Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1902-11-14
BAER'SREPLYT OMINHRS
Saws Demand For 20 Per Cent In
crease is Arbitrary and Unjust.
No ILLEeAL cAILD LAsoR
Readings President Maintains That
Rate Of Wages Paid For Mining An.
th-acite Is As High As That Paid

thracite Is As High As That Paid
Fer 5ituminous.
Washington, Nov. u. - President /
Baer, of the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron Company, has fled with
the anthracite coal strike commission
the reply of that company to the de-
mands made by John Mitchell, presi-
dent Of the Mine Workers of America,
concerning the points involved in the
anthracite coal strike. Mr.. Baer makes
no reference to Mr.. Mitchell as the
president of the miners organization,
but refers to him simply as an individ-
ual. Taking up the specifications in
Mr.. MitchelPs charges seriatim, Mr..
Baer first admits that his company
owns 81 collieries, and that before the
strike it employed 26.s29 people. Fol-
lowing is a brief summary of the re-
Spouse to Mr.. Mitchelps other specih-
cations:
second-The demand for 20 per cent
increase in wages on piece work is
denounced as arbitrary, unreasonable
and unjust" The company contends
that after making all necessary allow
ancs for different conditions that the
rate Of wages paid for the mining Of an
thracite coal is as high as that paid in
the bituminous coal fields.
+ Third-The company denies that the
present rate Of wages is lower than is
paid in other occupations in the same
locality and controlled by like condi-
lions.
Fourth and ffth-Mr Baer denies
that the earnings Of the anthracite
workers are less than theaVerage earn
ings Of other occupations requiring
skill and training, and also the charg'
that the earnings are insufficient be
cause Of the dangerous character o
Z work in the anthracite mines.
siixth-This specification made b.
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to as to-
vague for specific answer, but in a gen
ersll way it is stated that the anthracit
REGIONS are among the most prosper
n GUS in the United States.
Il This company denies that "the chill
dren of the anthracite mine workers ar
4 prematurely forced into the breaker
" and mills instead Of being supporte
and educated upon the earnings OF thei
parents because of low wages Of sue
IS parents, or that such wages are belo
the fair and just earnings of mir
workers in this industry No boys al
employed in and about the mines an
a. breakers in violation of the statute
ID f1ing the ages Of employment.
r. Seventh II The company pronounce
S. as unjust and inequitable the demaI
b. for a reduction of 20 per cent. in Il
IN hours Of labor without a reduction
Il earnings for time employees, and tn
!, demand is pronounced as being il
practicable. In this connection the fc
? lowing statement is made: Because
~ the injury to the mines by the stril
w OF the United Mine Workers the CO
Of producing coal has been greatly
es creased and a temporary advance
th price was made by this company, but
40 will be impracticable to continue su
"a Increase when mining operations
ne come normal"
~. Eighth-Mr. Baer says that his col
pany has no disagreement with any
its employees about the weighing Of co
s. because the quantity is usually det'
t. mined by measurement and not
IN. weight.
Ninth-Replying to the fourth (
OF nland made by Mr. Mitchell, Mr.. B;
says that since the advent Of
United Mine Workers organization
US I'd the anthracite fields business con
OF tons there have been intolerable; Il
M the output Of the mines has decrease
i've that discipline has been destroyed; t
ip- men have worked when and as Il
of pleased, and that the cost Of min
The has been greatly increased. He a
:, takes the position that the jurlsdict
- Of the commission is limited to
~ conditions named by the coal comp,
III presidents, which excludes the Uni
MS Idine Workers from any recognition
a the proceedings. He says. howe'
cal that when a labor organization limi
me to anthracite mine workers is crea
ind which shall obey the law, respect
ma right of every man to work and hon
yel- " cooperate with employers, TT
agreements may become practicable