Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-11-15
Masters and Men Should Elect Committees
to Adjust Grievances,
DEMANDS RECOGNITION or The UNION
Says Mutual Arrangements Elsewhere Have
Prevented Labor War.
PLEADS FOR CHILD LABORERS IN PITS
Claims Little Ones should Not We
Forced tc work Mt Tender Age
Either gu CoIItc-Ics or
Factories.

SCRANTON. Pa. Nov. it--Thc cormis-
sion appointed by President Roosevelt to
arbitrate the differences existing between
the anthracite mine WORKERS and their en-
ployes today began uc hearing OF the miu-
ers' side OF the case.
Mr. Mitchell opened with lengthy
statement, following It by entering the
box and submitting TO examination under
oath. lie demanded shorter hours and
higher wages for the men and entered n
strong plea FOR the children who, he said.
were obliged to toll In the mines TO help
their par ants exc out prccarious cN-
istence. Toward the end he outlined
scheme for preventing strikes by the
formation OF joint conClliauon boards
When the commission rose he was Btili
in the box undergoing rapid cross-cxam-
nation by u. w. Wilson, counsel for the
Delaware q Hudson Railroad company.
The seven commissioners have seats on
the bench In front OF them are three long
tables, one for John Mitchell and his
attorneys, one for the lawyers OF tho coal
companies and the third for the attorneys
Of the Independent operators. The AT
rangements for the hearings are admirable.
and it is likely the commission will hear
all the evidence in this city.
The operators were represented hy
twenty-five lawyers, the nonunion miners
by two and the United Mine Workers by
Mr. Mitchell and six attorneys.
Corridors Are Crowded.
As early as o'clock the corridors we're
crowded with people OF all classes and
conditions eager to gain admittance. Only
a few of them, however, got through the
door, almost every seat was occupied
by general superintendents OF mining com
panies and other officials and representa-
t.ves OF the mine workers.
The attitude of the commissioners was
closely followed by everyone in court
They appeared to be greatly interested in
the ross-examination OF Mr.. Mitchell. but
seemed to grow restless under the cease
less fire Of questions aimed at him.
Judge Gray. chairmen was spokesman
for the commission and at times propounded
queries. At the close Of the session he
| asked MIR. Mitchell whether his organiza-
tion approved the act Of Withdrawing from
or denying the necessaries OF life to those
who had offended the organization.
Il should say, erlphatically, no." re-
| sponded the witness.
! During the hearing the statement was
/ brought for the first time that the union
| had disbursed 1900 900 among the strikers.
! The proceedings opened shortly after 10
] "
! mission arrived.
Mr. Mitchell said he would hle
! further statement on Monday in answer 20
| some Of the allegations Of the operators.
John T. Lenahan OF Wilkesbarre. on be-
half of the nonunion men, inquired OF the
/ commission what course the proceedings
would take with respect to them. Judge
! Gray answered that that was a question
which would have to be considered.
Mitchell Addresses Commission.
Mr.. Mitchell then arose and addressed
the commission. His statement contained
1000 words. He prefaced his statement with
the hope that the commission would sue
ceed in arranging relations between the
operators and miners that will insure peace
and stability in the industry for an in
definite period" After reciting the de-
mands for increased pay for the miner. a
shorter work day for the laborer, the
weighing OF the coal and an industrial
agreement, the refusal Of all OF which led 10
the strike MIR. Mitchell spoke as follows on
the question of higher wages:
OF the l47,Oco men and boys employed IN
! and around the mines, strippings, washer
les and breakers in the anthracite coal
| fields g. or, or 43 per cent, are employed on
contract, or piece work the Ttmaihins ~
on. or 81 per cent, are employed by the
| hour, day. week or month. or the 6,0l.
contract miners H.S"i are miners and -6,2H
The work OF miner and "A miner
laborer Is extremely hazardous, In fact II
is more dangerous than employment In any
o.Ssr important industry In the world
The number OF persons killed and injured
Is greater than I'm any other industry, Each
day the anthracite coal mines are In opera
tion 6-lO persons loss' their lives and thres
times many arr maimcd, and Yet thess
men receive less wages annually than ars
received hy men performing precisely simi
lar work I'm other uelds under moro favor
able and less hazardous conditions.
| The number Of years "a man can Tetair
| his health iu this occupation II limited. II
ne escapes death or injury by falls of roci
or coal, he cannot escape attacks Of miners
Reputable insurance companies viii no
issue policies 90 this class of worknnen
The risks are so great that the premium
! would be- prohibItive % men whose earniuE
| are SO low, iHr cuTiTr - per cent Wniri
. ! they demand as an increase tu their wage
| would not suffice Co carry an Insurance a.
Ia seems but fair and Just that VASE
! as nigh, II not higher. than wages paid q
skilled artisans iu other Industries
,nl.. Di1Irs ryr.sb .bnuiI reeve a. bisS vtss ,e
! as arr paid Co miners iu IN" buuminou
coal HeIds tn tho silver and sold mines, o
! which work is loss Aazardous. frser tror
J | liability fu ai~rl~H. rrgutring lees expert
labor .u the anthracite GOAL fields
R~durtieu 90 usars
In supporting the demand for the rstu-
, tlon % the hours of rhs iay hhorer,
. hs showed that DO amounted prae
rlcally % a demand Cor 2I per cent inrreas
% compensation Cor $4,000 mHn. or s., Pa
cent % an mine employees.
Continuing hs said
The eight r-huur Ity fs ths standard Nors
, | iuE day iU tnr coal mines - Grrtt Rrfrsr
i1 an thv silver Sold trt copper mines on