Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-11-12
IGNORES MITcHELps OFFICIAL STANDING
&eferI to Union President Merely as an
Individual.
REFUsEs HIGHER PAY AND LOWER HOURS
Declares Their Requests to be Both Ar
bitrary and Unjust
JcLAlMs UNION INCREASES COST OF MINING
OFFERS 10 Consider any Future Organ
isation Solely of Anthracite Work.
ers, Demanding That Present
Combination be Ignored.

WASHINGTON, Nov II The reply Of
Deorge f. Baer. president Of the Philadel-
phia & Raedging Coal company, to the
charges Of John Mitchell, president Of the
United Mine Workers, which has been pre-
scented to the Anthracite Coal Strike COM
mission. was today given to the public.
Mr.. Baer makes no reference to Mr..
Mitchell as the president of the miners or.
ganization. but refers to him simply as an
individual.
Taking up the specifications in Mr..
Mitchelrs charges, seriatum Mr.. Baer first
admits that his company owns thirty-seven
collieries and that before the strike II en-
ployed 26.5S9 people Following is a brief
summary OF the response to Mr.. Mitchells
other specifications:
Second-The demand for 20 per cent in
crease in wages on piecework is denounced
as arbitrary, unreasonable and unjust"
The company contends that after making
all necessary allowance for different condl-
tions that the rate OF wages paid for the
mining OF anthracite coal is as high as that
paid in the bitumnous coal fields.
Third-The company denies that the pres
ent scale OF wages is lower than that paid
in other occupations in the same locality
and controlled by like conditions.
Says Earnings Are Not Less.
Fourth and Fifth--Mr. Baer denies th~t
the earnings OF the anthracite workers are
less than average earnings for other occu-
pations requiring skill and training and also
the charge that the earnings are insufficient
because of the dangerous character Of work
in the anthracite mines.
Sixth-The company AYERS that whilst the
specification is too general for specific an
swer, IL is true that the anthracite coal
regions are among the most prosperous in
the United States that employees OF tenn
perate and economic habits have saved
money and invested their savings in houses,
building associations and other property,
and that deposits in savings, state and ma
tional banks aggregating millions Of dollars
have been made by such employees; the
standard of living is equal TO that OF the
average American workmen. that the towns
and cities are better than any mining towns
In the bituminous coal fields of the United
States. The company denies the increased
cost OF living has made 1t impossible to
maintain a fair standard of life upon the
basis OF the present wages or from secur-
ing any benefit from increased prosperity
ind that the condition of the workmen is
poorer on account of it.
The company further denies that 1.-THE
children of the anthracite mine workers
ere prematurely forced into the breakers
and mills instead OF being supported and
educated upon the earnings of their par
Cnts because OF low wages, or that such
Wages are below the fair and just earnings
CT mine workers in this industry"
1t AYERS that the state of Pennsylvania
rnakes large annual appropriations tC
schools and the school districts levy loca
taxes for school purposes that textbook.
sre supplied from public funds and that tn,
Jaws provide for compulsory attendance a
public schools.
The means OF education provided by III,
state are not fully utilized because of thu
Aiailure OF the school boards to force com
tpulsory attendance, but the wages paid ar,
ample TO insure a good common school ed
ucation for all children In the coal region
pdesiring to attend school
No boys are employed in and about tn
mines and breakers in violation OF tn
statutes fixing the ages OF employment.
In addition to provisions for education
ample hospitals for the care of the sick an,
injured are maintained in the anthracite
region.
The company AYERS that there is not any
where else in the world a mining regiol
where the workmen have so many com
forts, facilities for education, general ad
Santages and such profitable employment.
strike Cost Money.
seventh--Ths company pronounces as un
5ust and unequitable the demand for q re
duction OF 20 per cent In hours Of labo
without a reduction OF earnings for tim
employees and this demand is pronounce
impractieable. In this connection the fol
lowing statement is made;
Because OF the injury TO the mines b
the strike Of the United Mine Workers, tn
Increased and a TEMPORARY advance IN uric
was made by this company, but IL will b
tmpraetieable 20 continue such increas
when mining operations become normal
Eighth-Mr. Baer says that his compan
has no disagreement with any of It's EN-
ployes about the weighing of coal, be
cause the quantity is usually determine
by measurement. and not by weight.
Ninth-Replying 10 the fourth deman
made by Mr.. Mitchell. Mr.. Baer says sine
IL the advent of the United Mine Workers
organization into the anthracite fields. busi
ness conditions there have been intolerable
that the output OF the mines has decrease
that discipline has been destroyed, thl
strikes have been of almost daily Occur
renee; that men have worked when an
as they pleased, and that the cost OF mir
ing has been greatly increased.
He also takes the position that the iuril
diction Of the commission is limited to n
conditions named by the coal compan
presidents, which excludes the United Mir
Workers from any recognition in the pro
needings.
He says. however that when a labS
Organization limited to anthracite mir
workers is created which shall obey Il
law, respect the right OF every man
work and honestly cooperate with emplo!
ers, trade agreements may become pral
Eeable."
Carroll d. Wright OF the Anthracite Co
commission has received the replies Of Il
six signatory parties representing the &C
operators to John Mitehell's statement
The rest OF the replies win be sent
Mr. Mitchell and made public tomorrow.
HAzLETON. Pa. Nov. 1.-The trouble
the Silverbrook oolliery Of Y. S. Wentz
Co, where the men refused TO return