New-York tribune., 1902-12-03
MINERS TOITAKE THE STAND
THEY DO NOT EXPECT To FINISH EVl-
DENCE FOR STRIKE COMMISSION
BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
rEr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

er+on pann Dec (SpeciaD.-The mine
workers to-day suddenly changed thelr Piaiis
regarding the evidence they are to give before
the Anthracite Strike Commission, which meets
bore to-rorron 1t was intended that President
Nichols should testify regarding the conoitlons
In the First District, comprising Lackawanna
and wyoming valleys and that he should be
followed by the other district presidents anu
officers This morning. however, more than
score of miners and the wives and children Of
some came here from the Hazleton district ac-
cornpanied by d. J. Mccarthy, who has peen
engaged by the mine workers to assist MT Oar
row their chief attorney. For two hours this
afternoon these people. representing several ma
tionalities and most of them living In small
houses in the villages of Harleigb, Stockton.
Drifton and Jeddo. were in Mr. Darrow's rooms
telling what they knew.
These people will go on the stand tomorrow
morning and will take the whole day and posi-
bly, two days in telling of the wage and living
conditions OF the latter the commissioners
have and heard much and will probably
decline to accept any more as evidence. be-
cause they do not consider, with what they
have of it, any more will enlighten them further
regarding the main points at issue. They are
eager to get down to the figures as to wages
and weights under different companies.
The mine workers attitude now is one of saw
until they can prepare their wage tables or con-
firm those of the operators which the latter
have promised to submit. At present only one
company, the Delaware and Hudson, has turned
it's tables over to the mine workers
The Philadelphia and Reading promised to
do so to-day but did not and it is not known
when the other companies will. Consequently
the mine workers are handicapped by the lack
of these figures, which are to be the most vital
feature OF their testimony. AS it is doubtful
if either the Markes. Coxes the Pardees
will show the commission their wage tables
and allow the mine workers to have them, the
latter making the most Of their bad
position in respect to providing figures by intro
ducing wage earners from the Hazeton region.
where the Coke. Marke and Pardee col
lieries. This will allow the other companies
time to complete their tables.
Mr.. Mccarthy for twenty years agent
for Coke Bros. & Co. He will conduct the ex-
animation of the Hazleton region witnesses.
There are more rumors of settlement, and 1t
is stated by who know the conditions that
efforts are still under way to effect amcable
agreement outside the commission, This is
based the belief that the big companies are
not at all desirous of having their books become
public property. and also that their wages are
not such as impress the commission. What
ground there is for this II is impossible to say.
Principals each side decline to talk about it
The mine workers show the greatest interest In
H. and there is little doubt that they would ac-
cept the 10 per cent increase and the nine hour
day proposed by Wayne MacVeash. They be-
lieve If they can attack the position of the
independent operators as TO show that 1t is not
&c strong as that of many OF the big companies.
they believe that a settlement outside the COM
mission will follow.
The independents held meeting to-day at
which It was arranged to further complete their
There have been rumors that they are nopeIul
the present complication and the strength they
show viii result in the big coal companies Srao,
ualy absorbing them. but not one OF them WIZ
admit there is anything OF this nature In tne
air and their attorney, Ira Burns, or thlS city
says IL is without foundation,
The mine workers. unless there is e Setue
mont 40 no. expect 10 end their case before
Christmas and II is admitted that the operators
will take much longer than the mine workers