The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-18

many mines are SO equipped as to enable
them to weigh coal, but he did not think
the expense Of equipping them would be
very great. s.- s.
lions by Mr.. Gowen, reiterated his FORMER
statement that one Of the principal gr1eV-
ances of the men was the amount OF top
ping" required on each car.
Mr.. Mitchell added that he had heard
of cases where the men had "crlobed
their cars to make 1t appear that there
was more coal in them than actually was
the case. A discussion followed on the
question of weighing COAL In answer TO
question from Mr.. Watkins. MIR. Mitch
ell said that the present system Is not 1alr
to all men.
"For instance, where two men are work.
ing at adjoining breasts" he said. where
the conditions are similar. one man loads
q car Of pure coal and the other man sends
out a car half Of which contains impura-
ties. The first one, under the present sys-
tenn, suffers the same as the other. l
believe man should be locked for i'm
purities, but it is not right to penalize
the men who send up the pure product.
The Commissions Questions.
For the first time during the session the
members Of the commission then entered
into general cross examination OF the
witnesses on points which the previous
testimony had not brought out.
ell said the coal operators could form a
coalition and stop the mining OF coal
throughout the United States.
They could do the same as we could
said he, land especially now when the
coal fields of the country are passing into
the hands of few men,
Commissioner Watkins thought the law
would prevent the operators doing that, by
reason of their Incorporation, but Mi.
Mitchell said that they had the right to
shut down their mines.
Judge Gray asked If their society did not
depend, after all, on the old economic
truth that all great forces which tend to
uplift and carry social advancement
and civilization depend upon the average
desire of the individual to better his own
condition and to work for wages; and
upon the desire of man who has property
to utilize 1t and get an income from 1t.
II think that probably Is true" was
Mitchells response.
Judge Gray-r you can imagine all men
ceasing to work at once. the whole So
cial machine would stop.
Mr.. Mitchell-Yes.
A Searching Question.
Commissioner Wright asked: do you
consider it justifiable for the employers in
a certain district In order to resist the
demands Of the labor union, to paralyze
that industry or any group Of industries?"
mo, l do not think it is proper" Mr..
Mitchell replied.
would the same answer be made If
should substitute unions for EN-
ployers?
Il think in either case" answered Mr..
Mitchell, some avenue of adjustnen
other than the paralyzation of industry
should be sought"
Mr.. Mitchell. answering the commits
sloners, said the United Mine Workers
did not incorporate because the step was
not necessary. An organization to be-
come finally responsible, he said, must
have a large fund. and this the working
people did not have. He said that en-
ployers who object to treating or con-
tracing with the union because it Is not
Incorporated would oppose treating with
it anyhow.
Commissioner W asked Mr.. Mitch
ell what he mean recognition of the
union, and the wit replied:
1T means that employers shall make
agreements regulating hours of labor,
wages. ETC., with the union and that the
union. as such, would be held responsible
for a rigid compliance with those agree
ments."
The cross-examination was next taken
up by w. w. Ross of New York. counsel
Tor the Delaware. Lackawanna &, Western.
who had just begun to question the wit
ness when the noon recess hour arrived