Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-05-10

trlDuted many OF the accidents to these
men, who are both careless and mex
perienced miners.
General Superintendent Morgan, of
the Susquehanna Coal Company, said in
regard to this that the certificate law
was Ineffective, and he favors its repeal.
He would suggest that a law be passed
requiring men to have five years expert
ence in mining and to be able to speak
English before they are placed in charge
of breast. Mr.. Morgan said that be-
fore being given miners certificate
man should be required to give evidence
and proof of his practical knowledge of
mining.
A number of employees of the Lehigh
and Wilkesbarre Coal Company gave
such favorable testimony that Ma jor
Roberts, of Wilkosbarre, who is one of
the investigators, remarked to the other
members of the committee that he does
not think the company is furnishing
fair sample of witnesses, AS those who
testified are fortunate men who are
working gangways, and what they earn
is not u fair criterion from which to
form an estimate of the earnings of the
average miner.
The last witnesses were chiefly mine
owners and officials. General Supern-
tendent E. ii. laval, of the Lehgh
and Wilkcsbarre Company, detailed the
work of his company and said the rea-
son more work was not given its en-
ploycs was that there was not enough
demand for coal.
A. j. Davis, owner of the large War
rior Run coliery, said he did not know
of any discrimination on freights.
Freight is fixed according to the price
Of coal. The witness stated that he did
not believe there is any distress among
the miners.
Mayor f, NJ. Nichols said he had lived
in Wilkesbarre since 1873, and has never
known of time when destitution has
been more prevalent and bitter among
the miners. His knowledge, he said,
was obtained from interviews with char
liable organizations and poor directors,
visits to the homes of the poor and his
experience in connection with the pres
ent food supply station.
Mine Inspector G. w. Williams said he
believes the present miners certificate
law has done the miners no good. There
are many men mining coal not fit to do
so. Mr.. Williams said he did not know
of any destitution, but have heard of
great deal.
William Leslie said that there is cor
rupton among the miners examining
boards; that English-speaking men Sc
cure certificates for foreigners and get
money for the same. Also that miners
are compelled to trade in company
stores. Chambers in mines are sold to
miners by BOSSES Mine inspectors have
been appointed who were incompetent,
securing their positions through polti
cal ''pulls"-men utterly incapable of
answering the questions put to them
Witness said he worked at all kinds of
work in the mines and declared it would
be better if all miners were English
speaking men. Witness said that he
can prove that applicants for chambers
in mines have approached mining bosses
and given them various amounts for a
job.
Mr.. Leslie also said that one certif-
cate often does for a dozen foreigners.
as they pass it from one to another. On
account of their npronounceable names,
it is impossible to identify them. Mr..
Leslie said that the clerk at Rice mine
is sent into the mine to take orders from
employees who are forced to deal in the
company store.