The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-04-16
INVESTIGATORS WORK.
The superintendent told me it was none Of

the superintendent told me it was none Of
my business
DAVID BROWN
Truant officer over production Of coal and
labor consider as the causes Of the present
condition Of affairs in this region
FRANK wILCOM,
Miner. Employed Ia mines for 10 years In
1896 the condition Of labor was poor and it
has been very poor since January 1st, 1897.
Growing worse an the time My wages for
two weeks have varied from S22 down as low
as S2.45 IL coal was cheaper the people
could buy it and perhaps better the condition
of affairs. The rate of wages in the anthra-
cite region for the last ten years has been
standing. as a rule, All veins at Kolinoor
colliery are worked by cars, which hold p 10
3 tons get 80 cents wagon and g. a yard
Prices vary in different veins, but all the
coal goes into the same breaker aud into the
market.
WILLIAM sAEGER,
Laborer Was formerly a miner Get SS1O
week. l have averaged 3 days week
since Jan. lst. Under tins condition of
things it is impossible for man to live and
keep a family.
PATRICK r. GIBBoNs,
Miner I get 50 per yard Place II feet wide
]
S feet above the rail l make from s12 to $50
for two weeks after paying help and cost.
attribute the condition of affairs To- lack of
demand for coal. If colleries were running
full time I think all could get work.
j. NJ. KALBACH
tobacconist Testified to the destitution In
the town. In one sense I sell more tobacco
/ than did years ago but don't think my
/ business criterion upon which to base
opinions of canditions. Upwards Of 200
saloons i'm the town and the population is be-
tween H. 600 and 20 900. | have heard there
arc number Of speak eaeies in the town They
say the use of tobacco i'm the mines relieves
the lungs of coal dust. franklin b. Gowan
u few days before his death, complained at
Washington that S1.SO per ton freight on
anthracite coal was excess and there was dis
elimination in favor Of bitumiuous coal
The latter coal is now used in all Locomotives
NJ. y. LAwLoR,
Justice of the Peace, of all cases coming t'
my knowledge l should think the averag,
would not be more than s. or So for tw,
weeks pay. Primary cause Of the conditions
is the general depression. l think il is az
gavated by crowding too many people here
The producing capacities at the mines are tal
ahead of the demands. / don't think ther,
is any remedy within the province Of thi,
committee, unless it may find that the main
tenauce of the prices is restricting the con
sumption ] don't think 1t is We had th'
same condition Of atiiirs go years ago. Not
withstauding the combination broke in 1ST
and the companies went into the market
and cut rates, the increase In consumption
was only ten per cent. Full time here vii
not give employment to more than three
fouIths of the men here, which is due to u (
increased and improved producing capacities
] believe bitumpOus has crowded anthracite
in many manufactures. / think if thsr
( was a general revival Of business through
e the country the strain would be much re
@ ieved. believe that the collieres are abou
b 80 per cent below their producing capacity
In about eight months they can produce al
the coal needed by the market for a year
Immigrants are coming here steadily, but
e can't say they are given employment, or {
? the contrary. l believe we pay double tn
e freight for carrying our coal to the seaboar
that is charged for bituminous coal amos
Z double the distance / believe the Legisa
D ture can devise measures to prevent such dis
elimination.
DANIEL RICHARDS
miner. ] work by the car and received Z
cents per car OF ABOUT 5t tons. tllsI wv
weeks of March l received $40. In the sec
ond half $3.50. l have family and rent t
pay. At present time not able to provid
proper support have no suggestions
> make to the committee.
Maurice Morrison, hotelkeeper Testiie
= to the destitution and want of the people
think there is necessity for u genera
hospital in this district.
= The committee adjourned at 1l:3O.
COther testimony on second page)