The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-11-26

choice, and consequently through the
same choice less days per year since the
operators must employ large number
of men in order to secure the output
which might be produced by fraction
of that number.
This Is very readily susceptible Of
proof by our books and those of your
own mining company. You will find that
the men who have had the largest earn
ings are those who have worked stead
lily, just as a mechanic must. while the
small earnings have invariably been to
those who have given little time or care
to their labor.
Again, comparing a miner with a
mechanic, the latter must start as an
apprentice, receiving possibly 60 cents a
day during the first year.
I'm the second year he may earn lit
tie more, still more In the third and dur
ing the fourth about $l.25 day. After
that his wage is from $3.50 to 50 a day,
according to his skill AND good fortune
in securing a desirable position.
IAN immigrant just landed on American
soil. speaking one or two words of Eng
lish, utterly ignorant, is eligible as
miners laborer to a position which gives
him the opportunity to learn and to ac-
quaint his miners certificate while earn
ing between 81 and 81. 40 per day.
Let the Commission bring out these
matters. This testimony can easily be Sc
cured. 1t will clear the atmosphere of
much of the maudlin sentiment which Is
apparent
THUS far the general effect Of the tes-
timony presented has given undue promi-
nence to Mr.. Mitchell. In the four and
one-half days in which he was kept on
the stand the only point of value ascer-
A-lv Ix.~ To- ,ot rxr
the miners and was not familiar with an
thracite mining. Half an hour would
have served the same purpose and pre-
vented much sympathy-creating general
tiles. He said that others knew the sit
uation better-they would be called.
Probably these persons are to be the next
witnesses for that side and If they are
mon with a good record for faithful work.
REORGANIZATION will show that what
we have already stated-that their earn
ings are sufficient-and this could then
be supported by our witnesses.
I'VE think 1t highly desirable that any
attempt at a compromise should tn1me-
diately stop that the investigation should
continue and that one or two Of the in
dividuals with your representative should
collect and tabulate figures of earnings
for the purpose Of presenting them In
evidence. After that our witnesses can
appear"
The meeting of the independent opera
tors and railroad officials lasted about an
hour and at its close President Fowler
of the New York, Ontario and Western
said that President Baer OF the Reading
was preparing a statement. Later the
statement was issued and Baer left at
once for Philadelphia. After mentioning
1t the outset the names of the private"
present the statement given out by Mr..
Baer says:
"They (the private, operators) met the
coal presidents who had signed the re-
quest to the President of the United
States
''They presented a protest against arg
adjustment being made at this time. in
sisting that the principles involved were
SO serious and affected so many interests
that 1t was necessary now to have the
Commission hear all facts and pass Its
Judgment upon the whole controversy.
Mr.. Simpson, as Chairman, read pa
per expressing their views and other gen.
tlemen expressed decided opinions.
TN the midst OF the discussion
sequest came from Washington
to the operators OF both classes
70 meet Mr.. Mitchell and his as
sociates next Friday morning at 10
o'clock The parties present without dis
sent instructed Mr.. Baer to make the fol-
lowing answer:
1.-THE conditions are such that no SUBJ
stantial progress can be made by the sug-
gested meeting. The general judgment
of the operators that 1t will be best for
the present to go on with the hearing"
The list of operators present besides
those who signed the protest included.
according to the statement issued by Mr..
Raer. Lewis A. Riley, President of the
LehiRh Coal and Navigation Company
and Major Taylor of the 81 Clair Coal
Company. They are called operators
from other regions"