Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-14

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 1.-THE commits
sion appointed by President Roosevelt
TO arbitrate the difficulties existing be-
tween the anthracite mine workers and
their employers today began the hear
ing Of the miners side of the case,
After the workmen have concluded
their case the operators viii make their
statement, About two weeks will be
taken up In hearing both sides.
The hearings are being held In the
chamber of the state superior court.
The arrangements are admirable and
1t Is likely that the commission will
hear all the evidence In this city
9 AS early as o'clock the corridors
were crowded With people Of all classes
and conditions eager to gain admit
lance only few Of them, however,
got through the door as almost every
seat was occupied by general superin-
tendents Of mining companies and 9TH
er officials and representatives Of the
mine workers,
Among those sitting around the oper-
ators table were Wayne MacVeigh for
the Pennsylvania Coal company and
the Hillside Coal company; Francis |.
Gowan, Of Philadelphia, general coun-
sci for the Lehigh Valley Coal COM
pany A, H. McCllntock of Wilkesbarre,
for the Lehigh & Wikesbarre COM
pany; Congressman Simon Pulyer-
ton, sunbury Pa for the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron company;
David Wilcox of New York, general
counsel for the Delaware a Hudson
and w w Ross, of New oYrk, for the
Delaware, Lackawanna a Western
President Mitchells principal advisers
We're Clarence Il. Drew of Chicago,
Jas, l.. Lanahan, Of Wilkesbarre, and
John J. Murphy OF Scranton.
The proceedings opened shortly after
10 o'clock, when Judge Gray announced
that the commission would hcar the
representa- ives of the miners first Mr..
Mitchell said he would file further
statement on Monday In answer to
some Of the allegations of the opera
tors. John l.. Lenahan. of Wilkes
barre on behalf OF the nOn-union men,
inquired of the CommissiO what course
the proceedings would take with re-
spect TO them. Judge Gray answered
that that was a question which would
have to be considered.
Mr.. WolvertOn asked the other side
20 eion tho utipratnrs at lenet one days
notice, indicating the collieries from
which employees would be called as wit
nesses 80 that the mineowners can be
prepared 10 examine them. Mr.. OAR
row, for the miners, agreed to the sug-
gestion. President Mitchell arose and
addressed the commission. His state
ment contained 5000 words.
Mr.. Mitchell prefaced his statement
with the hope that the commission
would succeed In establishing a rela-
ti0nship between the operators and
miners that will insure peace and sta
bility In the industry for an indefinite
period, After recitIng the demands for
increased pay for the miner a shorter
work day for the laborer, the weigh
ing Of coal and an industrial agreement
the refusal of all OF which led TO the
strike. Mr.. Mitchell spoke as follows on
the question OF higher wages:
"Of the $4,000 men and boys employ
ed In and around the mines, shippers,
washeries. and breakers In the anthra-
cite coal fields, 6i072, or As per cent, are
employed on contract or piece work
the remaining SO 000 or 81 per cent, are
employed by the hour, day, week or
month. OF the 6i.072 contract men. 3d.
s0i are miners and 26,26s are laborers.
"The work Of miner and n miners
laborer Is extremely hazardous, In fact
II Is more dangerous than employment
In any other important industry In the
world. The number of persons killed
and injured is greater than in any other
industry. Each day the anthracite coal
mines are In operation two and six
tenths persons lost their lives and three
times az many are MANNED and yet
these men receive less wages annually
than received by men performing pre-
cisely similar work In other fields, ufl-
der more favorable less hazardous cir
cumstances The number Of years
man can retain his health and strength
in this occupation is limited.
"If he escapes death or injury by
falls Of rock or coal, he cannot escape
attacks of miners asthma. There II
scarcely a mine worker who has not con-
tracted this malady. The miners are
compelled to work in powder smoke, In
foul air. many Of them In water, and
their work Is difficult and exhaustlng.
Reputable insurance companies viii not
issue policies to this class Of workmen
the risks are so great that the premi-
ums would be prohibitive 20 men whose
earnings are so low. The entire 20 per
cent which they demand as an increase
if their wages would not suffice TO car
ny an insurance Of 81 900.
1T seems but fair and Just that
wages paid these classes 81 workmen
should be as high. II not higher than
wages paid 10 skilled artisans In other
Industries II Is certainly not unjust 20
ask that these miners should receive as
high wages rs are paid 10 miners In the
bituminous coal fields In the silver and
gold mines or in the iron ore and cop
per mines. I'm al OF which work is less
hazardous. freer from liability to dis
ease requiring less expense and less
skill, and is better paid than labor In
the anthracite coal fields"
In supporting the demand for the re-
ductlon Of the hours Of the day laborers
Mr. Mitchell said II amounted 20 a de-
mand Of 20 per cent Increase OF COM
pensation for $4,000 men, or 81 per cent
OF all mine employees.
Continuing, he said
"The eight hour day Is the standard
working day In the mining industry.
Eight hours constitute a days work In
the coal mines OF Great Britain, In all
the silver. gold and conner mines and
IN the bltuminous coal mines In the
states OF Arkansas. Kansas. Missouri.
Indiana. Illinois. Iowa. Michigan. Ken
lucky western Pennsylvania and the
Indian territory.
1.-THE reports Of the United states ge-
illogical survey demonstrate that more
coal has been produced annually since
the Inauguration OF the eight hour
work day than IN any preceding one. |
Each miner produced more coal per
- A.. l.. +. -