Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-13
Mr.. BAER'S REPLY TO
I PRESIDENT MITCHELL
He Refers 10 the Head Of The United
Mine Workers Of America Simply
as an Individual.
REPLY MADE PUBLIC TUESDAY
1t Has Been Presented to the,
Strike Commission.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSE TO CHARGES

Washington, Nov. II. Tho reply Of
President George +. Baer of the Phila-
delphia 81 Reading Goal Co. to the
charges of President Mitchell of theI
United Mine Workers, which has beenS
presented to the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission, was given to the public
today. Mr.. Baer makes no reference to
Mr.. Mitchell az the president of tho
miners organization, but refers to him
simply as an individual.
Taking up tho specifications in Mr..
Mitchell's charges seriatim, Mr.. Baer
first admits that his company owns 81
oollieries and that before the strike IL
employed 26, S29 people.
Following is a summary of the re-
sponse to Mr.. Mitcheli's other specitica-
tions:
Second-The demand for 70 per cent M
crease in wages on piece-work Is denounced
as arbitrary, unreasonable and unjust "
The company contends that after making
all necessary allowance for different condi-
tions the rate of wages pai1 for the mining
OF anthracite coal i as high as that paid in
the bituminous coal fields
Third-The company denies that the
present rate of wages is lower than il paid
in other occupations in the came locBlity
and controlled by like conditions.
Fourth and Fifth-Mr. Baer denies that
the earnings of the anthracite workers are
less than the average earnings for other oc-
cupations requiring skill and training. and
also the charge that the earnings are in
sufficient because OF the dangerous character
of work in the anthracite mines.
Sixth-This specification, made by Mr..
MITCHELL is referred to as too vague for
specific anEwer, but in general way II ia
stated that the anthracite regions are among
the most prosperous in the United States.
Seyenth-The company prcnounces as un.
just and inequitable the demand for a re-
duction of 20 per cent in hours of labor
without reduction OF earnings for time
employees, and this demand is pronounced
impracticable. In this connection the fol-
lowing statement is made: Because Of the
injury to the mines by the strike of the
United Mine Workers the cost of producing
| coal has been greatly increased and TOM
porary advance in price was made by this
company, .hut it will be impracticabe to
continue such increase when mining opera
| tions become normal.'
Eighth--Mr. Baer Gays that bis confstpr
| has no disagreement with any of its em@
ployes about the weighing of coal, because
the quantity is usually determined by
measurement, and not by weight.
Ninth-Replying to the fourth demand
made by Mr.. Mitchell, Mr. Baer saws since
the advent Of the United Mine Workers into
| the anthracite fields business conditions
there have been intolerable; that the output
of the mines has decreased that discipline
has been destroyed; that strikes have been
of almost daily occurrence; tnat men have
worked when and as they pleased, and tina.
the cost of mining has been greatly in
creased. He also takes the position that the
jurisdiction of tine commission Is limited to
the conditions named by the coal company
presidents, which excludes the United Nina
Workers from any recognition in the prof.
ceedings. He says, however, that when Il
labor organization limited to anthracitay
mine workers is created, which shall obey
the law, respect the right of every man toy
work and honestly cooperate with emi
ployers, trade agreements may becomd
practicable