The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-17
MINERS FIGURES.
The Anthracite Workers Have
Been Gathering Sta tistics.
Show Few High School Gradu-
ates Among Their Children.
THE WAGE RATE SHOWS
An Average of 1855 a Year
Taking All Glasses.
President Mitchell Resumes His
Testimony Before Commission.


gathered by the United Mine Workers
from the Schuylkill region for presenta-
ton to the arbitration commission,
show that only per cent of the grad
yates of the local high schools are sons
of miners.
The wage rate shows an average of
1885 per year for the mine workers.
wages of laborers being included with
the miners in the calculation. A pro-
test will be made on behalf of the
Schuylkill miners to the commissioners
against the acceptance of the PROPOSE
| ton of the Reading company to base the
rate of wages on the price of coal. This
was the system in vogue here before the
| strike of 1900 and mine workers say to
return to it would be very unsatisfac-
tory.
MITCHELL RESUMES.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 17.-President Nit
chell of the miners union, resumed the
stand today upon the convening of the
coal strike commission and his cross
examination by Wayne MacVeagh
which was begun on Saturday, was
continued. Mr.. MacVeagh represents
the Erie company which operates the
mines under the names of the PennSyl-
vaaia Coal company and the Hillside
Coal & Iron company. Mr.. Mitchell,
who has been on the stand since Friday
morning, brought with him number
quentiy referred to in order to refresh
his memory.
There seemed to be no falling off in
the interest in the proceeding. large
number of persons patiently stood in
line in the corridor of the building in
the hope of gaining admittance to the
hearing. Only a small portion of them
were successful, the limited accommo-
dations being almost entirely taken up
by counsel for both sides and mining
officials, representatives of mine work.
ers and workmen who are employed in
the mines.
Mr. Macveagh began his examination
. by reading from newspaper clippings of
the methods of a labor organization
known the Operative Plasterers as
sociation of New York against the en-
ployers.
DO you approve or do you heartily
, disapprove of these methodist" Mr.. Mac
= veagh asked.
) Il should say that my union has no
such rules was Mr.. Mitchelrs response
Mr.. MacVeagh repeated his question
and Mr.. Mitchell said: Il can only say
that in the absence of knowledge as to
l the causes which made them adopt such
r resolutions I am not competent to pass
, upon the fairness or unfairness of them
D On the surface and with the information
you convey to me I should say they are
/ unfair"
$ Mr. Macveagh referred to the subject
! of placing the responsibility for the in
n creased price of coal and inquired: DC
you Stlll reel at liberty 10 say Cnat II Is
none of your business what additional
cost the people will have to pay for
+ their coal if that additional cost is the
immediate result of your demands?"
, Il have not said at any time it was
= none of our business replied Mr.
. Mitchell. Il have stated it was beyond
our control. That we have absolutely
nothing to do with the selling price OF
coal.'
Won't your men have to work five
years to make up the loss they sustain
ed during the striker" Mr. MacVeagf
asked.
Not by any means was the positive
answer of Mr.. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell do you think you have
the right to ask for an increase in wages
which. if granted, would increase the
cost of living to hundreds of thousands
of Door?"
The miners representative replied thaf
there are five hundred thousand person:
Il in the anthracit fields who are starving
e and it is their fundamental right to ash
v for living wages in return for theil
. labor
The examination for a few minute
; became very spirited on this phase o
[ the consequence of the strike and thel
II Mr. MacVeagh turned to the matter D
protecting the properties during tn
strike
r Replying to questions by Mr.. Mac
II Veagh on the right of private parties t.
4 protect their property, Mr. Mitchell sai'
n that the provision in the miners consti
u tuition against Dickets grew out of tn
q Homestead strike when a number O
Z private detectives were employed a
guards, most of whom. he declared hai
: been recruited from the slums OF Phila
: delphia and other large cities. MI
l Mitchell insisted that the city, count
?. handle the matter.
r Raising his voice to a high pitch an,
: speaking with great fervor, Mr.. Mac
: Veagh asked the witness:
e U01 know as well lnOX
your name is John Mitchell that in spit
: CT the authorities of this city, of thi
r county and of this state. this whole re
Il giOn has been treated for five months a
: a veritable foretaste of hell?"
e Mr.. Mitchell calmly replied: 4 don
know anything of the kind2'
We'll, you will before We are throug
with you," was Mr. MacVeag CHS retort
Commissioner Watkins here took
n hand in the examination, and it wa
brought out that none Of the picket
employed by the companies represente
by Mr. MacVeaeh had been recruite
J. outside of the community.
!. Mr.. MacVeagh then read Governo
d Stones proclamation calling sout til
e troops IN which the governor said ther
n was reign Of terror in the region. Nj
Mitchell denied the correctness of tn
= governors assertions
10 The eight-hour day question wa
|. taken up and IN reply to query as
n whether he had right to limit man
=, labor to eight hours a day. Mr.. Mitche
reDlied:
10 1--WE favor a maximum Of eight hour
~ a day" and a moment later in answe
,s to a similar question said: I'VE will aC
n cept whatever award the commissio
makes and that award will have Drece
dence over the laws of the union"
Then Mr.. MacVeagh said: Abraham
Lincoln was splitting rails, and he di
n not limit himself to eight hours. and yo
=, | demand It not only for the men in II
If mines but for all the men above groun
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