The Washington times., 1902-12-15
MINERS CONVENTIONS
proven, SAYS DARROW
Bad Conditions and made
quacy Of N ages Shown.
WILL CONCLUDE TOMORROW
Attorney for Mine Workers Says That
Union Is Necessary for Their
Protection.

SCRANTON, Pa. Dec. I5.-Attorney
Darrow, Of the mine workers. said this
morning that hc will conclude his case
tomorrow
About 125 witnesses have been
heard Dc said. 'aud practically all the
miners points have been proved. The
testimony. together with the personal In
ycsJgauon OF the commission. has given
q picture OF the Ele OF the mine workers
I'D the anthracite regions which it is i'm
possible 10 forget, aud which shows the
condition Of working and living better
than it could be shown I'm any other
way.
-ln addition an the companies have
made schedules OF what they claim was
paid iu wages From the schedules we
DO mo-, See how any reasonable person
cau doubt that the wages are muca too
low. especially when the additional cost
OF living IS considered
Eight-Hour Day.
OF the claim for an eight-hour work
day. 1Ir. Darrow said.
The oomp5nies themselves claim that
the mine aOrEcrs do not average eight
hours day. and if this is true. We do
not see why the present day should not
bee shortened The evidence certainly
shows that eight hours is sufficient for
any man TO work in and about the
mines
what Of the possibilities Of recogni-
( ton Of the uuion! he was asked.
Organization Necessary.
Well" he said. eve think that we
have shown an organization is necessary
I for the protection OF the mine workers.
/ Everyone comedies that the strike of
I 1900 was brought about and -arried 10
/ a successful conclusion by the mine
workers organization. ana it resulted
| In no per cent increase This. Of IL
self. is a Justification OF the union."
But do the operators think sOo"
I Mr.. Darrow hesitated.
I 'l do not know I do not think the
I best informed employers wish for the
destruction OF the union. he said. This
I they cannot accomplish under any cir
Gums tances, and as long as they cannot
destroy IT, they should treat with it,
This hearing has shown conciusively
that practically all the miners belong to
I the union and that when The union is
I a''f."a WIN NAA NAAf AalAlAt-Ao arc repre-
sented-"
Attorney Wolvcrton. OF the Philadel-
phia and Reading. viii make TIE Joint
opening address for the operators as
soon as the miners conclude their case.
Mill Gnls at Confession.
/ A dozen little mill girls Who worked
an night were Darrsw's guests at break
Z raef s4 tb, Er.t.t f.-----. .t.t.. ---s---
Preparatory 10 going on the witness
stand the little girls. Irish and Polish.
had gone TO confession.
The mine workers Will attempt 10
show by these girls, who are from eleven
to fourteen years OF age. that their
fathers are so poorly paid that it is
necessary TO take these girls out Of
school and make them work at a tender
age In order TO and in supplying the fam
/ lies with food
When the commission opened this
morning Judge Gray said that there
. had been prepared blank form in
dlcating the Information wanted by the
commission Instead Of having IL dis
tributed through several thousand PAGES
I or the testimony Judge Gray said lt
would be much more convenient TO have
[ --.- l-l va llle..AaA lA AlAN 4hlII AeaIEel. ana
I ne asked that the companies arrange
/ DO quickly He also again requested the
operators 20 use diligence in presenting
I the wage tables.
Next Session in Philadelphia.
/ Il was suggested when the com
mission adjourned next Saturday that
I the next session be held I'm Philadelphia.
Most OF the operators approve the plan,
saving it will be more convenient for
them to present evidence there than
/ here.
Attorney Wolverton said the non
union men living in and about this
region viii be given the first opportunity
20 present their testimony after the
cpeaing Of the operators side OF the
case. The Independent operators oppose
going TO Philadelphia. but were also
told they could present their case before
q he commission adjourned.
AS the present court room cannot be
bad after The holidays the cOmrIissiOu
I BE- also iu favor 0f sitting in Phila-
/ dClphia, TeconvCning there on January s.
n nnEnrHEHfT nnnn Etr-r