New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-04
SEE A STRIKE IN FORCE.
COMMISSIONERS VISIT DISTRICT WHERE
MEN ARE STILL OUT
FIND THE STAND OF THE OPERATORS AND
MEN AN INTERESTING PROBLEM
DUFFY TIRES THEM OUT
IBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNE.


IBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNEI
Hazieton. Penn. Nov. 3.-The arbitration COM
rnissioners spent to-day in the one part OF the
coal region where strike exists. There are
nine thousand men out These were formerly
employed by the individual operators, and can
return 20 work now on condition that they apply
individually, that they agree to abide by the
decision Of the strike commission. and that they
promise not 20 interfere with the non-union
men. They must in this latter particular agree
not 10 influence any TO leave or join any
society" All these promises the strikers upon
the advice Of their leaders. decline TO make. and
in consequence the mines Of G. B. Markle & Co,
Coke Bros. g. Co. J. S. wentz e. Co and A
Pardee & Co. are idle.
The commissioners owing TO these conditions
regarded the region OF particular interest
because It would show them at first hand the
positions OF the operator and the miner. 1t did
II showed them such a condition of hostility
that there seems no present hope OF overcom-
ing IL. All day long they met II. and tonight
are convinced that the situation is a grave one
They will not say what they believe the remedy
20 be.
The operators stand is clearly defined. John
Marke says:
I shall keep my mine closed until the men apply
Tor work individually and verbally promise to agree
70 do so. Why should not they? If it was FOR
1
10 work
The other companies indorse this statement
President Duffy and National Board Member
Gallagher said to-day that the men would never
consent to such agreements
NO EFFORT To SETTLE DIFFERENCE.
While the commissioners made no effort TO
harmonic the two factions. they were curious
20 know why the operators could not take back
the men as did the large companies without
acting any agreements and why the mine work
ers could not repeat personally the decision of
their convention at Wilkesbarre. They did not
get a great deal of light either side. except
that each was determined and confident of abl-
~ 10 hold out.
Not an answer has Yet been received from the
individual operators 10 the invitations sent them
by the commission to appear at the sittings and
present what evidence they have. Until the
operators reply no copies Of Mr.. Mitchells
presentation Of his side of the case Will be sent
10 them. Copies were mailed tonight to the
presidents of the Philadelphia and Reading. the
Erie, the Delaware and Hudson. the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western the Lehgh Valley
and the NeWYOrk, Ontario and Western COM
panies The companies asked for three days TO
make their answer. The commissioners gave
them until Saturday.
The trouble between the operators and miners
resulted to-day in continual friction between
President Duffy and National Board Member
Gallagher and the operators who accompanied
the commission regarding the points TO be
visited and what should he seen. In the end
the commissioners did a great deal Of hard work
climbing up and down the slopes OF the Auden-
ried mine Of the Lehigh and Wikesbarre Coal
Company, through the efforts Of President Duffy
20 show them the conditions. Bishop Spalding
did not enter the mine. but while the others
were inside examined the workers at the sur
face.
BLAST STARTLES COMMISSIONERS
There was one incident at the Audenried
which startled the commissioners. They were
inspecting a breast when heavy blast was
fired near by. The conclusion was so heavy that
the lamps were blown out and the party for
a moment under the impression that something
serious had occurred. Later they had 10 force
their way through the narrow entrance Of
"Purch' chambers. where the ending Of the
chute is much smaller than the body OF the
chamber Up these. many Of them at steep
pitch and over loose coal. the commissioners
scrambled. Then they climbed up slippery
slopes and. what was worse. slid down them
again.
but was not hurt. Once or twice the commits
sioners protested hut President Duffy persisted
and they finally climbed again. II was q. weari
some, toilsome three hours. ana When lheE again
reached the surface they had not learned much
that was new. President Duffy will accompany
the commissioners through the Panther 'reek
valley on Wednesday
Al the Audenried colliery is the only so-caled
ssco,,-% house system in the region. This is
method Of practically testing the amount OF
slate II there is protest by miner about the
amount Of dockage, he is allowed TO take the car
10 the scales. There IL is dumped, the coal ana
.l.,a escorted and the slate weighed If il is
,,orra .ban SOA Mounds the man is suspended for
three days, if more than l,JOO pounds he is dis
charged
T., The morning the commissioners visited the
upper Lehigh and the Coke Brothers collierles
and later went to Jeddo. where that village and
Fcbervale were inspected and one of the clubs
esta blished by John Markle for the mine work
&c was seen. Tomorrow morning the COM
-nissioners will start for the Shamokin district.
on "Wednesday they viii be in the Panther
Greek district and on Thursday IN ana aDou'
PottsVille.