Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-11-12
.BAER MAKES REPLY.
Answers Charges Brought BY Head
Of the Mine Workers
ASSAIIS THAT ORGANIZATION
ReaafAE-s President Declares That
since II Came late Anthracite
CGainelds Business Conditions
There Have Been Intolerable.

Washington. Nov. 1.-THE reply Of
President George #. Baer OF the Fhila-
defphia and Reading Goal company 10
the charges Of President Mitchell Of
the Tnifed Mine Workers, which has
\ been presented 10 the anthracite COIL
strike commission. has been given 10
the public. Mr.. REer makes DO refer
ente 10 Mr. Mitchell ss The president
Of the miners organization, but refers
| TO him simply as an individual TAX
/ ing I'D 1he specifications in Mr..
Mitchell's charges seriatim, Mr.. Baer
first admits that his company owns
thirty seven csliisries and that before
the strike it employed 26.6Z9 people.
Following lis g brief summary of The
response to Mr.. Mitchells other speci-
fca1ionE;
Secoud.-The demand for 20 per cent
increase in wages Oh pieceworR is de-
nounced as arbitrary. unreasonable
and unjust" The company contends
that after making ali necessary allow
rate Il wages paid for the mining Of
anthracite coal is as high as that paid
in the bituminous coalfelos.
Third.-The company denies that the
present rate Of wages lis lower than is
paid IN other occupations IN the same
locality and controlled by like condi-
lions
Ear.iAGs 81 Mtpers.
Fourth and Fifth.-Mr Baer denies
that the earnings Of the anthracite
workers are less than average earn
ings for other occupations requiring
skill and training and also the charge
that the earnings are insufficient BE-
cause Of the dangerous character Of
work in the anthracite mines.
Sixth.-This specification made by
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to ~ too vague
fer specific answer. bit in a general
way it is stated that the anthracite re-
gions are among the most prosperous
in the United States.
Seventh.-The company ponsuDces
as unjust and inequjtahle the demand
for reduction Of 10 per cent In hours
OF labor without reduction II earn
ings for time employees and this de-
nand il pronounced impracticahle. In
this connection the following state
meut is made:
Because Of the injury to the mines
by the strike Of the United Nine work
err the cost Of producing coal has been
greatly increased and q temporary ad-
vance IN price was made By this com-
pany, but il win be impracticahae to
continue 7ch increase when mining
operations become normal"
The Qsesttsa II WeteAs.
Eghth.-Mr. Baer says that his COM
pany has NO disagreement with any at
its employees about the weighing Of
coal- because the quantity Il usually
determined by measurement and not
by weight.
Ninth.-Replying to the fourth de-
mand made by Mr.. Mitchell M Baer
says since the advent of the United
Mine Workers organization into the
anthracite fields business conditions
there have been intaaers bile. that The
output of the mines has decreased;
that discipline has been destroyed:
that strikes have been Of almost daily
occurrence. that men have worked
when and as they please and that the
cost Of mining has been greatly in
creased
He also takes the position that the
Jurisdiction of the commission ik him.
tied to the conditions named by the
coal company presidents. which ex-
cludes the United Mine Workers from
any recognition IN the proceedings He |
says. however. that when 4 labor or
Ganixation limited to anthracite mime /
workers is created which shall obey |
the law respect the rights 0f every l
nan to work and honestly cooperate
with employers trade agrsanents may J
become practicable"