Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-12-06
ONE DRESS IN EIGHT YEARS
Minors Wife Tells Of Life in An
thracite Region.
MORE PROGRESS IS WANTED
Commissioners Hope Miners and Operators
May Agree on Some Points--Two
Workers Testify.

has seven children, testified yesterday
before the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission regarding living condi-
tions. She said she had not had new
dress in eight years, and that some
times she did not know how much
money her husband earned.
"It was 50 small and went SO quick
| " did not have time to count it, I"
she said
| The money earned bv her husband
was not sufficient to keep her family
of seven children in good health. she
declared. The older children were
compelledsto make their own living.
the daughters being sent to New York,
after working among neighbors and on
farms in Pennsylvania. Her husband
is employed by the Coke Bros. Com
pany, and lives at Derringer. in the
Hazelton region.
Six witnesses were on the stand dur
ing the two sessions. They were Pres
ident John Mitchell, of the United
Mine Workers; two photographers
two practical miners and Mrs. Boland.
K When the commission resumed its
hearings Chairman George Gray ex-
pressed the hope that efforts would be
made by both sides to agree on as
many points as possible. He added
that the commission wish to say that
D arties to the controversy may not
withdraw without the consent of the
other parties before the commission.
COMMISSIONERS IMPATIENT
The commissioners at times were
seemingly impatient at the way the
proceedings dragged. They are anx-
ious for the documentary evidence,
such as wage statements and other da-
ia bearing on wages and conditions.
This was strongly evidenced when
they eagerly seized upon the due bills
handed mp by the Hungarian witness.
Every member of the commission eX-
amined these and had questions to ask
about them.
One of the commissioners said that
it was principally a question of wages.
and they wanted these facts as quick
~ as they can get them. In this con-
nection there was considerable discus
sin between the ATTORNEYS for all sides
and the commission regarding the doc
umentary evidence. Both parties to
/ ha1 ocFfaaH fC ft.x~ 70
agree as far as possible on summary
of the great mass of figures that the
hundreds of accountants for the diff
erent companies are committing, but
the task is such a stupendous one, TAX
ing in as it does about AS, 600 men
and boys, that neither side is yet rea-
dy to 90 back into that feature of the
investigation.
The commission decided to give all
companies who have not yet become q
party to the arbitration commission
until 10 O'Clock A. NJ. today to file
their answer to President Mitchell S
original statement of the miners
case.
MITCHELL ON SELLING PRICES.
Mr. Mitchell was called to show
that 20 per cent. increase in wages
did not mean a corresponding increase
in the price per ton of coal He testi-
fed that 20 per cont, increase in wa
ges would increase the labor cost less
than 10 cents a ton. Taking President
Baer's statement as a basis, be said
the increase would bo about ~ cents
a ton. In reply. TO @ question Mr.
! Mitchell said the companies were not
averse to increasing the wages of Che
men. but did not do so because they
were opposed 10 the union.
The photographers produced about
so photographs thew had taken of the
homes Of mineworkres in Che Hazle-
ton region which territory was under
investigation
MINER TELLS HIS STORY