The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-11-06
The Coal Commission.

The coal commissioners on Thursdsy
went from Washington TO Scranton
Pa. by special train and there made &
thorough examination of two nines
the methods Of operation, weighing
OF the coal and the work performed by
the men, looking carefully into each
process.
On Friday the coal commission
decided that il any change lie made Ia
| the rate OF wages Of the men IL shall
date from Nov. /. This announcement
was made by the commission through
Recorder Wright ia the following brief
statement given out by him: Voted
unanimously that il the commission at
the conclusion Of its hearings and de-
lioerations, makes any award affecting
existing rates OF wages such award
| shall take t fleet from Nov. |, 1902.
The Commissioners on Friday morn
ing Inspected the Manvile Mine, Com.
missioner Wright did not go into the
mine, but returned TO the hotel to look
after correspondence. The Manville
shaft is ago feet deep. The conditions
at this colliery are claimed to be the
worst in the Scranton region, the veins
ness. The mine has been in operation
twenty-five years and Is built in the
old style-that is, the breaker is directly
over the shaft, instead of two hundred
feet away from the mouth OF the open
ing, as the law now requires. The
commissioners inspected two breasts
and were In the main two hours and
half. The first breast was 2200 feet
from the foot of the shaft, and the COM
missioners had to walk along in
STOPPING position owing TO the low
roof. 1t was extremely tiresome for
those unaccustomed 10 the mine. At
the face OF the breast a miner and his
helper were found. Some of the com.
mission piled the two men with all sorts
OF questions. The miner said he was
able to get out four or five cars day :;
told how much he made, and gave
other information to the commissioners.
Judge Gray was so fatigued from
walking in bent-over position for an
hour that he decided to GO to the sur
face. He was hosted to the top with
Bishop Spaulding. General Wilson
was the most aggressive of the COM
missioners in seeking information.
The commissioners went to Wilkes
barre to make inspections of mines,
Saturday, and returned to Scranton
to stay over Sunday. President Mitch
ell has all the data prepared which he
intends to present to the investigating
committee when it is called for.
He has statistics from nearly every
colliery in the anthracite region, show.
ing the wages the employs earn; ;
what it costs to live, school facilities.
duration of school term, etc.
The strike mine commissioners left for
Hazleton at II o'clock Sunday night TO
spend four days in further acquainting
themselves with the physical features of
mining. They had not decided up TO the
time of leaving how they would divide
their time while in the middle and lower
districts. 1t was definitely decided,
though, that no more than four days
would be devoted to the trip. Assistant
Recorder Neill was left behind to receive
the miners statement from President
Mitchell Monday. On Thursday, 1t is
expected, the operators counter state
ment will be presented, The COM
missioners will then take a recess until
Friday, November II, by which time the
two parties will be expected to have COM
pleted the preparation of their cases and
be ready to go on with the hearings.
The commissioners will also devote the
interim to preparation for the hearings
by acquainting themselves with the
details OF the two statements.