Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-30

llH SEVERAL IhTbies W lGb bEiooAHcH1
made with the President were repre-
sented before the commission. Mr..
Baer replied in the negative. lie
stated that there were many individual
who had no representatives
present. He suggested, however, that
these men will undoubtedly desire to
he represented. Mr.. Baer then offered
as suggestion that next Monday be
fixed as the day for the presentation Of
tho case Of the miners, and by that
time the commission would he in posi- [
tion to determine which section Cf the
coal regions should he examined.
Mr.. Baer also stated that, in his
Judgment, if the sluing scale Of wages /
should be resorted to there would be no /
future trouble.
~ wish to contend for the sliding
scale. y said he 1t needs some amend .
ment, / will admit. But it was in
OF efation in the Schuylkill region and
the Lehigh Valley ior 30 years. In |
some of its features it is antiquated,
but it is the true remedy for the labor
problem in the coal regloa, and ! shall
earnestly press the adoption of tho
system which gave us practical peace
for many years.
Mr.. Thomas followed Mr.. Baer in
statement saying that there were many
individual operators who were not
represented before the commission, and
who undoubtedly desired representa-
tion. II notice that in connection with
this commission he word arbitration
has been used - he stated. "Our cem-
panies dc not consider this arbitration.
il is an investigation by commits.
sion, and, although the distinction n ny
be slight, | should like it to be made. T"
Judge Gray interrupted to state that
if the woru had Teen used it WAS not
intended to injure tho sensibilities Of
anyone ami that the effect would he as
desired in substance If not in form.
Mr.. Thomas went on to say that the
conditions in the various anthracite
mining regions we're vastly different.
lie seconded tie suggestion that the
commission visit the spot He said
that no fair examination Of the case
could be made without inspecting tic
ground. lie also stated that at least
five of the companies had headquarters
in New York, and he thought it would
! ba advisable for the commission to
visit that city during IFS hearings.
Mr.. Raer interiecte tho opinion that
| it would be wise TO have statements
and answers prepared while the com
| mission was getting ready to visit the
coal regions Judge Gray asked how
| long it would take the operators TO pre-
pare statement. Mr.. Eaer answered
| that that could be done within three
days. Judge Gray said that the com
| mission wanted to advance the hearings
to conclusion with all possible expedi-
| tion MIR. liaer then said the operators
could file their statements three days
| after the opposition had submitted its
claims. Mr.. Mitchell insisted that he
desired until Monday to prepare his
statement.
Judge Gray wanted it clearly under
tood that the statements to Ee sub
mitted would not include the final pro
sentation of the case.
| Mr. Mitchell understood that. He
said that there was one feature of the
case which might enable all sides to
prepare statements with little delay.
He said he referred to conditions Of u
certain character to be dealt with
which obtained generally throughout
the mining regions. For instance, he
declared, the subject of short work.
day would have the same bearing upon
all the mines and each case would not
necessarily have to be treated in
diyidually.
''In the matter of my status before
| this commission, he took occasion to
declare, II dare say that the objections
which have been filed are not involved
in the controversy itself. | appear here
as the representative Of the anthracite
ccal mine workers y
When Mr.. Mitchell aad concluded
Mr.. Truesdale addressed the commits
sion, saying he represented a CONF any
which by its charter was authorized to
engage in the coal trade. He said it
employed 1000 wnrkmen, and that
Just prior to the strike these men had
held meeting. He vas credibly in
formed, he said, that about TO- 600
voted against quitting work, but that
they were intimidated into striking.
He made the suggestion that the
union and non union mel employed by
his company should be directed to APP
point u committee to meet the officials
of the road to reach an agreement upon
their differences and that any differ
ences which might not be settled should
be referred to the commission now sit
ting for settlement.
Mr.. Wilcox arose to emphasize what
Mr.. Baer had stated regarding proper
l IL.
| He said those present had been rather
forced into the situation of represent
| ing the anthracite operators generally.
lie said they had no power to act in
such capacity. There we're u great
mary individual operators and also d
great many non union men, he said,
who had no representative present. lie
suggested that it would be we'll TO in
vite all these to be represented before
the commission.
Judge Gray agreed to this suggestion
He said it appeared TO him to be ad
yisable that the commission he fur
nished with list Of the important in
diyidual operators in order that they
might be invited to appear before til,
commission. Both Mr.. Baer and Mr.
Mitchell thought the suggestion goot
one. 1t was accordingly agreed to-
Judge Gray then said that he though
it would be d good idea to have hotl
sides OF the controversy agree that
tabulated statement relative to sZist
, ing rates of wages in the different min
ing regions should be made to be take
from the books Of the operators by tw
expert accountants one to be named b.
, tho operators and the other by tn
} miners. lie said that il that could b
} agreed upon much time and drudger
} would he saved. 1t was evident that
good many figures must be handled b
. the commission and that If expert
+ could be employed members Of th
commission would be spared considers
Y BILE work that could lie done by other!
J There was considerable discussion 0
s this point participated in by Presider
! Mitchell, President Baer ana Judl
0 Gray. Mr.. Baer thought that there wi
!. nothing to be gained by the appnin
t mont OF the two accountants. lie sal
$ the companies were ready at all tim'
Q to furnish any information upon II
t books which might be desired. L
said that the companies experts coul
/. perform the work with great ease at