Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-10-31
TO VISIT COAL FIELD
ARBITRATION COMMISSION IN
TENDS TO EXAMINE MINES ::
AND MINERS HOMES.
Scranton District the First to Be Wis.
lied by the Rody-President Baer
Takes Exception to Mr.. MitcheII!s
Appearing as Representative Of
the Miners 49, Commission Declines
,, 49,. -
His Offer Of a Specia! Train.
His Offer Of a Specia! Train.

Ills OTer OF a Specla! Train.
Washington, Oct. 2S.-The anthra-
cite strike commission during the day
III the hearing room Of the interstate
commerce commission held it's first
conference with the parties to the
anthracite controversy. There was a
representation Of both operators and
miners and members OF the press and
numerous other persons were present
The seats available were filled by
members of the strike aud Interstate
commerce commission, Justice Gray,
as chairman, occupying the center,
and Messrs.. Clark and Wright the
seats to the right of h:-2a in the order
named. Bishop Spalding and Mr..
Parker sat on the left in the order
named. The conference took about
two hours time and was given up en-
tlrely to a discussion of the time and
method Of proceeding with the pro-
posed Investigation.
The commission decided to begin
it's work next Thursday morning at 8
O'Clock, the first days Of the investiga-
ton to be devoted to a physical ex-
animation of the mines and homes of
the miners, starting in the vicinity OF
Scranton. The anthracite field will
be covered. There was considerable
discussion over proposition made by.
the commission to have expert &C.
countants appointed to audit the
standard and wages and classification
OF miners to be made by the operators
tor the use OF the commission, but no
result was reached on this point be-
You'd the announcement by the chair
man OF the commissions intention to
appoint such an accountant in case
his services should be found neces-
sary
During the progress of the meeting,
Mr.. Mitchell, as the representative of
the miners, presented a copy of the
original declaration of the miners as
forwarded by the Shamokin conven-
ton, as the basis of the
Demands Of the Miners.
This demand is, first, for an increase
OF 20 per cent in wages of those not
engaged by the day; second, reduc-
! ton of 20 per cent in working hours
Of those engaged by the day; third,
the payment for coal miners by
weight at minimum rate of 60 cents
per ton of 2,24O pounds; fourth, a
| wage agreement between the opera
tors and miners for an adjustment of
wages.
Mr.. Baer, on the part of the coal
operators, took exception to Mr.
Mitchell's appearance before the COM
mission as a representative of the
| mine workers. union, but said he had
no objection to his presence as a rep
rescntative of the strikers as such in
an individual capacity
The commission made no attempt to
settle the point, but it was apparent
the question of recognition of the
| union would be an important and
knctty point to the arb:trators.
Before adjourning it was agreed that
! the operators should submit sworn
statements of their payrolls, etc., and
| that Mr.. Mitchell should have an oD-
portunity Of verifying them through
| the miners. If discrepancies were
found, it was agreed that the commits
! sion should appoint an auditor whose
! findings should govern the board
While the commission was in ses-
sion the mine operators proposed to
| place a 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.