The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-28
FACE TO FACE FOR THE FIRST
TIME BEFORE THE ARBITRA-
TON COMMISSION
THAT BODY WILL PERSONALLY
INSPECT TIE COAL FIELDS
Mr.. Baer Objects to the Presence of
Mr.. Mitchell as a Representative of
the Miners Union-The Commission
Declines an Offer of a Special Train
From the Operators.

anthracite strike commission today
held its first conference with the par
ties to the controversy. There was a
representation of both operators and
miners and members of the press and
numerous other persons were present.
The conference took about two hours
and was given up entirely to discus
sion Of the time and method of pro-
ceeding with the proposed investiga-
ton.
The cmmission decided to begin it's
work next Thursday morning, the first
day of the investigation to be devoted
to a physical examination of the mines
and homes of the miners, starting in
the vicinity of Scranton. The anthra-
cite field will be covered. There was
considerable discussion over a PROPOSE
ton made by the commission to have
expert accountants appointed to audit
the standard wages and classification
of miners to be made by the operators
for the use of the commission, but no
result was reached on this point be-
yond the announcement by the chair
man of the commissions intention to
appoint such an, accountant in case his
services should be found necessary.
Mr.. Mitchell, as the representative Of
the miners, presented a copy of the
original declaration of the miners as
forwarded by the Shamokin convention
as the basis of the demands of the
miners. This demand is, first, for an
increase of 20 per cent in wages of
those not engaged by the day; second, a
reduction of 20 per cent in working
hours of those engaged by the day;
third, the payment for coal mined by
weight at minimum rate of 60 cents
per ton Of 2,240 pounds; fourth, a wage
agreement between the operators and
miners for an adjustment of wages.
Baer Objects to Mitchell.
Mr.. Baer, on the part of the coal
operators, took exception to Mr.. Nit
chelFS appearance before the conlrSis-
sion as a representative of the Mine
Workers union, but said he had no
objection to his presence as a repre-
sentative of the strikers as such in an
individual capacity.
The commission made no attempt to
settle the point, but it was apparent
that the question of the recognition of
the union would be an important and
knotty point to the arbitrator.
Judge Gary. president of the commits
sion, read the order of the president,
creating the commission, and in gen
eral way outlined the procedure to be
followed in the presentation of the
issues. He stated that in accordance
with the immemorial practice among
English speaking peoples, the COM
mission would first receive the state
ments or demands of the miners, who
were to be regarded for the purposes
of this case as the prosecutors. The
reply of the other side would then be
heard, in order that the commission
might have before it a definite issue.
Presidents Baer and Thomas sug-
gested to the commission that it pro-
coed at once to the coal fields in order
that it might be informed at the outset
as to conditions there.
Mitchell viii File.
It was agreed that Mr. Mitchell
should file with the commission next
Monday a detailed statement of the
claims of the miners. The statement
he read today was preliminary state
ment of the case. The representatives
of the operators announced that they
would file an answer thereto within
three days of that time. Mr.. Baer said
the operators would be prepared to
meet the miners in the region and to
assist in giving all information. Many
of the individual operators are not
represented and they were not consult
ed and were not compromised by the
letter he had written.
Judge Gray suggested that they
could be represented.
At the meeting next Monday they
would determine which of the COM
panies could be taken up first and the
place of meeting could be determined
by the location of the coal company
taken up.
Mr.. Baer made a point of saying
that the case of each coal company
should be dealt with separately. He
would contend for the sliding scale
of wages.
ST shall urge the adoption of the
proft-saving plan,'' he said, which
gave us peace formerly in our rela-
ton to our employees
Mr.. Thomas, of the Hillside Iron
and Coal and the Pennsylvania Coal
companies, said that he NOTICED that
the word arbitration had been ap-
piled to the commissions work, while
he wanted it considered as an investi-
cation.
Arbitration 1t Is.
Judge Gray said that the presidents
instructions settled that it was an arbi-
tration.
Mr.. Thomas also urged that the con-
ditions in each of the groups were diff
ferent and could only be considered
separately. He thought much progress
could be made by a physical examina-
ton Of the coal region. He thought
that as many of the interests were
Continued on Fourth Page.