Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-31
TAKES EFFECT NOV. |
Any Change Made in Wages
of Miners.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
GIVEN OUT BY THE ARBITRATION
COMMISSION.
Tbs Decision Will Greatly Facilitate
the Work Of the Board,
It is Said.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT

thracite strike commission has officially de-
cided that If any change is made in the
rate Of wages of the men 1t shall date from
tomorrow, November 1. This announcement
was made by the commission through Re-
corder Wright in the following brief state
ment, given out by him at 8 o'clock this
morning:
Voted, unanimously, that if the commits
sion, at the conclusion of its hearings and
deliberations, makes any award affecting
existing rates Of wages, such award shall
take effect from November 1, 1902
The recorder Of the commission stated
that this resolution was adopted by the
commission because 1t felt that 1t was i'm
portant to make it's Investigations deliber-
ately, and that 1t might be well, in order
to relieve itself from pressure from any
source which might cause undue haste, to
inform the operators and the miners that
should the investigation and the delibera-
tions following it warrant any change what
ever, either in the way of increase or re-
duction Of wages, such change should be
from certain date, thus enabling all par
ties to facilitate their calculations.
Will Save Much Time.
The action of the commission in taking
this step at this time will save the commits
sioners a lot of time. 1t is known that
determined stand on the question of when
"a, new rate of wages. if one IS made shall
& into effect. The operators in their origi-
tai proposition to President Roosevelt
;.anted the commission to fix the date
The miners wanted the prospective new
rate to be retroactive and go into effect on
the day when the miners returned to work,
which was a week ago yesterday-October
%. President Mitchell who was here over
night, left for Wilkesbarre today before
the announcement was made. 1t is not
known here what he thinks of the COM
missions action.
The program of the commission for to-
day calls for an inspection of the Man
Vile coliiery at Green Ridge, two miles
from this city, and drive through the
nearby territory for the purpose of view
Ing the habitations of the men who toll
in the mines. The commissioners expect to
complete their inspection OF this region
this afternoon and go to Wilkesbarre to-
morrow morning.
Members UP Early.
The members of the party were up early
today and ready for another hard days
work. They left the hotel soon after the
arrival of Commissioner T. H. Watkins,
whose home is in this city. Mr.. Watkins,
ewing to his intimate knowledge of min
ing in this region, is the guiding spirit of
the party He arranged Yesterdays trip
and has general charge of todays tour.
Ill this he Is assisted by the superintend
ents of the companies located in this vi
cinity and also by President Nichols of
District No. Miners Union.
The Manville, which was inspected today,
is operated jointly by the Delaware and
Hudson and the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western companies. The mine is one
Of the worst for the miners in this ter
ritory. The veins are small and there
is barely room enough for workmen to
stand up. This colliery was visited at the
suggestion of the mine workers represen-
tatives.
Two Hours and Half in Mine.
The commissioners inspected three breasts
and were in the mine two hours and half.
The first breast was 900 feet from the
foot of the shaft and the commissioners
had TO walk along in a STOPPING position
owing to the low roof. 1t was extremely
tiresome for those unaccustomed to the
mine.
At the face of the breast a miner and his
helper were found. Some of the commits
sion piled the two men with all sorts of
questions. The miner said he was able to
get out four or five cars day; told how
much he made, and gave other information
to the commissioners.
Judge Gray was so fatigued by walking
In bent-over position for an hour that he
decided to go to the surface. He was
hoisted to the top with Bishop Spalding
Gen. Wilson was the most aggressive of
the commissioners in seeking informa ton
He did not appear to mind the physical
discomfitures and went wherever he was
asked. He asked many questions of both
the company officials and of the miners
and their representative, and usually got
answers to questions from both sides that
were at variance with each othe. Com
missioners Clark and Parker also piled the
miners with many questions. The commits
sion returned to the Hotel Jermyn at l
o'clock.
Return of President Mitchell,
WILKESBARRE, Pa. October 31-Pres-
dent Mitchell returned from Scranton today.
He said his visit there had no significance
The chief officer of the miners union and his
attorneys were in conference the greater
part of the dag. Mr.. Mitchell proposes to
have everything in readiness for presenta-
tion to the investigation commission when
called upon.
The 9th Regiment broke camp at noon.
Before the various companies dispersed for
their homes a street parade of the entire
regiment was given.