Abilene weekly reflector., 1902-10-30
The STRIKE INQUIRY
The Commission Meets the Parties
In the Mining Controversy.
The RESULT OF The CONFERENCE.



tee Denied Work-Minen Returning
Homs-Only Few ColIisriss Idle at
-Gsngwsys Blocked.
Washington, Oct. 28.-The anthrs-
eite coal strike commission yester-
day, in the hearing room Of the in
tcrstate commerce commission, held
Its first conference with the parties
to the controversy in the anthracite
regions. There was a full repre-
sentation Of both operators and min
srs and members Of the press and a
number Of other interested parties
were present. The commission occu-
pied the elevated seats generally
filed by members Of the interstate
commerce commission, Judge Gray,
- president, occupying the center
and Messrs. Wright, Watkins and
Clark the seats to the right Of him
IN the order named, while Gen. Will
son, Bishop Spaulding and Mr.. Parker
sst ON the left in the order Of their
names. The proceedings covered
sbsut two hours time and were
given up entirely to discussion Of
the time and method of proceeding
With the proposed investigation.
The commission decided to begin
it, work next Thursday morning at
nine o'clock. the first days Of the in
vestigation to be devoted to . phys
ical examination Of the mines and
the homes Of the miners, starting in
the vicinity Of Scranton. The entire
anthracite field will be covered.
There was considerable discussion
ever . proposition made by the COM
mission to have expert accountants
appointed to audit the statements
Of wages and classification of miners
to be made by the operators for the
use Of the commission, but no result
was reached on this point beyond
the announcement by the chairman
Of the commissions intention to ap-
point such an accountant in case his
services should be found necessary.
During the progress Of the meet
Ing Mr.. Mitchell, as the representa-
tive Of the miners, presented a copy
Of the original declaration Of the
miners as formulated by the sha-
mokin convention, as the basis Of the
demands Of the miners. This demand |
is, first, for an increase of 20 per
cent. in wages Of those not engaged
by the day; second, a reduction of
20 per cent. in working hours of those
engaged by the day; third, the pay
ment for coal mined by weight at a
minimum rate of 60 cents per ton
of 2,24O pounds; fourth, wage
agreement between the operators
and the miners for an adjustment Of
wages.
Mr.. Baer, on the part Of the coal
operators, took exception to Mr..
Mitchells appearance before the
commission as representative of
the mine workers union, but said
that he had no objection to his pres
ence as representative Of the strik-
ers as such in their individual ca
pacity. The commission made no at
tempt to settle the controversy, but
Il was made apparent that the recog-
milton Of the miners union will be
an important and knotty problem for
The arbitrators.
KeIler committeeman Denied Work.
Hazleton, Pa, Oct. 2s.-CharIes Hell
Ierty, president James Gallagher,
secretary; Paul Dunleavy, treasurer,
md Henry Shevelin, member of
The relief committee Of the Jeddo To-
,al union of the United Mine Work.
srs, are among the eight employees
company houses of G. B.
Markle & Co., at Japan Oakdale and
Foundryville, who were served with
notices by the firm yesterday after
,oon to vacate their premises within
1ix days. Henry Coll, one of the re-
naming four, was until recently on 4
he relief committee OF the local.
The other three men are foreigners. 1
The company announces that these I
men will not be re-employed at any
II its four colleries. I
Miners Returning Home to Work.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 2s.-More {
oal was mined and more men were
mployed in mining 1t yesterday than J
my day since the mines in the an !
hracite region resumed work. The
nly districts that lag behind in the
'utput are Lehigh and Mahanoy.
he individual operators and their t
mployes in those districts are still a
4 loggerheads. In the Wyoming j
nd Lackawanna regions all the col t
cries are in operation with the ex- I
option Of few which are still un- s
er water. The miners and laborers /
Tho left the region during the strike P
re returning in large numbers.
Only Few Collieries Idle at Scranton.
Scranton, Pa, Oct. 2s.-0f the 10s
ollieries operated by the five big u
having headquarters here '