The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-28
TAKE NO FAvORS.
Members of Anthracite Strike
Arbitration Commission
Will Pay Their Own Expenses
and Take Chances.
REFUSE A SPECIAL.
Placed at Their Disposal by the
Coal BarOns.
Investigation to Begin at Scran-
ton Next Thursday Morning.

o'clock the first days of the investiga-
ton to be devoted to a physical exami-
nation of the mines and the homes OF
the miners, starting in the vicinity of
Scranton. The entire anthracite field
will be covered There was much dis
cussion over proposition made by the
commission to have expert accountants
appointed to audit the statements of
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 beyond the an
nouncement by the chairman of the
commissions intention to appoint such
an accountant in case his services
should be found necessary.
Proceeding the discussion over ap-
pointing experts to audit the books Mr..
Baer said the operators would be pre-
pared to meet the miners in the region
and to assist in giving all information.
Many of the individual operators are
not represented, and they were not con-
suited and were not compromised by
the letter he had written.
Judge Gray suggested that they could
be represented. At the meeting next
Monday they would determine which of
the companies should be taken I'D first
and the place of meeting could be de-
termined by the location of the coal
company taken UP.
Mr.. Baer made a point of saying that
the case of each coal company would be
dealt with separately. He would con-
tend for the sliding scale in the regula-
ton of wages.
Il shall urge the adoption of that
profit sharing plan" he said, (which
gave us peace formerly in our relation
to our employees"
Mr.. Thomas, of the Hillside Iron &
/ Coal and the PENNSYLVANIA Coal COM
pany said he noticed that the word
arbitration" had been applied to the
commissions work. while he wanted it
considered an investigation.
Judge Gray said that the presidents
! in ct nat
| tio-.
Mr.. Thomas also urged that the con-
ditions in each of the mining companies
were different and could only be con-
sidered separately. He thought more
progress could be made by a physical
examination of the coal region.
He thought that as many of the in
terests involved in the controversy were
represented in New York some of the
hearings should be held in that city.
The suggestion that both sides ap-
point experts to examine the books of
the companies was made by Judge
Gray, chairman of the commission. He
said 1t would be a good plan for the
different interests to agree that the
tabulated statements relating to the ex-
listing rates of wages in the different
localities of the mining region be taken
from the books of the operators by two
expert accountants. one to be named by
each party, such accountants to be en-
ployes of the commission.
Mr.. Baer after expressing his disin-
clination to accept this suggestion said
that his company would submit their
pay rolls under oath of their account
He said they now had seventy clerks
working day and night in compiling data
for the commission.
President Mitchell said that it would
facilitate the work of the commission to
have a general statement on those is
sues that affect all the companies and
miners alike. For instance the question
of shorter hours
Mr.. Truesdale said that his company
had a plan by which it was hoped to
speedily adjust the differences between
his company and the men. This plan
was for the miners to appoint COM
mittee to meet a committee of his COM
pany and to adjust their grievances and
if there were any such that could not
be settled then those issues should go
before the commission for final arbitra-
ton.
/ President Wilcox speaking for his
company said that the whole matter
|; was one of figures
Dr. Weyl for the miners, said that
if the suggestions of the chairman were
accepted Mr.. Mitchell and himself would
| not present the statistics they had pre-
pared because they were ready to con
: cede that these figures were not full and
as correct as they would be if taken
, from the company's books President
, Baer, however, thought that these sta
{ tistics would be check on the com
j pany's pay rolls and should be present
ed. Mr. Mitchell responded that he
would not be insistent on the subject
| and turning to Mr.. Baer said:
: IF we are able to agree as to what
rates are paid for different classes OF
i workmen, their monthly and annual
earnings, that would form a basis M
any arguments that might be made or
either side.'
, Judge Gray expressed the opinion thai
, it would be a criminal waste of time Il
: dispute over facts that could be yeriti.
q &c 10 r,a
= dispute.
. when once ascertained" said he
I their Interpretation is another thing
! Mr.. Mitchell again said it was his de-
sire to facilitate matters and that there
t sh'<l Id be mutual agreement on the
: fact.' and that controversies should b,
= eliminated if possible.
e That is the only object we have il
: view" said he. in asking that the rate.
Of wages as shown by the companies
: books be verified in advance"
J President Baer RESPONDED by saying
q that the men would know whether tn,
! companies pay rolls were right, anc
: that no issue would arise on that sub
: ject.
$ 'Win your statement give the { 2 n
ent classes of workmen?~ inquired Mr.
Mitchell.
Undoubtedly" said Mr. Baer
{ After further controversy between tn
n members of the commission and tn
r miners and mine representatives, Judg
n Gray modified his suggestion this tim
: presenting it in the shape of a PROPOSE
: ton that only one expert accountant b
d appointed, who should analyze the state
o ment made by both sides to the con
troversy and verify the facts for tn
. consideration of the commission. Nj
. Baer promptly accepted this suggestion
: and Mr.. Mitchell followed suit after
& brief explanation on his part. He sal
= that the plan was not entirely In accor
with the wishes of the miners. who ar
anxious to avoid all controversy as t
the Interpretation of figures.
;, President Gray then announced thu
the commission for the present woul
s proceed without appointing exper
e but that it would require that state