, tion of the place, more than the condition o
the man. / know be earned Sl.50 and S20
4 In other places.
Senator Meredith, Do tho miners prefel
to work by contract, OF by the day
A. ! suppose, now by the day.
JOSEPH MfLEWsKY,
called and sworn Resident of Mahanoy
Il City saloonkeeper and butcher
+ Senator Meredith A what2
v Witness. Keep saloon and butcher shop.
b Senator Meredith; All right what is you
nationality
A. Russia Poland.
O. State to this committee what knowledg,
{ You have Of the condition Of things in tn
anthracite coal region