Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-11-12
.BAER MAKES an ANSWER.
President of Coal Company Makes
Answer to Charges of Presi-
dent John Mitchell.
Snubs Miners President Who is Re
ferred to in Communication as
, an "Individual."
Denounces Demand for Increase G
Wages as Arbitrary, Unreason-
able and Unjust.

WdSuluSIOA, NON. 11.-4 uC lCp1y
of President George F. Baer of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal COM
pany to the charges of President Nit
chell of the United Mine Workers,
which has been presented to the an
thracite coal strike commission, was
given to the public during the day.
Mr.. Baer makes no reference to Mr..
Mitchell as the president of the min
ers' organization, but refers to him as
simply an individual. Taking up the
specifications in Mr.. Mitchell's charges
seriatim, Mr.. Baer first admits that
his company owns thirty-seven col
lieries and that before the strike it en-
ployed 26,829 people. Following is a
brief summary of the response to Mr..
Mitchell's other specifications:
Second-The demand for 20 per cent
increase in wages on piece work is de-
nounced as arbitrary. unreasonable
and unjust" The coGpany contends
that after making all necessary al
lowance for different conditions that
the rate of wages paid for the mining
of anthracite coal is as high as that
paid in the bituminous coal field.
Third-The company denies that
the present scale of wages is lower
than is paid in other occupations in the
same locality and controlled by like
conditions.
Fourth and Fifth-Mr. Baer denies
that the earnings of the anthracite
workers are less than average earn
lngs for other occupations requiring
skill and training and also the charge
that the earnings are insufficient be-
cause of the dangerous character of
work in the anthracite mines.
Sixth-This specification made by
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to as too vague
for specific answer, hut in general
way it is stated that the anthracite re-
gions are among the most prosperous
in the United States.
An Unjust Demand.
Seventh-The company pronounces
as unjust and inequitable the demand
for reduction of 20 per cent in hours
of labor without a reduction of earn.
ings for time employees, and this de.
mand is pronounced impracticable. In
this connection the following state.
ment is made:
Because of the injury to the mines
by the strike of the United Mine Work.
ers, the cost of producing coal has
been greatly increased and a tempo.
rary advance in price was made by
this company, but it will be impracti-
cable to continue such increase when
mining operations become normal"
Eight-Mr. Baer says that his com.
pany has no disagreement with any of
its employees about the weighing of
COAL because the quantity is usually
determined by measurement and not
by weight.
Ninth-Replying to the fourth de.
mand made by Mr.. Mitchell, Mr.. Baer
says since the advent of the United
Mine Workers organization in the an.
thracite fields, business conditions
there have been intolerable; that out
| put of the mines has decreased; that
discipline has been destroyed; that
strikes have been of almost daily oc
| currence; that men have worked when
| and as they please and that the cost
| of mining has been greatly increased
He also takes the position that the
| jurisdiction Of the commission is linn
tied to the conditions named by the
coal company presidents which ex
cludes the United Mine Workers from
any recognition in the proceedings
He says, however, that when a labor
organization limited to anthracite mine
workers is created which shall obey
the law, respect the right of every man
to work and honestly cooperate with
employers, trade agreements may be
/