The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-31
Arbitration Strike Commission
Votes Unanimously
On Date for Increase of Miners
Wages to Begin.
FIXES NOVEMBER
Programme for T0day's Work
Of Investigation
Included the Worst Mine in the
Region for Miners.

cite strike commission has officially de-
cided that if any change is made in the
rate of wages of the men it shall date
from tomorrow, November l. This an
nOuncement was made by the commits
sion through Recorder Wright in the
following brief statement given out by
him this morning:
Voted unanimously that if the COM
mission at the conclusion of its hearings
and deliberations, makes any award ar
fccting existing rates of wages, such
award shall take effect from November
i, 1902
The recorder of the commission stated
that this resolution was adopted by the
commission because it felt that it was
important to make its decision
promptly.
The action of the commission in TAX
ing this step at this time will save the
commissioners a lot of time. 1t is known
that each side to the controversy would
take q determined stand on the question
is made, shall go into effect. The oper-
atOrS in their original proposition to
President Roosevelt wanted the com
mission to fix the date. The miners
retroactive and go into effect on the day
when the miners returned to work,
which was a week ago yesterday, OctO-
ber %. President Mitchell, who was
here last night, left for Wilkesbarre to-
day before the announcement was made.
1t is not known here what he thinks of
the commissions action.
TODAY'S PROGRAMME.
The programme of the strike commits
sion for today calls for an inspection of
the Manville colliery at Green Ridge
two miles from this city. and a drive
through the nearby territory for the pur-
pose of viewing the habitations of the
men who toll in the mines The COM
missioners expect to complete their in
spection of this region this afternoon,
and go to Wilkesbarre tomorrow morn
ing
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 E. H.
Watkins, whose home is in this city.
Mr. Watkins. owing to his intimate
knowledge of mining in this region. is
the guiding spirit of the party. He
arranged yesterdays trip and has gen
eral charge of today's tour. In this he
is assisted by the superintendents of the
companies located in this vicinity and
also by President Nichols of district
No. of the miners union. The Man
vile mine which was inspected today,
is operated jointly by the Delaware &
Hudson and the DelaNar LackaWanna
&c Western companies. The mine is one
of the worst for miners in this territory.
The veins ara small. and there is bare
ly room enough for workmen to stand
up. This colliery was visited at the suS-
gestion of the mine workers reDresen-
tatives.
tel at e:20 o'clock and drove to the
Manville mine. After donning suitable
clothing the party proceeded under
ground
Accompanying the commissioners
were Assistant Recorders Moseley and
Neill. General Superintendent Rose of
the Delaware & Hudson and General
Superintendent Phillips of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western, which COM
panies operate the Manville colliery on
alternate months; District President
Nichols of the United Mine Workers; P.
w Tolan. president of the Manville Lo-
cal of the United Mine Workers; Will
lam Watkins, foreman of the mine.
| Commissioner Wright did not go into
the mine, but returned to the hotel to
| look after correspondence.
The Manville shaft is 460 feet deep.
4 The conditions at this colliery are claim
ed to be the worst in the Scranton re-
gion, the veins averaging less than three
feet in thickness. The mine has been in
operation % years and is built in the old
style this is, the breaker is directly
over the shaft instead of being 200 feet
away from the mouth of the opening
as the law now requires
MITCHELL RETURNS
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 31.-President
Mitchell returned from Scranton today
He said his visit there had no signih-
cance The chief officer of the miners
union and bis attorneys were in confer
ence for the greater part of the day
Mr. Mitchell proposes to have everything
in readiness for presentation to the
commission when called upon.