The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-12
Avoids Reference to Mitchell
as President.
AND HE EABUSESTHEU UNION
He Declares That Since the Advent of This
Organization Into the Anthracite Re-
gions Business Conditions Have
Become lntoIerable.
Become IntoIerab!e.
(By the Associated Press

Washington, ID. c., Nov. 1.-THE reply
OF President George F. Baer of the Phil
adelphia and Reading Coal Company, to
the charges Of President Mitchell. of the
United Mine Workers, which has been
presented to the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission, was today given to the pub
lie. Mr.. Baer makes no reference to Mr..
Mitchell as the president of the miners
organization, but refers to him simply
as an individual. Taking up the specif-
cations N Mr.. Mitchell's charge seriatim,
Mr.. Bacr first admits that his company
owns thirty-seven collieries and that be-
fore the strike it employed 26829 people.
Following Is brief summary of the re-
sponse to Mr.. Mitchells other specih-
cations
Second.-The demand for 20 per cent in.
crease in wages on piece work is de-
nounced as arbitrary unreasonable and
unjust" The company contends that af-
ter making all necessary allowance for
different conditions that the rate of wages
paid for the mining of anthracite coal
is as hign 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 To-
cality and controlled by like conditions
Fourth and Fifth.-Mr. Baer denies
that the earnings of the anthracite work
ers are less than average earnings for
other occupations requiring skill and
training and also the charge that the
earnings are insufficient because Of the
dangerous character of work in the an
thracite 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 anthracite regions are
among the most prosperous in the United
States.
Seventh.-The company pronounces as
unjust and inequitable the demand for a
reduction of 20 per cent in hours of Ia
Dor without a reduction of earnings for
time employees, and this demand is pro-
nounced impracticable. In this connection
the following statement 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 a temporary ad-
vance in price was made by this com
pany, but it will be impracticable to con-
tinue such increase when mining opera
tions become normal"
Eighth.-Mr. Baer says that his COM
pany has no disagreement with any OF it's
employees about the weighing of coal,
because the quantity is usually determ-
ined by measurement and not by weight
Ninth.-Replying to the fourth demand
by Mitchell, Mr.. Baer says since the ad-
vent OF the United Mine Workers organi-
cation into the anthracite fields, business
conditions there have been lntolerable; ;
that the output of the mines has de-
creased; that discipline has been de-
stroyed; that strikes have been Of al
most daily occurrence; that men have
worked when and as they please; and
that the cost of mining has been greatly
increased He takes the position that
the jurisdiction of the commission is limi-
ted to the conditions named by the coal
company president, while he excludes the
United Mine Workers from any recOgni
tion in the proceedings. He says how
ever, that when a labor organization
limited to anthracite mine workers is
created witch shall obey the law, respect
the right of every man to work, and
honestly cooperate with employers, trade
agreement may become practicable.