New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-16
DEFINES LIVING WAGES.
MITCHELL PLACES THEM AT $500 A
YEAR FOR AN ADULT.
MINERS PRESIDENT IS LACKING IN
DETAILED INFORMATION.

! Wilcox ended his fire of questions at noon and
in the afternoon Wayne MacVeagh for the Hill
side Coal and Iron and Pennsylvania COM
panies, began his examination. all of it relat-
ing to conditions under the companies he rep
resents He had not ended when an adjourn
| ment until Monday was taken. Attorneys of
other companies to follow him, and how
long Mr. Mitchell shall remain on the stand rests
with them.
Each side is pleased with the result of to-
days proceedings. The operators believe that
they have shown the commission by a compari-
of conditions that the present methods OF
mining coal are better than would exist If the
union were recognized and that the rate of
wages is sufficient for the work. On the other
hand the mine workers believe that it has been
shown clearly that the men underpaid and
that the system of requiring 300 pounds of
coal in order to get credit for a ton is unfair.
For the first time President Mitchell to-day
defined the term he has used much, living
wages" 1T woulds, be-" he said. 5000 year
for every adult and 81 for every boy under six
teen for each day he worked This would en-
able the workers to give their children the ad
vantages of a reasonable education"
He continued to reiterate his intention to
insist on recognition of the union, and in
of his explanations to Judge Gray about some
point which was not clear said: Our demand
is that the rate of wages and the conditions
of employment be embodied in agreement
between the union and the operators"
FORM FOR AN AGREEMENT.
Later Mr.. Macveagh asked if a form Of an
agreement with the operators had been pre-
pared President Mitchell said no. except that
included in his address to the commission.
THAT does not appear to me to be clear
enough FORM said Mr. MacVeagh. Il should
like to have one showing what you will allow
US Wen be thankful for small favors" There
was laugh at this and during the afternoon
Mr.. MacVeagh caused many other laughs. The
mine workers among the spectators were much
amused by many of the lawyers statements
regarding conditions. Among other things he
said that many of the miners employed by the
companies he represented who worked In good
veins left the mines before 10 in the morning
President Mitchell FASTENED 10 explain that
many men went into the mines as early ,
o'clock. and had good days work finished by
10, considering that they could not get a full
days supply OF cars. Mr.. Macveagh proceeded
to disprove this statement by reading from the
mine inspectors report.
Now. do you think" he asked that men who
go into the mines at and leave there at 10
should get the full rate of wages which you call
living wages 5000 Year,"
IF men work only three hours they should
not get it," admitted Mr.. Mitchell. But he
did not admit that they worked only three
hours.
Mr.. MacVeagh's cross-examination was chiefly
by comparisons. He would ask Mr.. Mitchell
about certain conditions. II Mr.. Mitchell could
not explain he would say Would you be sur
prised TO know that these are the facts?" This
method proved most effective in getting facts
before the commission
EARN 500 A YEAR AT HOME
CbiaF among tho Facts ba bro,,oh. o,,t 49,,
that 40 per cent Of the coal sold for manufact-
uring purposes is below the domestic sizes, and
that the foreigners who form the majority OF
the mine workers earn only about 500 year
in their own country; and that many Of them
having amassed small fortune here, return |
home. 1t was also shown that only per cent
of the laboreTs of the United States are organ
lied, and that the mine workers possess the |
largest labor body.
Mr.. MacVeagh rather opened the eyes of every
one in beginning his examination. He said to
Mr. Mitchell: Il do not want you to understand
that am opposed to labor unions When prop
erly organized they often beneficial partcu-
larry among the employees of any considerable
corporation. The gentlemen OF the committee
represent do not consider themselves infaIible
They do not say that they have conducted their
property in the best possible manner and they
desire you to say frankly what particular grev-
ances you have against our companies We
want TO get at the facts for the information of
the commissioners"
Mr.. Mitchell could particularize The
grievances in general lac said. ARE the same
as those against any other company"
Later Mr.. MacVeagh described by his would
1t surprise you to learn" method the conditions
at Forest City. where some of his companies
collieries are. and where the town is chiefly de-
pendent on the mines There are three schools
there and eight churches Many miners own
their houses. and in June last the savings de-
pOsits in the bank amounted to $I73 497 IS OF
the conditions at the mines. Mr.. MacVeagh said
that from 1887 until the coming of the union
organizers in the summer Of 1890 there was only
one objection TO the method of working and of
paying. and that trouble was speedily remedied
The men very likely afraid and did not
feel at liberty to make complaint to the COM
pany.' said Mr.. Mitchell
THE EIGHT HOUR CLAUSE
The cross-examnation regarding the eight
hour clause in the demands was lengthy Mr.
MacVeagh contending that it bound an anbi-
tiOus man. and prevented his rising above his
position
Would you. for instance say" he asked
that any member of this distinguished BODY az
commissioners could have obtained his present
position If he had been limited to eight hours
I'm his work.
There is no comparison there" said Mr.
Mitchell. But If the present maximum is ter,
hours, why should it not be as fair to make it
eight hours, as long as it was by agreement
Rave you the right, do you think to de-
mand uEcomprOmisingly that no miner wor,
more than eight hours?"
Then you ask this commission 10 comneI nc
10 be partners with you in not allowing any man