The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-04
MORE COAL MINES VISITED.
STRIKE COMMISSION IN THE MID.
DIE REGION.
CoNe Bros. L. Company's ReWenentati,e
wouldn't Agrec 10 Abide ny the Find
Ing and the Commissioners went On
Big Blast FriGhiens some OF the Party

HAxLE1oS. Pa. Nov. 3.-The Coal Strike
Arbitration Commission arrived In the
middle coal field district from the Wyoming
region before O'Clock this morning. making
the first stop at Pond Creek. where they
were Joined by District President Duffy
and National Board NJ. mher p. @. Gallagher
representing the United Mine Workers and
who accompanied the commission through
out their tour Of the region.
The slope at Pond Creek has been under
water since the strike began and the COM
mission decided "a push TO Upper Iehigh
where the real work Of the day began.
In carriages provided by Supt Leyenring,
Bishop Spauding. Judge Gray and Thomas
" Watkins visited the Prospect rocks a
few miles distant whore n view Of the finest
scenery In Pennsylvania was had. All
were delighted with the trip. They also
visited the miners homes which are the
best appointed in the Lehigh region. The
other members Of the commission re-
manned in their cars
The Drifton collieries operated by Coke
Bros 4 Co. where the union members
are stil out on strike, were next visited.
Supt. Smith read a long statement explain
Mine Workers representative agreed 10
submit their grievances To the Arbitration
Board but Supt Smith replied that he had
no authority to do 40. Thereupon Presi-
dent Duffy said:
Gentlemen, you're only wasting time
here II they refuse to abide hv your find
ing" He was hacked up in this contention
by Commissioner Wat kins. and without fur
Their delay the party boarded the train for
Jeddo, whore the miners are also on strike
because they refuse TO sign a paper pre-
scnted by G. p. Markle & Co. placing the
strikers on record to agree TO the findings
- the commission. Here they were joined
by John Marke. managing partner OF the
firm. and the shops. miners houses and club
houses built and equipped by Mr.. Markle for
the benefit Of his employees were inspected.
The condition here evidently made far-
orable impression upon the members Of
the commission.
The next stop was at No. 40 shaft, the
largest colliery in the region, operated by the
Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Serious con-
tent ion also exists here because Seventy-fivc
old employees have not been ree;nployed.
An inspection Of tn. breaker was made and
NJ II IS p VI. the party. thoroughly tired out
and hungry arrived at the ent raj Hotel, this
city, where they mad dinner. After a brief
r,-t a conference was held with the man
aging owners Of A Pardee 4 Co, AT whose
Cu!llcry the men are still out on strike be-
cause they refuse TO sign an agreement not
e. abuse or interfere with the non-union
workers at the colery under penalty of
instant discharge.
At l3S p. NJ. the commission left for
Audenried where the members. with the
exception of Bishop Spaulding. explored
the Underground workings Of No. slope
of the Lehigh and Wilkes Barre Coal Com
pany, The Bishop excused himself for
the reason that the trip would bring on a
perspiration which would work harm when
the mine draught. struck him, John
Markle and the Bishop held long con-
versation In the car while the other mem
bers Of the commission were underground.
During the trip -he members Of the COM
mission became separated into two parties
While one party consisting OF Gen. Wilson,
Messrs. Clark. Watkins, Neill and Mosely
were In the gangway, heavy blast was
set OF In n nearby chamber, the conclusion
and the rush Of air blowing ont the lights
All we're thoroughly frightened but after
brief interval the trip was resumed
with some anxiety on the part of the
members
The enormous crowds AZ the mouth Of
the slope the commissioners were being
lowered caused report to be- spread in
the foreign quarters nearby that mine
disaster had occurred. and scores Of
women came running. crying and wiring
ing their hands. Great was their relief
when they we're informed Of the true state
Of affairs
After emerging from the mine the party
returned to this city where they will spend
the night. All retired early. Bishop Spa uld-
Ing was the guest Of Father Bussie of st.
Gabrels while here An early start will
be made in the morning for the Panther
Creek Valley.
TAMAoUA. Pa. Nov 3-The Lehigh
Coal and Navigation Company announced
to-day that il had taken back about 900
Of lis employees who had been on strike
and who had not been reinstated up TO this
time, because several of the mines were
partially filed with water and could not he
operated.
The officials Of the company are engaged
In preparing statement showing the
conditions Of its employees. Tho state
ment will show that the employees of the
company were in a prosperous state prior
to the strike. that 80 per cent. of them
owned their homes and that many of them
had money deposited in tho various banks
II will also be shown that most of the chill
dren of the miners attended the public
schools and that about 80 per cent. of them
are sent 20 normal schools and colleges TO
finish their education Great care is being
taken in its pre- paIation.