The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-14

Washington. November 1.-THE reply
OF President George r. Baer. OF the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal Compa-
ny, to the charges of President Mitchell
OF the United Mine Workers which has
been presented TO the Anthracite coal
strike commission was today given to
the public. Mr.. Baer makes no refer
ence TO Mr.. Mitchell as the president of
the miners organization. but refers 20
him simply as an individual. Taking
up the specifications in MIR. Mitcheil's
charge seriatim. Mr.. Baer first admits
that his company owns 81 collieries and
that before the strike Ii employed $3.50
people. Following Is a5rief summary
of The response to Mr.. Mitchell's other
specifications:
Second. The demand for 20 per cent.
in wages on piece work is Gun as
arbitrary. unreasonable and unjust"
The company contends that after maxi
ing ali necessary allowances for differ
ent conditions that the rate OF wages
paid for the mining Of anthracite coal
is as hig as that paid by the bitumen-
Gus fields.
Third. The denies that the
present rate OF wages is lower than Is
paid in other occupations in the same
locality and controlled by like condI-
tons.
Fourth and fifth. Mr.. Baer denies
that the earnings of the anthracite
workers are less than average earnings
for other occupations requiring skill
II training and also the charge that
the earnings are insufficient OF
the dangerous character OF work in the
anthracite mines.
Sixth. This specification made by
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to as vague
for specific answer, but in a general
way it is stated that the anthracite
regions are among the most prosperous
in the United States.
Seventh. The company ~pronounces
| as unjust and inequitable the demand
for a reduction of 20 per cent. In hours
| of labor without a reduction Of earnings
l for time employees. and this demand Is
| pronounced impracticable. In this con-
nection the following statement s
made:
Because of the injury TO the mines
by the strike of the United din Work
ers. the cost of producing coal has been
| greatly increased and a temporary ad-
vance in price was made by this COM
any but It will be impracticable TO
continue such increase when mining
| operations become normal"
Eighth. Mr.. Baer says that his COM
| pany has no disagreement with any OF
it's employees about the weighing of
coal, because this is usually determined
by measurement and not by weight"
Replying to the fourth demand made
by Mitchell, Mr.. Baer says since the
advent of the United Mine Workers or
ganization into the anthracite fields,
business conditions there have been in
tolerable: that the output OF the mines
has decreased; that discipline has been
destroyed; that strikes have been OF al
most daily occurrence: that men have
vn~Ea vrhna md ne fhav nIa0 0nd
that the cost of mining has been great
ly increased. He also takes the posi-
ton that the jurisdiction Of the commits
sion Is limited to the conditions named
by the coal company presidents which
excludes the United Mine Workers from
any recognition In the proceedings. He
says. however, that when a labor or
ganiZation limited to anthracite mine
workers Is created which shall obey
the law, respect the light OF every man
TO work and honestly cooperate with
employers. trade agreement may be-
| come practicable"