The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-12
.BA[R REPLIES TO
mitchell ) Il. /. ! BRIEF } |
He Does Not Refer TO Him as.
President Of the Union.
MINERS DEMANDS UNJUST.
Reading President Denies That Earn
ings Of Coal Miners Are Less Than
Those of Other Labor Equally
Skilled-states Position,
DEMANDS UNJUST

WASHINGTON. D. c., Nov. 1.-THE re-
ply of President George r. Baer, of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal Company,
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 pub
lie.
Mitchell as the president Of the coal
miners organization. but refers to him
simply as an individual. Taking up the
specifications in Mr.. Nlitchells charge,
Nlr. Baer first admits that his company
owns thirty-seven collieries and that be-
fore the strike it employed 26,S29 people.
Following is brief summary OF the re-
Spouse 10 Mr.. Mitchells specifications:
.. The demand for 20 per cnt. incre Sc
in wages on piece work is denounced as
..a1 bitrary, unreasonable and unjust. The
company contends that after making al
necessary allowance for different condl-
tions that the rate of wages paid for the
mining Of anthrac coal is as high as
that paid in the bituminous coal fields.
IS The company denies that the pres
ent rate of wages is less than is paid IN
Other, occupa tons in the same locality ana
\
EARNINGS apEaIATE-
and 5. Mr. Baer denies that the earn
ings of the anthracite workers are less
than average earnings for other occu pa
tons requiring skill and training. and
also the charge that the seaI,:liiss are IN
sufficient because of the dangerous char
acter of the work in the anthracite
mines.
6. This specification made by MIR. Mitch
ell is referred TO as too vague for specl-
fic answer. but in a general way. IT. IS
stated that the anthracite regions are
among the most prosperous in the United
States.
Z. The company pronounces as unjust
and inequitable the demand for a reduc--
ton of 20 per cent in hours OF LABOR
without reduction of earnings for time
enployes. aid this demand is pronounced
impra cticahle. In this connection the
following statement is made:
Because of the injury to the mines py
the strike of the United Mine Workers,
the cost of producing coal has been great
lv increased and a temporary advance IN
price was made by this company. but IT
will be impracticabics to continue such
increase when mining opera lions become
normal.
S. Mr.. Baer says that his company has
no d;sa greenent with any OF its employees
about the weighing of6coal. because the
quantity is usually determined by thed-
surerent, and nor by Wei ht
9. Replying to the fourth demand made
by Mr. Mitchell Mr.. Baer SAYS since the
advent of the United Mine Workers or
garliza ton into the anthracite fields bust
:ess conditions there have been intoler-
able; that the output of the mines mas
decreased: that discipline has been de-
stroyed; tina strikes have been Of almost
daily occurrence; that men have worked
when and a s they pleased. and that Tie
cost of mining has been greatly lncreas-
cd He also takes the position that the
jurisdiction of the commission is limited
TO the conditions named by the coal com.
panv presluert, which excludes the Uni
ted Mine Workers from any recognition
in the proceedings. He says, however.
tina t. when labor organiza ton 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 agree
nents may become practicable.