Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-11-12
RESPONDS TO
MITCHELL'S CHARGES
Says That Certain Demands
Are Unreasonable.
SUMMARY OF HIS RESPONSE.

SUMMARY OF HIS HESPONSE'
Mr.. Baer Says That Since Advent of
Mine Workers Organization Into
Anthracite FIELDS Conditions Have
Been Intolerabe.
Washington, Nov 1.-THE reply Of
George F. Baer of the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal company, to the
charges of President Mitchell, of the
United Mine workers. which has been
| presented to the anthracite coal strike
commission, was today given to the
| public Mr.. Baer makes no refer
ence to Mr.. Mitchell as the president
of the miners organization, but re-
fers to him simply as an individual.
Taking up the specifications in Mr..
Mitchell's charges seriatim, Mr.. Baer
first admits that his company owns
81 collieries and that before the strike
it employed 26,S29 people.
Following is brief summary of thu
response to Mr.. Mitchell's other prop
ositions:
Second, The demand for 20 per
cent in wages on piece work Is de-
Aounced as arbitrary, unreasonable
and unjust" The company oRRtends
that after making all necessary allow
ance for different conditions, that the
rate of wages paid for the mining of
anthracite coal is as high as that paid
in the bituminous coal fields.
Third-The company denies that the
present scale Of wages is lower than
is paid in other occupations in the
same locality, and controlled by like
conditions.
Fourth and fifth-Mr. Baer denies
that the earnings OF the anthracite
workers are less than average earn
ings for other occupations requiring
skill and training, and also the charge
that the earnings are insufficient be-
cause of the dangerous character OF
the work in the anthracite mines.
Sixth-This specification made BY
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to as too vague
for specific answer, but in a general
way it is stated that the anthracite
regions are among the most prosper
Gus in the United States.
| Seventh-The company pronounces
as unjust and inequitable the demand
for a reduction of 20 per cent in hours
of labor without a reduction of earn
ings for time employees, and this de
mand is pronounced impracticable. In
this connection the following state.
ment is made:
Because of the injury to the mines
by the strike of the United Mine Work.
ers of America, the cost of producing
coal has been greatly increased and
temporary advance in price was
made by this company, but it will be
impracticable to continue such In.
crease when mining operations be.
come normal"
Eighth-Mr. Baer says his company
has no disagreement with any of its
employees about the weighing of coal,
because the quantity Is usually deter.
mined by measurement, and not by
weight.
Ninth-Replying to 4he fourth de.
mand made by Mr>Mitchell, Mr.. Baer
says since the advent of the United
Mine Workers organization into the
anthracite coal fields, business condt
tions there have been intolerable
that the output of the mines has de.
creased that discipline has been de.
stroyed; that strikes have been Of al.
most daily occurrence; that men have
worked when and as they pleased, and
that the cost Of mining has been great.
ly increased. He also takes the 20.
sition that the jurisdiction of the
commission is limited to the condi.
tions named by the coal company
! presidents, which excludes the United
Mine workers from any recognition in
the proceedings. He says, however,
that when a labor organization lin.
| tied to anthracite mine workers is ere.
ated which shall obey the law, respect
the right of every man to work, and
honestly cooperate with employers,
trade agreements will become practi.
cable"