The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-10-30

W. H. Truesdale, president of the Del
aware, Lackawanna and Western;
David Wilcox, vice president of tie
Delaware and Hudson; John B. Herr,
vice president of the Scranton Coal
company and Elk Hill Coal and Iron
company; J. H. Torrey, attorney for
the Delaware and Hudson, and Francis
L. Gowan. attorney for the Lehigh
Valley company. =
On opening the proceedings Judge
Gray, the president of the commission,
read the order of the president Great
ing the commission and in a general
way outlined the procedure to be fol-
lowed in the presentation of the issues.
He stated that in accordance with the
immemorialR practice among English
speaking peoples the commission
would first receive the statements or
demands of the miners, who were to be
regarded for the purposes of this case
as the prosecutors. The reply of the
other side would then be heard, Judge
Gray said, in order that the commits
sion might have before it definite is
sue. At the conclusion of Judge Gray's
L
he had with him the formal demands
made by the miners upon the operators
and at the suggestion of Judge Gray
he read the statement of the miners
demands adopted by the Shamokin
convention, the rejection of which re-
suited in the strike.
Baer Makes a Protest.
President Baer objected to the ap-
pearance of Mr.. Mitchell as represen-
America, but said he had no objection
to offer against Mr.. Mitchells appear
ance as representative of the anthra-
cite coal miners generally. Mr.. Baer's
object was to avoid the recognition of
the mine workers union as an order.
Mr.. Mitchell replied that the objec-
tons raised as to his status were not
involved in the case. He said that he
appeared as a representative of the
anthracite coal miners and distinctly
refrained in his reply from mentioning
the union.
Presidents Baer and Thomas sug-
gested to the commission that it pro-
coed at once to the coal fields in order
that it might be informed at the outset
as to conditions there.
1t was agreed that Mr.. Mitchell
should file with the commission next
Monday a detailed statement of the
claims of the miners. The statement
he read during the day was a prelim-
mary statement of the case. The rep
resentatives of the operators an
nounced that they would file an an
swer thereto within three days of that
time. It was suggested that each side
to the controversy appoint an expert
to go through the books of the coal
companies for the purpose of securing
data upon which to work but President
Baer and other representatives of the
companies Immediately objected and
suggested that they would furnish
whatever information is needed. This
question precipitated long discussion
in which the coal president and the
miners representa- took part.
Before adjourning it was agreed that
the operators should submit sworn
statements of their payrolls, etc.; and
that Mr.. Mitchell should have an op-
portunity of verifying them through
the miners. If discrepancies were
found, it was agreed that the commits
SON should appoint an auditor whose
findings should govern the board.
While the commission was in ses-
sion the mine operators proposed to
place special train at the disposal of
the commission if it was decided to
visit the mines. After adjournment
the commission in executive session
decided to reject this offer of the op-
orators.
The commission adjourned at $40
to meet in Scranton next Thursday
morning.