The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-14

Washington. November 12--That the
TO the utmost every effort to make the
recognition Of the United Mine Work
ers of America. an issue in the arbitra-
ton which is new In progress, Is made
evident by the replies to the statement
OF President John Mitchell OF the min
ers' organization which have been filled
with the strike commission. There are
five of these answers in addition TO that
of President Baer, which was given out
yesterday. and all dwell with especial
emphasis and marked unanimity on
this point. They also agree in resisting
the demands of the miners for an in
crease Of pay for piece work. a reduction
of hours for time work and for the
Weighing rather than the measuring OF
coal.
Recorder Wright left for the anthra-
cite regions today. taking these replies
with him. In addition to the statement
made for the Reading Company by
President Baer. the list. comprises the
replies of the Delaware and Hudson
Company, the Delaware and Lackawan-
| ma, the Lehigh Valley the PennsyIva-
| MIA and the Scranton Coal Company.
The reply for the Delaware and Lack
| awanna Company signed by w. III.
| Truesdale says:
This company unequivocalIy asserts
| that it will under no condition recog-
nize or enter into any agreement with
the association known as the United
| Mine Workers OF America or any
branch thereof. Nor will 1t permit said
association or its officers TO dictate the
| xrh
| shall conduct it's business
| Mr.. Truesdale declares that ft Is i'm
| possible to adopt a uniform rate to be
| paid to the miner for a unit of coal
| mined at all mines. On the point OF
| general prosperity, he says that prior
to the introduction Of agitators and mis-
| chief makers the anthracite workers
| were on an average as prosperous, COM
| Portable, and contented as any body Of
| workers in similar employment in this
| country" The wages, 1t is added. are
| such that frugal employees have saved
| a substantial amount every year.
Mr.. Truesdale resists the demand for
| a reduction of 20 per cent. In hours OF
| labor, saying that no branch Of busf-
| ness employing thousands OF men can
| hope to compete successfully in the
market OF the world If its hours of labor
| are restricted.
| President Olyphant OF the Delaware
| and Hudson Company in his reply, de-
| clares that the wages paid by his COM
| pany are just and adequate. He also
says that those Of Its employees who
| perform contract or piece work. as a
| matter of their own volition, work only
| about six hours a day and take num-
| erous holidays. without the consent II
approval Of this respondent, and their
| earnings, by hours OF actual work are.
| therefore, much higher than those I'm
| any similar employment"
| President Olyphant also takes excep-
| ton to the proposition to arbitrate the
question of the recognition OF the min
ers union. This position Is taken on the
| ground that the organization, seeks TO
| control the entire fuel supply of the
| country; that as the union Is unincor-
| porated, 1t Is incapable OF making a
| binding contract.
President 7. p. Fowler speaks for the
| Scranton Coal Company and the Elk
| Hill Coal and Iron Company He as
| serts that IL the average wages earned
| by the anthracite workers is less than
/ that paid TO workers in other employ
| ment, 1T Is because they fix their own
hours Of labor and the amount OF their
| earnings
| On the question of miners unions. Mr..
| Fowler says:
| I'VE deny that agreements between
employers and employees through work
ing mems organizations are Beneficial
| and successful in the bitumenous coal
fields or elsewhere. and assert that any
| such agreement as method Of reguia-
| ting production would be and Is infurf-
| Gus to the best interests OF the public.
The statements made for the Lehigh
| Valley and the Pennsylvania companyss
/ cover the same ground as the other
statements.
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