The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-11
BAER REPLIES.
President of the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal Co.
Files His Answer to the United
Mine Workers.
MAKES 1T PERSONAL.
Carefully Avoids Mentioning
Mitchell's Position
As President of the Organiza-
tiOn of Miners.
MAKES 1T PERSONAL.

Washington, Nov 1.-THE reply of
| President George F. Baer of the Phila-
delphia & Reading Coal company, to
the charges of President Mitchell of the
United Mine Workers, which has been
presented to the anthracite strike COM
mission today given to the public.
Mr.. Baer makes no reference to Mr.
Mitchell the president of the miners
organiza ton, but refers to him simply
as an individual. Taking up the specf-
fications in Mr.. Mitchell's charges
seriatim, Mr.. Baer first admits that his
company owns thirty-seven coliieries
and that before the strike it employed
26 S29 people. Following is a brief sum-
mary of the response to Mr.. Mitchell's
specifications:
Second-The demand for 20 per cent
increase in wages on piece work is de-
nounced as arbitrary, unreasonable
and unjust" The company contends
that after making all necessary allow
ance for difference in conditions the rate
of wages paid for mining of anthracite
is as high as that paid in the bitumin-
GUS coal fields.
Third-The company denies that the
present rate of wages is lower than is
locality and controlled by like condi-
lions.
Fourth and Fifth-Mr Baer denies
that the earnings of the anthrac cite
workers are less than average earnings
for other occupations requiring skill and
training and also the charge that the
earnings are insufficient because of the
dangerous character of the work in the
anthracite mines
Sixth-This specification made by Mr..
Mitchell is referred to as too vague for
specific answer, but in general way
it is stated that the anthracite regions
are among the most prosperous in the
United States.
Seventh-The company pronounces as
unjust and inequitable the demand for
a reduction of 20 per cent in hours of
Dor without a reduction of earnings
for time employed and this demand is
pronounced impracti BILE. In. this con-
nection the following statement is
made: 5o.lsf-sL' .p@E .i.us. 3
Because of the injury to the mines
by the strike of the United Mine Work
ers, the cost of producing coal has been
greatly increased and a temporary adj
vance in price was made by this COM
pany but it will be imDractfcable to
continue such increase when mining OPP
eratiOns become normal"
Eighth-Mr. Baer says that his COM
pany has no disagreement with any of
its employees about the weighing of coal
because the quantity is usually determ-
ined by measurement and not by weight.
Ninth-Replying to the fourth demand
made by Mr.. Mitchell. Mr.. Baer says
since the advent of theA United Mine
Workers organization into the anthra-
cite fields business conditions there have
been intolerable; that the output Of the
mines has decreased; that discipline has
been destroyed; that strikes have been
of almost daily Occurrences: that men
have worked when and as they pleased,
and tat the cost of mining has -been
greatly increased. He also takes the DO
sition that the jurisdiction of the com
mission is limited to the conditions
named by the coal company presidents,
which excluded the United Mine Work
ers from any recognition in the proceed
ings. He says, however that "when a
labor organization limited to- anthrac cite
mine workers is created which shall
obey the law respect the right of every
man to work and honestly cooperate
with employers, trade agreements may
become practicable"