The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-11-12
BaER's REPLY TO MITCHELL.
Many of the Miners Allegations
Specifically Denied.

Washington, November 1.-THE
reply of Preident George F. Baer, of
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
Company, to the charges of President
Mitchell, of the United Mine Work
ers, which has been presented to the
anthracite coal strike commission, was
today given to the public. Mr.. Baer
makes no reference to Mr.. Mitchell as
the president of the miners organiza-
tion, but refers to him simply as an
individual. Taking up the specifca-
tions in Mr.. Mitchell's charge seria-
tim, Mr.. Baer first admits that his
company owns thirty-seven collieries
and that before the strike it employed
26, S29 people.
Following is brief summary OF the
response to Mr.. Mitchell's other speci-
fcations:
Second. The demand for 20 per cent
Increase in wages on piece work is de-
nounced as arbitrary, unreasonable
and unjust" The company contends
that after making all necessary allow
ances for different conditions that the
rate of wages paid for the mining of
anthracite coal is as high as that paid
in the bituminous coal fields.
Third. The company denies that the
present rate of wages is lower than is
paid in other occupations in the same
lcality and controlled By like condi-
tiens.
Fourth and fifth. Mr. Baer denies
that the earnings of the anthracite
workers are less than average earnings
for the occupations requiring skill
and training, and also the charge that
the earnings are insufficient because
of the dangerous character of the work
in the anthracite mines.
Sixth. This specification made by
Mr.. Mitchell is referred to as too
vague for specific answer, but in a
general way it is stated that the an
thracite regions are among the most
prosperous in the United States.
Seventh. The company ponounces
as unjust and ineauitable the demand
for reduction of 20 per cent in hours
of labor without reduction of earn
ings for time employed, and this de-
mand is pronounced impracticable.
In this connection the following state
ment is made:
Because Of the injury to the mines
by the strike of the United Mine
Workers the cost of producing coal
has been greatly increased and TEN
porary advance was made by this
company, but it will be impracticable
to continue such increase when mining
operations become normal. -
Eighth. Mr.. Baer says that his COM
pany has no disagreement with any OF
its employees about the weighing OF
coal, because the quantity is usually
determined by measurement and not
by weight.
Ninth. Replying to the fourth ce-
mand made by Mr.. Mitchell Mr.. Baer
says since the advent of the United
| Mine Workers organization into the
anthracite fields business conditions
there have been intolerable; 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 is limit
ed to the condition named by the coal
company presidents, which excludes
the United Mine Workers from any
recognition in the proceedings. He
says, however, that "when labor
orgnization limited to anthracite mine
workers is created which shall obey
the law, respect the right of every
man to work and honestly cooperate
with employees, trade agreement may
become practicable.