The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-15
PRESIDENT MITCHELL
TELLS THE WHOLE STORY
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission Taking TeSti-
mony Upon Which to Base Decision.
Multitude of Lawyers Representing the Companies Pesentcou
Room Closely Packed.

L 7
) mission appointed by President
Roosevelt to arbitrate the diff
culties existing between the anthracite
mine workers and their employers To-
day began the hearing OF the miners
side of the case. After the wOrkmen
have concluded their case the opera
tors viii make their statement. About
two weeks viii be taken up in hear
ing both sides The hearings are be-
ing held in the chamber of the state
superior court. The arrangements are
admirable and it is likely that the
commission viii hear all the evidence
in this city.
As early as 9 O'Clock the corridors
were crowded with people of all classes
and conditions, eager TO gain admit
tance. Only a few Of them, however,
got through the door, as almost every
seat was occupied by general superin-
tendents CT mining companies and
others officials. and representatives Of
The mine workers
Among those sitting around the Oper-
atOrs' table were Wayne MacVeagh,
for the Pennsylvania Coal company
and the Hillside Coal company; Fran
els 1. GOwan of Philadelphia, general
counsel for the Lehigh Valley Coal
company; A. H MeChntock of Wilkes
barre, for the Lehigh & Wilkesbarre
company; eX-COngressman Simon
PUlverton of SunbUry, Pa, for the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron
company; David Wilcox of New York,
general counsel of the Delaware &
Hudson, and W. W. Ross of New York,
for the Delaware. Lackawanna &;
Western. President AIitchen's princi-
pal advisers were: Clarence R. Oar
ffN rtF fole 90 TnTa 7 q
Wilkesbarre and John I. Murphy Of
Scranton.
Proceedings Opened.
The proceedings opened shortly after
10 o'clock, when Judge Gray announced
that the commission would hear the
representatives of the miners first. Mr..
Mitchell said he would file a further
statement on Monday in answer to
some of the allegations Of the opera
tors. John L. Lenahan of Wilkesbarre,
on behalf of the nOn-nniOn men, in
quired OF the commission what course
the proceedings would take with re
spect to them. Judge Gray answered
that that was a question which would
have 10 be considered.
Mr. Wolverton asked the other side
to give the operators at least one days
notice, indicating the collieries from
which employees would be called as
witnesses, so that the mine owners
can be prepared to examine them. Mr.
barrow, for the miners. agreed to the
suggestion. President Mitchell arose
and addressed the convention. His
statement contained 5000 words.
Mr.. Mitchell prefaced his statement
with the hope that the commission
would succeed in establishing a rela-
tiOnship between the operators and
ye.sv he will 81
bility in the industry for an indefinite
period After reciting the demands for
increased pay for the miner, a shorter
WOrkday for the labOrer. the weighing
of the coal. and an industrial agree
ment. the refusal of all of which led
to the strike, Mr. Mitchell spoke as
follows on the question Of higher
wages:
The Wage Question.
"Of the $4,000 men and boys en-
ployed in and around the mines, strip
pers. washeries and breakers in the
anthracite coal fields, 64,G72. or 43 per
cent, are employed on contract or piece
work; the remaining 50, GOO, or 81 per
cent, are employed by the hour. day,
week or month OF the 64.e72 contract
men, 31,S04 are miners and %, PCS are
miners IabOrers.
'"The work Of a miner and a min
er's labOrer is extremely hazardous: in
fact, it is more dangerous than en-
plOyment in any other important in
dustry in the world The number of
persons killed and injured is greater
than in any other industry. Each day
the anthracite coal mines are in opera
ton, two and siX-tenths persons lose
their lives, and three times as many
are manned. and vet these men re-
ceive less wages annually than are
received by men performing precisely
similar work in other fields. under
more favorable and less hazardous cir
cumstances. The number of years a
man can retain his health and strength
in this occupation is limited. If he
escapes death or injury by falls OF
rock or coal, he cannot escape attacks
of miners asthma. There is scarcely
a mine worker who has not contracted
this malady. The miners are com
PEELED to work in powder smoke. IN foul
air, many of them in water and their
work is difficult and eXhaasting
Reputable insurance companies viii
not issue policies to this class of
workmen, the RISKS being so great that
the premiums would be prOhibitive to
men whose earnings are so low The
entire 20 per cent which they demand
as an increase in their wages would
net suffice TO carry an insurance Of