The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-11
P'eslae8f Baer's Report IN
AHs5ce5 TO -/0hR Mitchell
Made PH6hc Today BY tie
Strike Commission.
UaSrS Nor LOz0 W0ykwen
Haze More AaaaAhaees
IHaR ARTa0here Else ia
tie Hozla.

10 HHLfrarlhe LRanSk1T.
Company MI Refase 10
R6rQSulse II.
hon Carroll D. Wright. recorder and
member Of the anthracite ccaI strike
commission. today made public tha
answer or the Philadelphia and Reading
I Coai and Iren Company 70 the complaint
! CT President John Mitchell submitted on
behalf Of the striking miners. 4 num-
Der CT otEer answers have been re-
c,ivec. and all are said to be in line
with the argument advanced By Presi-
dent Bae-. OF the Reading Company.
-'ir. Baer's report is. in part. as follows:
The Philadelphia and Reading Coal
ana Iron Company. replying 10 the de-
IEaEds OF John Mitchell reD-esepf;pr
certain anthracite mine workers. saws.
he first de-nSnd for twenty per cent
Increase upcn the price paid during the
year 1901 10 employees. doing contract
or piece work is arbitrary. unreason-
a0ie and unjust
Wages Not Lower.
This company denies thar there Is
any such similarity between the mining
or biruminous and anthracite ccaI AZ
TO make wages paid in one a standard
for the other. II denies that the rate
cf wages in The mines operated bv tb5s
company is lower than that paid in tho
biturinous ccal fields. whose coal out
put eonPe5es actively with the produces
OF this coEoany's mines.
This company denies that the present
rate Of wages is lower than Is paid n
other occupations in The same IoeaIiry
and controlled by like conditions. And
IL fu. Der AYERS that the annual earaiuss
OF 5he anthracite mine workers is large
ly reduced BY their refusal to work as
many days as it is customary 70 work
N other oceuDs tions. ami that by reason
thereof this company Is subjected 10
great loss
This company denies that the average
earnings or the men working fun time
in The anthracite coal field is less than
the average annual earnings for oecu-
pations requiring equal skill and traiu-
ing.
This company denies that the rate
o. wages in the anthracite coal fields is.
insufficient 10 compensate The mine
workers II view Of the dangerous char
acter' OF The occupation in relation 10
accidents. liability 10 serious and per
manent disease. the high death rate.
and the short trade life incident 10 this
employment
STANDARD OF Living High.
This company AYERS that the standard
OF living in the anthracite region il
equal 20 that Of the average American
Workman, that re towns and ei1ies are
better Than any mining town in the BIZ
luminous coal fields OF TIE United states.
This company denies that the alleged
increased cost OF living has luade il iu7-
possible 70 maintain d fair standard OF
lie upon The basis OF present wages or
from securing any benefit from increased
prosperity ana that the condition OF The
workmen is poorer on account Of il.
This company further denies that The
children o. The anthracite mine workers
are D-ematurely forced into The break
ers and mills. Nc boys are employed
in and about The mines and breakers in
violation OF the statutes fixing the ages
OF employment.
In addition 10 provisions for educa-
tion ample hospitals for The care OF The
sick and injured are maintained in The
anthracite coal region
In obedience 10 the strike and pump
order. and the power expressly given
by The Shamokin convention. ali name.
OF force and violence was used TO pre-
vent pumping OF the mines tC save them
from destruction and 10 prevent non
union Esn from working.
This company AYERS that these act.
Of intimidation. OF injury TO persons and
property. and disturbance OF the public
peace. were contrary 70 the laws OF The
land
Commission Inquiry Limited.
This company AYERS that the investi-
cation OF The commission is confined 10
matters Affecting its employees and ex-
olUdes the United Mine Workers OF
America from any part or recognition in
the proceedings. recommendations. OF
decisions Of the commission
Further answering. IL says that II
and when labor organization limited 70
workers in snthraciJe mines is created
which shan obey the laws OF the land.
respect The right OF every man 20 work
whether he belonsG 20 union or not.
employers in securing good work. efici-
lncy. fair production. and necessary dis
ipiine. trade agreements may beeons
practicable.
The company does not. and win not
discriminate against workmen belonging
10 the United Mine Workers o. Amert-
"a or aEr other labor organization 81