Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-10-31
Decision as to Date When Any
Change in Miners Wages
will be Effective
COMMISSION NAMES NOVEMBER
Brief Statement Given Out That II
Any Change ls Made Effeetins the
Rate Of Wages, the Award Will Be
Retroactive From Date Of First Of
November.


cite strike commission has officially de-
cided that II any change is made in the
rate Of wages of the men 1t shall date
from tomorrow, Nov. 1. This an
nouncement was made by the commis-
sion thru Recorder Wright in the fol-
lowing brief statement, given out this
morning.
.svoted, unanimously, that IL the com-
mission at the conclusion of its hear
ing and deliberations makes any award
affecting the existing rates of wages,
such award shall take effect from Nov.
/, 1902"
Recorder Wright stated that the res
!olution was adopted by the commission
because 1t was felt that 1t was impor-
itant to make its Investigations deliber-
ately and that 1t might be well. in, order
to relieve itself from pressure from any
source which might cause undue haste,
to inform the operators and miners that
should the investigation and delibera-
tions following 1t warrant any change
whatever, either in the way OF the In
crease or reduction of wages, sucn
change should be from certain date.
thus enabling all parties to facihtate
their calculations.
The action Of the commission In tax
ing this step at this time will save the
commissioners a lot OF time. y ls
known that each side to the controver-
sy would take determined stand on
the question when the new rate OF
wages. II one is made, shall go into ef-
feet. The operators in their original
proposition to President Roosevelt
wanted the commission to fix the date.
The miners wanted the prospective new
rate to be retroactive and go into enect
on the day when the miners returned
to work, which was week ago yester-
day. President Mitchell, who was here
over last night. left for Wilkesbarre to.
day before the announcement was
made. 1t is not known what ne tnlnKs
OF the commissions action.
The members OF the party were up
early today, ready for another hard
davis work. They left the hotel soon
after the arrival Of Commissioners Wat
.kins. whose home Is in this city. Wat
kins. owing to his Intimate knowledge
lof mining in this region. is the guid-
ing spirit OF the party. He arranged
trip and has genera
charge OF today's tour. In this ne is
assisted by the superintendents OF frne
companies located in this vicinity also
by District President Nichols OF tne
miners union, Manville mine, which
was inspected today. operated Jointly
nv Delaware and Hudson and Lack
awanna and Western Companies. The
mine In one OF the worst for miners IN
this territory. The veins are small and
there is barely room enough for the
workmen to stand up. This coiltery
was visited at the suggestion OF the
mine workers representative.
The commissioners Inspected three
breasts and were in two hours and
half. The first breast was 1900 feet
from the foot Of the shaft and the com-
missioners had to walk along in a
stopping position, owing to the low roof.
It was extremely tiresome for those un-
accustomed to the mine. AT the face OF
the breast miner anG helper were
found. Some Of the commission piled
the men with all sorts Of questions. The
miner said he was able to get out four
or Ave cars a day; told how much he
made and gave other information,
Judge Gray was so fatigued by walk
ing in q bent-over position for an hour
that he decided to go to the surface. He
was hoisted to the top with Bishop
|spalding. General Wilson was the most
aggressive of the com 'ssioners in
seeking information. He did not ap-
pear to mind the physical discomfort
and asked many questions Of both the
company officials and miners and their
and usually got answers
to questions from both sides that were
at variance with each other.