Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-30
OPERATORS KICKING
ON THE UNION
AGAIN
RAER OBJECTED TO MITCHELL AS
REPRESENTATIVE OF ORGAN
IzATIoN-MITcHELL RE-
PLIES.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2s.-Before opening
the proceedings the members of the com
mission representatives of the contesting
factions were photographed Judge Gray
the president of the commission, then
read the order creating the commission,
and in a general-way outlined the pro-
ceedure to be followed in the presentation.
He stated that, in accordance with the
immortal practice among English speak
ing peoples, the commission would trst
receive the statements of demands of the
miners who were to be regarded for the
purpose of this case as the prosecutors
The reply of the other side would then be
heard, Judge Gray said, in order that the
commission might have before it def
mite issue.
At the conclusion of Judge Gray's re-
marks. President Mitchell stated that he
had with him the formal demands made
by the miners upon the company and at
the suggestion of Judge Gray he read the
statement of the miners demands adopted
by the Shamokin convention, the reJec-
ton OF which resulted in the strike. Wal
ter Edward Weyl was also present as a
repre- sentative of the miners. The hear
ing room was crowded with the speople
interested in the case and with spectators.
President Baer objected to the appear
ance of Mr. Mitchell as a representative
of the United Miners Union of Ameri-
ca and added thath had no objection to
offer against Mr.. Mitchelps appearance as
a representative of the United Coal
Miners generally. Mr.. Baer's object was
to avoid the recognition of the mine work
ers union as an order
Mr.. Mitchell replied that the objections
raised as to his status were not involved
in the case. He said that he appeared as
a representative of the anthracite coal
miners, and distinctly refrained in his re-
ply from mentioning the union.
LABOR AND CAPITAL
MEET PEAcEMAKERS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27.-While the coal
strike commission was in session the mine
operators proposed TO place special train
at the disposal of the commission If it
was desired to visit the mines.
After adjournment the commission in
executive session decided to reject this Of
fer of the operators.
WASHINGTON, Oct. H.-The anthra-
cite coal strike commission met at 2
o'clock this afternoon IN the hearing room
of the interstate commerce. commission.
All the members of the committee were
present, occupying seats on the bench.
Mr.. Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers. and. District President
Fahey appeared for the miners, and the
coal carrying roads were represented as
follows:
President Baer, of the Reading rail-
road; e. b. Thomas, chairman Of the
board of the Pennsylvania Coal com
pany and Hilsdale Coal and Iron compa-
ny; Alfred Walter. president of the Lee
high Valley; w. H. Truesdale, president
of the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern; David Wilcox, vice president of the
Delaware and Hudson; John B. L. Herr,
vice president of the Scranton Coal com
pany and Elk Hill Coal and Iron COM
pany; ]. II. Torrey, attorney for the Del
aware and Hudson, and G. l. Cowan, at
torney for the Lehigh Valley company.
The Preliminaries.
Notwithstanding there are quite a
number of details to be arranged, the
members of the commission are hopeful
that they will be able to complete the
preliminary arrangements at one sitting.
So far as the operators and miners have
expressed themselves. they have indica-
ted a willingness to subordinate their
desires in the matter of time and place
of hearing to the wishes of the commits
sion. 1t is the general understanding
that practically all the meetings for the
taking of testimony will be held in the
anthracite regions, and it is believed
that the commission will be able to get to
work during the present week.
Another preliminary question which
will require attention is that as to the
questions to be taken up by the commits
sion. Mr.. Mitchell. who reached Wash
ington at o'clock this morning. accom-
panied by District President Fahy, will
press for a very general inquiry, while it
is understood that the operators will seek
to restrict the inquiry.
Dr. Charles p O'Neill assistant re-
corder of the commission. called on
President Roosevelt today to pay his re-
spects Although the president feels that
matters involved are now out of his
hands, he took occasion to impress upon
his visitors the great Importance of the
investigation and the far-reaching char
antar of the resnlts to be achieved