The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-28
Declaration Of shamo<in Convention
Presented by Mr.. Mitchell as Ba-
sl. of Miners Demands.
REBUFF FOR THE OPERATORS
Appearance Of Mr. Mitchell as Repre-
sentative Of Miners Union Oh
jected to by Mr.. Baer.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 27-The anthracite
coal strike commission to-day in the hear
ing room OF the Interstate-commerce Com
mission, held its first conference with the
parties to the controversy in the anthra-
cite regions. There was full representa-
tion Of both operators and miners and men,
bers OF the press and a number of other
interested parties were present. The COM
mission occupied the elevated seats gen.
orally filled by members of the Interstate
commerce Commission, Judge Gray,
president. occupying the center, and Messrs
Wright. Watkins and Clark the seats to
the right of him in the order named. while
General Wilson. Bishop spalding and Mr.
Parker sat on the left in the order of their
names. The proceedings covered about two
hours time and were given up entirely to
a discussion OF the time and method of
proceeding with the proposed investigation
The committee decided to begin its work
next Thursday morning at Q o'clock, the
first days of the investigation to be de-
voted to a physical examination of the
mines and the homes of the miners, start
ing in the vicinity of Scranton. The entire
anthracite field will be covered. There was
considerable discussion over a proposition
made by the commission to have expert ac-
countants appointed to audit the state
ments of wages and classification OF miners
to be made by the operators for the use of
the commission. but no result was reached
en- this point beyond the announcement by
the chairman Of the commissions inten-
tion to appoint such an accountant in case
his services should be found necessary.
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 formulated
by the shamokin convention the basis
OF the demands of the miners. This de-
mand is. first. for an increase of 20 per
cent. in wages of those not engaged by
the day; second. a reduction Of 20 per cent.
in working hours of those engaged by the
day; third. the payment for coal mined
by weight at a minimum rate Of so cents
per ton of 2.24O pounds: fourth. a wage
agreement between the operators and the
miners for an adjustment of wages.
BAER OBJECTS TO MITCHELL.
Mr. Baer, on the part of the coal oper-
ators took exceptions to Mr.. Mitchelrs
appearance before the commission
representative Of the mine workers union,
but said that he had no objection to his
presence as a representative Of the strikers
as such In their individual capacity. The
committee made attempt to settle the
controversy. but II was made apparent that
the recognition OF the miners union will
be an important and knotty problem for
the arbitrators.
II was agreed that Mr.. Mitchell should
file with the commissioners next Monday
detailed statement of the claims of the
miners. The statement ne read to-day was
preliminary one The representatives of
the operators announced that they would
file an answer to the statement TO be filed
by Mr.. Mitchell Monday within three
days OF that time.
Preceding the discussion Mr. Baer said
the operators would be prepared to meet
the miners in the region and to assist in
giving all information.
Many OF the Individual operators are not
represented and they were not consulted
and were not compromised by the letter
he had written. Judge Gray suggested that
they could be represented. AT the meeting
next Monday they would determine which
OF the companies would be taken up first
and the place OF meeting could oe deter
mined by the location OF the coal company
taken up.
Mr.. Baer made a point of saying that the
case of each coal company would be dealt
with separately. He would contend for the
81 shall urge the adoption OF that profit
sharing plan" he said. which gave us
peace formerly in our relations with our
employees"
Mr. Thomas. of the Hillside Iron and Coal
Company and the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany. said he noticed that the word ''arbi-
tration'' had been applied 20 the commits
sion's work, while he wanted it consid-
cred as an investigation.
Judge Gray said the Presidents instruc-
tions settled that an arbitration.
Mr. Thomas also urged that the condi-
tions in each of the mining companies were
different and could only be considered sep
arately. He thought more progress could
be made by a physical examination of the
coal region. He thought that many of
the interests involved in the controversy
were represented in New York. some of the
hearings should be held In that city.
EXPERTS OPPOSED BY BAER.
The suggestion that both sides appoint
experts to examine the books OF the COM
panies made by Judge Gray chairman
OF the commission. He said IL would be a
good plan for the different interests to
agree that the tabulated statements rela-
tive to the existing rate of wages in the
different localities of the mining region be
taken from the books of the operators by
two expert accountants. one TO be named
by each party, such accountants TO be en-
ployed by the commission. Mr.. Baer. after
expressing his disinclination TO accept this
suggestion, said that his company would
subr,it their pay rolls under oath of their
accountant. He said they now had seventy
clerks who working day and night in
compiling data for the commission.
President Mitchell said that IL would ia
cfiitate the work OF the commission II IL
would accept a general statement on those
issues that affect all the companies and the
nine workers alike; for instance, the que s.
ti0,, OF shorter hours.
wr TruesdaIe said that his company had
"A plan BY which IL was hoped 10 speedily
ad1ugt the differences between his company
e,e 20 appoint committee tc meet COM
, .-ittee of his company and discuss their