The Dickinson press., 1902-11-01
TO VISIT COAL FIELD
ARBITRATION COMMISSION IN,
TENDS TO EXAMINE MINES
AND MINERS HOMES.
Scranton District the First to Be Wis.
ited BY the eody-President Baer
Takes Exception to Mr.. M;tchelI's
Appearing as a Representative Of
the Miners Commission Declines
His Offer of a Special Train.

Washington, Oct. 2S.-The anthra.
cite strike commission during the day
IN the hearing room OF the interstate
commerce commission held its first
conference with the parties to the
anthracite controversy. There was a
representation of both operators and
miners and members OF the press and
numerous other persons were present
The seats available were filled by
members of the strike and interstate
commerce commission. Justice Gray
as chairman, occupying the center
and Messrs. Clark and Wright the
seats to the right OF him in the order
named. Bishop Spalding and Mr..
Parker sat on the left in the order
named. The conference took about
two hours time and was given up en-,
tirely to a discussion of the time and
method of proceeding with the. pro-
posed investigation.
The commission decided to begin
its work next Thursday morning at !
O'Clock, the first days of the investiga
tion to be devoted to physical ex.
animation of the mines and homes OF
the miners, starting in the vicinity OF
Scranton The anthracite field will
be covered. There was considerable
discussion over a proposition made by
the commission to have expert &C.
countants appointed to audit the
standard and 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 be.
yond the announcement by the chair
man of the commissions intention to
appoint such an accountant in case
his services should be found neces-
sary.
During the progress of the meeting,
Mr.. Mitchell, as the representative of
the miners, presented copy of the
original declaration of the miners as
forwarded by the Shamokin conven-
tion, 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, reduc-
of those engaged by the day; third,
the payment for coal miners by
weight at minimum rate of 60 cents
per ton of 2,240 pounds; fourth, a
wage agreement between the opera
tors and miners for an adjustment of
wages.
Mr.. Baer, on the part of the coal
operators, took exception to Mr..
Mitchell's appearance before the COM
mission as a representative of the
mine workers union, but said he had
no objection to his presence as a rep.
resentative of the strikers as such in
an individual capacity.
The commission made no attempt to
settle the point, but it was apparent
the question of recognition of the
union would be an important and
knotty point to the arbitrators.
Before adjourning it was agreed that
the operators should submit sworn
statements of their payrolls, ETC., and
that Mr.. Mitchell should have an op-
portunity of verifying them through
the miners. If discrepancies were
found, it was agreed that the commits
sion should appoint an auditor whose
findings should govern the board.
While the commission was in ses-
sion the mine operators proposed to
place special train at the disposal of
the commission if it was decided to
visit the mines. After adjournment
the commission in executive session
decided to reject this offer of the Oh.
orators.
The commission adjourned at 3:4i
to meet in Scranton next Thursday
morning.