New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-12
BAER ANSWERS MITCHELL.
MINERS DEMANDS CALLED UNREA-
SoNABLE AND ARBITRARY.

Washington. Nov. 1.-THE reply Of George F.
Baer, president Of the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal Company. to the charges OF President Mitchell
OF the United Mine Workers. which has been pre-
sented 70 the anthracite coal strike commission
was made public to-day. Mr.. Baer makes refer
ence TO Mr. Mitchell the president of the miners
organization. but refers 20 him simply indi-
NouaL Taking up the specifications in Mr. Mitch
elfs charges seriatim. mfr Baer first admits that
MS company owns thirty-seven collisries and that
before the strike employed 26s29 people. Following
Is a summary of the response to Mr.. Mitcheli's
other specifications:
Second-The demand for 20 per cent increase In
wages on piecework is denounced as arbitrary
unreasonable and unjust" The company contends
that. after making all necessary allowance for
different conditions the rate of wages paid for the
mining of anthracite is high that paid in the
btuminous coal fields.
Ihird-The company denies that the present rate
OF wages is lower is paid in other occupa lions
In the same locality and controlled by like coudi-
lions.
Fourth and ffth-Mr Baer denies that the earn
inss Of the anthracite workers less than aver
age earnings IN other occupations requiring skill
ana training, and also the charge that the earnings
are insufficient because OF the dangerous character
OF work in the anthracite mines
sixth-This specification made by Mr.. Mitchell is
referred TO as too vague for specific answer. but
IN general way It is said that the anthracite re-
Rlons are among the most prosperous in the United
States
equitable the demand for a reduction 20 per cent
IN hours of labor without reduction of earnings
Tor time employees. and this demand is declared i'm
practicable. In connection with this point the fol-
lowing statement is made
because of the injury TO the mines by the strike
OF tne United Mine Workers the cost of producing
coal has been greatly increased, and a temporary
ADVANCE in price was made by this company, but
II Will be impracticable to continue such increase
When mining operations become normal
Eighth-Mr Baer says that his company 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.
Nlnth- teplyinR To the fourth demand made by
MI Mitchell Nh BaeT says that since the advent
NI the lntte'l Mine Workers organization into the
anthracite fields business conditions there have
pt"n lntolera bic. that the OF the mines de
creased: that discipline has been destroyed that
strikes have been of almost daily occurrence; that
that the Cust OF mining has been greatly increased
lie also takes the position that the jurisdiction OF
The commission is limited 10 the conditions named
nN lI@ coal company presidents, which excludes
the United Mine Workers from any recognition in
The proceedings. lie says, however, that when a
LABOR organization limited to anthracite mine work
ers is created which shall obey the Law. respect the
night Of every man to work and honestly cooperate
with employers, trade agreements may become
practice bic.
Carroll Il. Wright has received the replies of the
six signatory parties repre- senting the coal oper
ators to the statement Of John Mitchell filed With
the commission. These replies will be MIR
Mitchell and made public tomorrow. except that
OF President Baer. made public to-day