The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-27
COAL JURY IS OFF
The Commission Meets This After.
noon With All Parties in
: ..-~. Attendance.
It Is Hoped to Complete Preliminary
Arrangements at To-day's
Sitting.

Washington, Oct. 27.-With one or two
exceptions, the parties to the anthracite
coal controversy have arrived in the city
to attend the conference with the presi-
dents commission this afternoon and it is
expected that all will be present when the
conference opens. The members of the
commission are all in the city.
While there is quite number Of de-
tails to be arranged the members are
hopeful that they will be able to complete
the preliminary arrangements at one sit
ting. The operators and the miners have
indicated a, willingness to subordinate
their desires as to time and place of hear
ing to the wishes Of the commission.
Practically: all of the meetings for taking
testimony will be held in the anthracite
regions and it is believed that the COM
mission will be able OF get to work this
week.
Another preliminary problem is as to the
questions to be taken up. Mr.. Mitchell,
who reached Washington at a. m, &C
companied by District President Fahey,
will press for general inquiry, while it is
understood that the operators will seek TO
restrict the inquiry.
DR.. Charles P. ONeil, assistant recorder
of the commission, called upon President
Roosevelt to-day to pay his respects. AL
though the president feels that the mat
ters involved are now out of his hands,
he took occasion to impress upon his
visitors the great Importance Of the in
vestigation and the far-reaching character
Of the results to be achieved -
The Session opens.
The commission met at 2 p. m. in the
hearing room of the interstate commerce
commission. All the members were pres
ent, occupying seats upon the bench. Mr..
MITCHELL, president Of the United Mine
Workers and District President Fahey ap-
peared for the miners, and the coal carry
ing roads were represented as follows:
President Baer Of the Philadelphia &
Reading; E. b. Thomas, chairman OF the
and Hillsdale Coal & Iron company Al
fred Walter, president Of the Lehigh Val
ley; w. H.. Truesdale; president Of the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; David
Wilcox; vice president of the Delaware &
Hudson; John B. Herr, vice president of
the Scranton Coal company and Elk Hill
Coal & Iron company; j.. H. Torrey, at
tOrney for the Delaware & Hudson, and
Francis I. Gowan, attorney for the Le-
high Valley company.
Order Of Procedure.
Judge Gray, the president of the COM
mission, read the order of the president
Ronoral
way outlined the procedure to be followed
He stated that in accordance with the
immemorial practice of the English
speaking people, the commission would
first receive the statements or demands of
the miners, who were to be regarded as
the prosecutors! The reply Of the other
side would then be heard Judge Gray
said, in order that the commission might
have before it definite issue.
Mr.. Mitchell Speaks.
President Mitchell stated that he had
with him the formal demands made by the
miners upon the operators, and at the
suggestion of Judge Gray he read the
statement Of the miners demands adopted
by the Shanokin convention, the rejection
of which resulted in the strike.
Walter Edward Weyl was also present
as a representative Of the miners. The
hearing room was crowded.
President Baer Objects.
President Baer objected to the appear
ance Of Mr.. Mitchell as a representative
Of the United Mine Workers of America,
but said he had no objection to offer
against Mr.. MitchelPs appearance as a
representative Of the anthracite coal min
ers generally. Mr.. Baer's objection was
to avoid the recognition of the mine work
ers' union as an order.
Mr.. MItcheII's Reply.
Mr.. Mitchell replied that the objections
raised as to his status were not involved
in the case. He appeared as a representa-
tive of the anthracite coal miners and dis
tinctly refrained in his reply from men
tioning the union.
" Presidents Baer and Thomas suggested
to the commission that it proceed at once
to the coal fields, in order that it might be
N To
there. - - -...
It was agreed that Mr.. Mitchell should
file with the commission next Monday a
detailed statement of the claims of the
miners. The statement he read to-day
was preliminary statement Of the case.
The representatives Of the operators an
nounced that they would file an answer
thereto within three days Of that time
=, The Question of Books.
It was suggested that each side to the
controversy appoint an . expert to go
through the books of the coal companies
for the purpose of securing data upon
which to work, but President Baer and
other representatives of the companies
Immediately objected and suggested that
they would furnish whatever information
is needed. This question precipitated q
long discussion in which the coal presi-
dent and the miners representative took
part. e*5l.-s.- :.
To Meet at Scranton, Thursday.
The commission decided to begin it's in
vestigation into the conditions in the an
thracite coal regions Thursday of this
week. commencing with District No. /,
in which Scranton is located
The commission adjourned at $40 to
meet in Scranton next Thursday morning.
.
WI IS RECALLED
He Loses the Pleasure Of His Mime