The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-31

the expense of the commissioners, car ried the party.
 The rear car was used for obserVa- tion purposes by the commissioners and they spent all their time in it, both go- ing and coming. In the car was large map showing the coal beds from Seran- ton up to the northern edge of the field at Forest City. The commissioners studied it carefully, and it's many feat ures were explained to them by Com missioner T. H. Wakins, who Is an eX- pert in coal mining and who was for merly an independent coal operator. The arbitrators also carefully noted the many mining villages passed by the train. At each of the stations a small group of persons were gathered, who curiously watched the special train run slowly by.
 When the party arrived at Forest City crowd of persons. among whom were some mine workers, were also gathered. There was no demonstration of any kind, the workers standing sil- ently by, watching the men who had the differences existing between them and the operators in their hands. A short drive was taken through the town to give the commissioners an op- portunity to view the homes of the mine workers and then the entire party was bundled into xhree small cars What is known in the language of the miner as a "lokio," which is a small To- comotive drew the cars to the No. shaft mile distance down the valley. Inc iocio hal fun with one another. As the mine was wet and dirty, the company officials provided rubber overshoes, overalls, jumpers, and miners caps for the en- tire party. Judge Gray and Bishop Spalding were the first to don the uni- form Of the miner and good naturedly took the remarks thrust at them by their colleagues as to whether or not they belonged to the union. After the party had been rigged out and provided with miners lamps, which they either carried in their hands or fastened to their caps, the descent of the 160 shaft was made. At the foot or bottom of the shaft the president and another member of the Forest City local union of the miners organization who are . The hospital~at that point was inspect ed and then the commissioners got into train of six mine cars and were haul ed about a mile and half underground in southwesterly direction. Accom- panied by Superintendent May, Presi- dent Nicolls and one of the others the commissioners went down a plain to what is known as a thin vein of coal, where they saw miners fire blast
 The thin vein runs into the Clifford mine, adjoining the No. ?. In the Cliff ford few hours before the commissio- CTS arrived. 8 Hungarian was killed al- most instantly by the falling of DOT 38tion of the roof lof the mine. He was doubled up, and his lamp, failing to go out, set fire to his clothes almost roasting him alive.
 The vein was explained to the com- missioners who asked many questions of < the miners working it. From there they returned to the main gangway and in spected an average vein, that is, vein about six or eight feet thick In going to some of the breasts the commits sioners had to almost crawl. This was particularly tiresome matter for Judge Gray, who is the tallest man in the commission.
 On the return journey to the foot of the shaft Bishop Spalding came across Lithuanian boy who was employed as a door tender. His face was black from coal dirt, but in the dim light of the lamp on his cap the bishop noticed his handsome features. He asked the boy many questions as to his age, the char aeter of his work and the wages he re- ceived. The other commissioners also piled the boy with questions. Near the shaft on the return journey, the car in which Judge Gray, General Wilson and Messrs. Clark and Parker were seated jumped the track and the four occu- pants were slightly shaken up. Miners quickly placed the car on the track and started them off with hearty good bye. The party reached the surface at 2:10 o'clock after being under ground for two hours and ten minutes.
 t Montreal StriGseus Won.