New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-01
EX AIMING COAL MINES.
COMMISSION CONTINUES WORK UNDER
GROUND-ANY AWARD OF WAGES
To DATE FROM TO-DAY.
Icy TELEGHArE TO THE TRIBUNE.I

lEY TELEcHAFE TO THE TRIBUNEI
Scranton, Penn, oct 3l.-Although tired and
with sore muscles as a result Of yesterdays hard
work. the Anthracite Strike Commissioners put
in another hard day to-day, and have still an
other planned for tomorrow. Their spirit is
strong the more they the more they want
10 see. ana the thorough manner in which they
are investigating the conditions is pleasing both
mine workers and operators.
Their plans for the future are now clear upon
several points but there are several others that
are yet 10 be, decided. No date has been fixed
for taking testimony, but il is expected some
win he heard next week. IT has been prac-
ficaly decided that the commission viii make
two findings. the first to deal with the three
questions which comprise the chief grievances
OF the mine wOrkers-wages, hours of work
and weight of coal. Several members of the
commission are inclined to think that this de-
cisiOn be reached in q month six weeks.
while the other findings. upon which the future
relations of the mine workers and their en-
plOyers to be based, and the general rela-
tiOns between employer and employe through
out the entire country Will he founded are to re-
ceive longer considerat ion.
one obstacle was removed to-day when the
commission decided that the rate of wages de-
cidec upon by the commission should become
effective from tomorrow, November i. Com
missioner Wright gave out the following state
mont about il: The recorder of the commits
sion states that this resolution was adopted by
the commission because it felt that il was I'M
pOrtant to make its Investigations deliberately,
and that it might be well in order 10 relieve
itself from pressure from any source Whlch
might cause undue haste. TO inform the opera
tors and the miners that. should the lnNestlsa-
ton and the deliberations following it warrant
any change whatever. either in the way OF IN
crease or reduction of wages. such change
should he from a certain date. thus enabling an
parties to facilitate their calculations
The third point decided that in the taking
of testimony and the sittngs which are to be
held court rules will he observed as far as pos
sible. except that in regard TO evidence there
win be greater latitude in admitting it, Ths
was the announcement made by Judge Gray to
Mr. barrow. the attorney Of Chicago. who VIII
represent the mine workers at the sessions.
The commissioners went TO the Manville shaft
this morning TO continue their Investigations OF
the physical conditions. Commissioner wright
did not go down. owing TO sore muscles and
touch Of rheumatism. The mine is wet one
and as he had some work TO do ne returned
10 the hotel The others dressed as they were
yesterday. went into the shaft. 1t is 400 feet
deep. and there are three veins, > feet g inches.
3 feet. and , feet 10 inches The mine is an old
one having been opened twenty-five years ago,
and the breaker is built the mouth of the
shaft in a manner which the present mining
laws do not allow owing to the danger of the
breaker burning down and the men in the mine
being smothered.
The commissioners. with the insight into the
conditions of mining they have gained in their
two days examination, surprise the men with
their knowledge, and are able to ask pertinent
questions. They giving much time TO the
fl,a Of pip
the miner has 10 produce to get credit for a ton.
THIS is one of The chief grievances. Commits
sioncr Wilson led the questioning to-day, and
was active in getting into the various workings,
in many Of them having TO sit down to make the
required examination, so low Was the roof a-
The commissioners were accompanied by Dis
trict President Nichols of the Mine Workers
and by Patrick w. Tolan. president Of the mine
local and emplOye Of the coeTy.
on the surface Bishop Spalding and Judge
Gray were questioning at the luncheon hour a
large number Of breaker boys and finding much
interest in their replies. They told the Bishop
they would rather be at school than at work,
that they got from "a TO - cents a day, ana
that they good boys Most of them could
read and write. one of them said he was
In the afternoon The investigation was con-
fined to trip through several mining villages,
where the members Of the commission saw min
ers' houses miners wives and families, and got
a general idea of the conditions under which
they live.
Tomorrow The commissioners VIII spend a
long day examining the conditions at the mines
in and about Wilkesbarre, and win return here
in the evening On Sunday they will attend st.
Peters Cathedral, where Bishop Spadng will
preach. AS TO Monday their plans are not yet
arranged.
To-day TIE commission sent invitations to
sixty-seVen OF the operators, not represented
by the large coal carrying companies and the
large coal companies who did not sign the in
VestigatiOn proposition. They are told they will
be heard before the commission If they desire.
well as the larger companies. Some few are
expected 20 accept, but il is understood the
others will send word that they will abide by
the finding Of the commission.
The commissioner tonight decided upon their
plans for next week They will spend Monday
aud Tuesday in the Hazleton region, inQuiring
into the conditions at the mines of the Coke,
Markle Pardee and WentZ companies, where
the men are on strike. The commissioners will
spend the remainder Of the week in the POTTS
VILE MahanOy, Panther Creek and Shamokin
districts. The time for taking testimony has
no. yet been decided.