The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-28

time presenting II in the shape OF n
proposition that only one expert account
ant be appointed who should analyze the
statement made by both sides TO the con-
troversy and verify the facts for the con-
sideration OF the commission.
Mr.. Baer promptly accepted this sug-
gestion. and Mr.. Mitchell followed suit
after brief explanation on his part. He
said that the plan was not entirely In
accord with the wishes OF the miners who
are anxious to avoid all discussion as TO
the Interpretation OF figures.
President Gray then announced that
the commission for the present would
proceed without appointing an expert.
but that II would require that statements
should be prepared and then, he added.
an accountant could be secured In case
1t was found his services were needed.
A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.
The question OF the examination by the
commission into the conditions under
which the mining OF anthracite coal is
conducted was then entered on, and MIR.
Watkins OF the commission suggested
that a week or ten days time would be
necessary In order to make an adequate
Of the physical conditions at
the mines He appealed to Mr.. Thomas
for his opinion as to the time necessary.
and that gentleman replied:
You will certainly need that much
time. should think that 80 days would
be none too little.
We've grown gray in our study OF that
question"
Mr. Baer also fell In with the sugges-
ton, saying that Il would be impossible
to do justice TO the investigation without
n complete physical inspection OF the
mines and the methods OF operating
them.
Mr. Mitchell thought that not only
should there be an inspection OF the mines
but also of the homes OF the miners. He
considered this investigation necessary TO
complete understanding OF the subject
WILL BEGIN THURSDAY.
commission, President Gray announced
that IL would begin It's inspection next
Thursday commencing Its work in Dis
trict No. /. In which the city OF Scranton
is located While no conclusion was
reached on the subject the conversat ton
among members OF the commission indl-
Gated that II is their purpose to investi-
gate mining operations In a number of
the mines.
While the subject was up, Mr.. Baer
said that the mine operators would FUR
nish all facilities at their command to
enable the commission to make It's I'm
vestigatioE thorough, adding that they
Wouil pace n speCial tram NJ the GlS-
posal Of the commission. providing also
for the accommodation of a representa-
tive of the miners.
The public meeting of the commission
then came to a close and the commits
sioners retired for the purpose OF pri-
vate consultation. They first took up the
question which had been raised by the
profrer OF a special train by Mr.. Baer
and unanimously decided not 10 accept
the train.
The exchange OF Views which followed
brought out the fact that the commission
ers expect personally to pay all OF their
expenses. accepting no favor and relying
on the government to reimburse them N
so disposed.
Official stenographers TO report the pro-
ceedings of the commission and also 40
act as secretaries for members OF tine
commission were appointed. An agrcc-
ment was reached to leave the Hotel Jer-
myn in Scranton at ? o'clock next Thurs
day morning for the first tour OF inspvc-
ton. There was however, no agreement
as to what mines should be visited first,
that point being left for future determin-
alton