Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-10-28
Judge Gray Suggests Experts Examine
Company Records ofBOiany.
TESTIMONY TO Be HEARD NEAR MINES
Both Men and Operators Agres that This
viii Be Best Plan.
BAER OBJECTS TO UNION REPRESENTATIVE
Says United workers Cannot Appear,
TbouEb Anthracite Men Can send
who They Like and Position
f. TacitIy Accepted.

4 WASHINGTON. oct a7-The anthracite
coal strike commission held its hrst sit
ting today. Both operators and miners
were present
The proceedings lasted two hours. dur
ing the whole Of which time methods Of
procedure were discussed. On Thursday
morning the mines and the homes Of the
miners viii be examined.
There was considerable discussion ever q
proposition to have expert accountants
audit the statements Of wages and clRssi
ncation Of miners. the operators are to
make for the commission, but no decision
was reached on this point.
Mr.. Mitchell. presented q copy Of the
original demands formulated by the
shamolin convention. as follows:
/ An Increase Of 20 per cent in wages Of
those moi engaged by the day.
reduction Of 20 per cent in hours OF
those engaged BY the day.
8 Payment for coal mined by weight
e. minimum rate Of 80 cents per ton Of
u < wage agreement between the opera
tors and the miners for an adjustment OF
Baer objects 20 Mitchell.
Mr.. Baer took exception to Mr.. Mitchelrs
appearance as a representative OF the
Mine Workers union. but had no objection
20 his presence as q representative Of the
strikers In their individual capacity The
commission made no attempt to settle the
controversy then. but IL was apparent the
recognition Of the union viii form q knotty
problsm before the commission adjourns.
II was agreed that Mr.. Mitchell should
nle with the commission next Monday
detailed statement Of the claims of the
miners. The statement he read today
was preliminary statement OF the case.
The representative OF the operators an
nounced that they would file an answer
10 the statement TO be fled by Mr.. Mitch
ell on Monday. within three days Of that
time.
Mr.. Mitchell sale It would facilitate mat
ters n q general statement on the issues
Affecting all the companies and the mine
workers, for instance. the question OF hours
was Acceptsd-
Mr.. Truesdale said that hia naznpaay
had plan TO spnedily ADJUST the differ
ences- Hes wanted 1he miners to appoint a
commission 10 meet a COMMITTEES Of his
company and discuss their grievances and
81 there were any that could not be set
tied these should so before the commits
sion for arbitration.
The suggestion that both sides appoint
experts to examine the books Of the com
panies was made by Judge Gray He said
that tabulated statements relating to ex-
listing rates OF wages be taken from the
books OF the operators by two expert ac-
cOuntznts. one named by each party, such
accountants to be employees OF the CON-
mission.
Mr. Baer. after expressing his disinclina-
tion to accept the suggestion, said his
company would submit their psyrolIs under
oath.
They now had seventy clerks working
day and night compiling data for the COM
mission
DR.. weyl. for the miners, said n the
suggestion was accepted Mr.. Mitchell and
himself would not present the statistics
they had prepared. because those figures
were not as full As they would be IL taken
from the companies books
President Baer. however. thought these
would be a check upon the companies
payrolls and should be presented
a Judge Gray expressed the opinion that
4 81 would be criminal waste OF time to dis
pute facts that could be aseertsined-
Where once ascertained," said he.
their Interpretation h another thing"
After further controversy audge Gray
modified his suggestion proposing that only
one expert accountant be appointed. who
should snalyze the statements made BY
both sides and verify the facts.
Mr. Baer promptly accepted and Mr..
Mitchell followed suit, saying the plan
was not entirely in accord with the wishes
Of the mixers. who were anxious to avoid
all controversy a. 10 the Interpretation oi
figures
Judss Gray then announced that the
commission would proceed without an e1-
pert. but II would require statements and
then An accountant could be secured II
necessary.
Raer wants sIidinE Scale
Pending the discussion Of the appointment
Of auditors Mr.. BAaF said the operators
would be prepared 20 meet the miners IN
the region and assist in giving all informa-
ton
He also promised 10 contend for a sliding
scale IN the rsgula ton Of wages.
I shall urge the adoption Of that profit.
sharing plan be said. which gave nj
peace formerly in our relations 70 oul
employees"
The question Of the examination into tn,
conditions nnder which anthracite is minet
WAS then entered upon. and Mr.. Watkins
suggested that q week or ten days wOult
Be necessary 10 make an examination Of III,
ph, steal conditions Of the mines.
Mr. Baer fen IN With the suggestion
saying Il would be impossible TO do justio'
10 the investigation without q physical In
Epection OF the mines and the methods Q
soperating them
Mr.. Mitchell thought that there shout
also be an examination Of the miners
homes.
After consulting his fellow member
Judge Gray announced the inspection w0ul
begin next Thursday al Scranton and Will
no conclusion vas reached. conversation
among the members Of the commission indi
ostsd that Il is their purpose 70 investigate
mining operations In a number Of mines
. The public meeting OF the commission
a hen came 10 q close and the commissioner
rssired for private consultation. They mrs
took up an ofer by Mr.. baer of a specia
train and decided not 20 accept as the
expect 20 pay all their expenses. Aoeeptin