Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-28
STRIKE COMMISSION
Begins Session at Washington
--Adjourns to Scranton.
Statistics from Operators Books Will
Be Compiled by Experts.
Commission Will Commence Mine In
spection in Scranton District.

Washington. Oct. 27.-The anthracite
coal strike commission, today, in the
hearing room of the interstate COM
merce commission, held its first con-
ference with the parties to the contro-
versy in the anthracite regions. There
was full representation of both oper-
atOrs and miners, and members of the
press and a number of other interested
parties were present. The commission
occupied the elevated seats generally
filled by members of the interstate
commerce commission, Judge Gray, as
president, occupying the center seat.
and Messrs. Wright, Watkins and
Clark the seats to the right of him in
the order named. while Gen. Wilson,
Bishop Spalding and Mr.. Parker sat
on the left in the order of their names.
The proceedings covered about two
hours time and were given up entirely
to a discussion of the time and method
of proceeding with the proposed inves-
tigation.
The commission decided to begin it's
work. next Thursday morning. at 3
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.
During the progress of the meeting,
Mr.. Mitchell. as the representative Of
the miners presented a copy of the
original declaration of the miners as
formulated by the Shamokin conven-
ton. as the basis of the demands of the
miners. This demand is, first, for an
increase of 20 per cent. in wages, of
those not engaged by the day; second,
a reduction of 20 per cent. in working
hours of those engaged by the day;
third. the payment for coal mined by
weight at a minimum rate of 60 cents
per ton Of 2240 pounds: fourth, a wage
agreement between the operators and
the miners for an adjustment of wages.
Mr.. Baer on the part Of the coal OPP
orators took exception to Mr.. Mitch
ellis appearance before the commission
as representative Of the Mine Work
ers Union. but said that he had no OBJ
lection to his presence as a representa-
tive Of the strikers as such in their in
dividual capacity. The commissioners
made no attempt to settle the contro-
versy, but it was made apparent that
will be an important and knotty prob
lem for the arbitrator.
Mr.. Mitchell. president of the United
Mine Workers, and District President
Fahy appeared for the miners. and the
coal roads were represented as follows:
President Baer of the Philadelphia &
Reading: Z. B. Thomas. chairman of
the board of Pennsylvania Coal Co.,
l,I1 q. T,.av "
Walter, president of the Lehigh VAL
ley: w. H. Truesdale. president of the
Delaware. Lackawanna & Western;
David Wilcox. vice president of the
Delaware & Hudson; John B. Herr. vice
president of tine Scranton Coal Co. and
Elk Hill Coal & Iron Co.: j. b. Torrey,
attorney for the Delaware Hudson.
and Francis /. GOwan, attorney for the
Lehigh Valley Co.
Judge Gray, president of the COM
mission. read the order of the President
creating the commission and in a gen.
eral way outlined the procedure to be
followed in the presentation of the is
sues. He stated that in addition to the
memorial practiced among English
speaking peoples. the commission
would first receive the statements or
demands of the miners. who were to
be regarded for the purposes of this
case as the prosecutors. The reply of
the other side would then be heard, in
order that the commission might have
before it definite issue.
At the conclusion of Judge Gray's re-
marks. President Mitchell stated that
he had with him the formal demands
of the miners. and at the suggestion
Of Judge Gray he read the statement
of the miners demands adopted by the
Snamokin convention. the rejection Of
which resulted in the strike.
Walter Edward Weyl was also pres
ent as a representative Of the miners.
The hearing room was crowded with
the people interested in the case and
with spectators.
Presidents Baer and Thomas sug-
gested to the commission that 1t pro-
coed at once to the coal fields in order
that 1t might be informed at the outset
as to the conditions there.
1t was agreed that Mr.. Mitchell should
file with the commission next Monday,