The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-16
ONE MORE WITNESS
ON THE TIMERS SIDE
Continued from Page 1.)

loss was in nowisc before the COM
mission, aud reminded the commission
of a decision II had made that the abil-
ity of the employer to pay was no just
criterion of the wages a man shall re-
coive for his labor. Judge Gray said
the commission proposed to assume
that the operators were able to pay a
just wage. This was satisfactory to
all sides.
One of the miners witnesses yester-
day was Rev. Thomas II. Watkins, the
labor candidate for recorder. He, with
number of other Delaware, LacktL-
wanna and Western men, told about
the formation of the Lackawanna
union.
The stories of the little daughters of
miners, who work in the silk mills.
were truly pitiful, but, If Judge Gray's
sentiments can be taken as n criterion
of how the commission was impressed
by their recitals. the coal companies, in
the commissioners minds. are not the
culpable parties One of the girls went
to work during the strike, and pre-
sumably the strike was responsible for
her having to go to work. In two other
cases, it developed that the girls
fathers own property. Judge Gray de-
clared unequivocaly and with a con-
siderable shcw of indignation that it
was the fault of the fathers that the
little girls were at work. "Pd like TO
have those fathers here" said the
judge. I'D like to ask them a. few
questions"
The first of these witnesses was
Theresa McDerInott. aged il, whose
~ Nf,yN r,r
the Nay Aug Coal company. She works
in a Dunmorc silk mill from in the
morning until 6 in the evening. is on
her feet all the time and receives 81 a
week. There are four children in the
family and she is the second Oldest.
The Oldest l., a boy. She went to work
during the strike and is to quit next
week.
ut is very creditable to her father
that he is going to take her out of the
MILL" said Judge Gray.
Anna Denko. IA years of age. Dun
more girl, works in a silk mill from $50
in the evening until $50 in the morn
ing, with only half an hour at mid
night for rest and lunch. She lives at
No. Z. and has to walk an hour going
to and coming from her work. She re-
caives 54 cents an hour. She is the
eldest of seven children.
All the commissioners were appar-
emily very much moved by the con-
temptation Of the little tot walking for
an hour each way to and from work
in weather like this, and then standing
on her feet all night.
Father of the Girl.
Judge Gray said: I'D like to see
her father
Isn't it the fault of her fathers en-
ployer that she is compelled"
II think it's the fault of her father"
Interrupted Judge Gray. IN indignant
tones. "Its an outrage to coin the flesh
and blood of little children into money
in this way. when there is no real ne
cessity for it. It's an outrage"
But don't you think, your honor,
that the natural instinct OF the parent
would not permit a child like this to
work this way If there was not real
necessity"
Some parents have no natural in
stincts such as you refer to-" said the
judge. his Indignation still apparent"
How about the employer of the
Girl?" asked Mr.. Darrow.
The girls employer could not en-
ploy her if her father did not take her
by the hand and lead her into the
mill,' declared the judge. II want to
see that father and ask him a few
questions. There are miners who send
their daughters to the mills who are
earning enough to keep them at home"
Major Warren got the little girl to
give her fathers name and the place
of his employment, that he might pre-
sent to the commission exact figures on
the fathers earnings.
Helen Sisach an II years and II
months old Slav girl, next testified.
through another little Slav girl, Mary
Gampko. of about the same age. She
told that she has been working nights
for more than a year in Dunmore
silk mill for three cents an hour.
How much:" fairly shouted Judge
Gray.
"rhree cents an hour" the little in
terpreter answered.
Three cents AN hour.' repeated the
Judge, slowly. The comment he felt
called upon to make was made under
his breath, From the expression of his
countenance he was saying something
that would not get into am eXpurgated
edition of the record.
~ niue ialti, III telllnS about their
home life, the little girl admitted that
her father owned his own home.
They own their own house?" IN
Quired Judge Gray to make sure that
he heard Alright.
Yes, sir" said the little interpreter.
Judge Gray looked ahead of him
vacantly for awhile, with his hands
thrust deep in his pockets. and then re-
marked: "Id like to see her father"
Swore She Was Thirteen.
Judge Grays called attention to The
fact that the law forbids the employ
nent of children under Is years of age
in factories, mills and the like, and
asked how 1t was thai the witness, who
was not yet twelve, had been working
for more than a year The little in
terpreter ana the witness talked i'm
Slavish for IA time and then the former
answered. Her father swore she was
thirteen"
Major Wdrren's questions brought
ont the information that the little gins
father is n contract miner and that he
works steadily.
Rosie Huser, an eleven and hale
year old Dunmore girl, told that she
has been working nights In the silk
mil for six months at 5M cents AN
hour. Her father is William Huser, a
Coal company, and has five children.
He owns his OWN house.
Your father owns his own house ?"
asked Judge Gray,