Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-28

son. Bishop Spaulding, and Mr.. Parker
sat on the left. in the order of their names.
| The proceedings covered about two hours
time and were given up entirely to a dis
! cussiOn of the time and method of proce-
Gure.
| Begin Its Work Thursday.
| The commission decided to begin its
work next Thursday morning at O'Clock,
| the first day to be devoted to a physical
| examination of the condition of miners
and the home of the miners. Starting at
| Scranton the anthracite field will be GOV
| cred.
| There was considerable discussion over
| proposition made by members OF the
| commission TO have expert accountants
| appointed to audit statements of wages
| and checks but no result was reached
on this point beyond the announcements
| by the chairman of the commission IN
| tentoE TO appoint such an accountant
| in case his services should be found ne
| cessary.
| During the progress of the meeting, Mr..
| Mitchell as the representative OF the
| mirers presented a copy of the orisinal
declaration OF the miners. as formulated
BIZ the Shamollin convention. as the basis
| of the demands Of the miners. This de-
nand is first. for an increase Of 20 per
cent in the wages Of those not engaged
by the day: second. a reduction OF ~ per
per cent. in the working hours OF those
engaged by the day; third, the payment
70, coal mined by weight at a minimum
rate OF SO cents per ton of 22io pounds,
Fourth. a wage agreement between lhe
| operators and the miners for an adjust.
lnent of wages
Took Exception TO Mitchell.
| A-r Baer, on the part of the coal opera
tors. took exception to Mr.. AHtchells ap-
pearance before the commission as a re-
presenta tive of the mine workers union.
bu1 said hat he had no objection to his
| presence as a representative of the strik-
ers. as such in their individual capacity.
Th,, commission made no attempt to set
tie the controversy but it was made clear
that the recognition of the miners union
would be an important and knotty pro-
bleI,l for the arbitrators
The coal-carrying roads were represent
ed as follows: President Baer, Of the
Philadelphia and Reading; E. B. Thomas,
chairman of the board of the Erie; Alfred
Water. president of the Lehigh Valley;
". H. Truesdale, president of the Della
ware Lackawanna and Western; David
Wilcox yice-president of the Delaware
and Hudson; John Herr, Vicc-presldent OF
the Scranton Coal Company; j. II. Tor
rev. attorney for the Delaware and Hud-
son. and Francis I. Gowan, attorney for
the Lehigh Valley
The miners were represented by fresl-
dent Mitchell, District President tahy,
and Walter Z. Weyl-
Preceding the discussion over opening
the books TO the experts, Mr.. Baer mace
a point by saying that the case OIL each
coal company would be dealt with separ-
scale in the regulation of wages ana urge
the adoption of a protit-sharing plan
II is I'm Arbitration.
Mr. Thomas said he noticed that the
word arbitration" had been applied to
the commissions work, While ne wanted
ii considered as an investigation.
Judge Gray said the Presidents 1nstruc-
tion settled that it was an arbitration
suggestion that both sides appoint
eynerts to examine the books of the COM
panies. was made by Judge Gray. the
chairman of the commission. Mr.. Baer
after expressing his disinclinatlon to ac-
cept this suggestion, said that ms COM
many would submit their pay-rolls under
oath of their accountant.
President Mitchell said that it would
facilitate the work of the commission II
it would accept a general statement on
those issues that affect all the companies
and the mine workers alike. for instance
the question of shorter hours
Mr. Truesdale said that his company
had a plan by which it was hoped to
speedily adjust the differences between
his company and the men. This plan was
for the miners to appoint committee TO
meet a committee of his company and dis
cnss their grievances, and if there were
any such that could not be settled, then
those cases should go before the COM
mission for final arbitration.
Miners Statistics.
Mr.: Weyl. for the miners, said that II
the suggestions of the chairman were
accepted, Mr. Mitchell and himself would
not present the statistics they had pre-
pared.
President Baer, however, thought that
these statistics would be a check on the
company's payroll and should be pre-
sented. Mr. Mitchell responded that he
would not be insistent upon the subject,
and turning TO MIR Baer. said:
..If we are able to agree as to what
rates 10 different classes of woThmen,
their monthly and annual earnings, that
would form basis for any agreements
that might be made on either side
a Waste of Time.
Judge Gray expressed the opinion that
II would be a criminal waste of time to
dispute over facts that could be veritably
and accurately ascertained without dis,
nute when once ascertained. SAID ne.
..tbeir Interpretation is another thing.
President Baer said that the men would
know whether the companies paY-roiis
were right and that no issue would arse
ton that subject.