The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-11-18
COMMISSION HAS BEGUN THE
INVESTIGATION.
MITCHELL MAKES ADDRESS
In Behalf of the Toilers in the Anthra-
cite Coal Fields-PIea for
the Children.

arbitrate the difficulties existing be-
tween the anthracite mine workers
and their employees began today. the
hearing of the miners side of the
case. After the workmen have con-
cluded their case the operators will
make their statement. About two
weeks will be taken up in hearing
both sides. The hearings are being
held in the chamber of the state SUI
preme court. The arrangements are
admirable, and it is likely that the
commission will hear all the evidence
in this city. AS early as 9 o'clock
the corridors were crowded with peo-
pie of all classes and conditions, eag-
er to gain admittance. Only a few
Of them, however, got through the
door, as almost every seat was &C.
cupied by general superintendent of
mining companies and representa-
tives of the mine workers.
The proceedings opened shortly af-
ter 10 o'clock, when Judge Gray an
nounced that the commission would
hear the representatives of the min
ers first. ....
Mr.. Mitchell said he would file a
further statement on Monday in an
swer to some of the allegations of the
operators.
John L. Lenahan of Wilkesbarre,
on behalf of the non-union miners,
inquired of the commission what
course the proceedings would take
with respect to them.
Judge Gray answered that that was
a question which would have to be
considered.
Mr.. Wolverton asked the other side
to give the operators at least one days
notice indicating the collieries from
which employees would be called as
witnesses. SO that the mine
can be prepared to examine them.
MI. barrow agreed to the suggestion.
President Mitchell arose and ad-
dressed the commission. His state
ment contained six thousand words.
Statement for Miners.
Mr.. Mitchell prefaced his statement
with the hope that the commission
would succeed in establishing a rela-
tionship between the operators and
the miners that will insure peace and
stability in the industry for an indefi-
mands for increased pay for the min
ed, a shorter work day for the laborer,
the weighing Of the coal and an in
dustrial agreement, the refusal of all
of which led to the strike, Mr.. Mitch
ell spoke on all the subjects in
controversy between the men and the
mine owners concluding with the fol
lowing plea for the children:
Our little boys should not be fore
early in life; our little girls should
not be compelled to work in the mills
and factories at an age when they
should be at school. These children
are the future citizens of our nation;
their parents should be enabled to
earn wages sufficiently high to give
them at least a common school educa-
ton, so as to equip them to bear the
grave responsibilities that will ulti
mately devolve upon them. The
wealth and the future of the nation
are not to be measured By it's palaces
and ~millionaires, but rather by the
enlightened contentment and prosper
ity of it's millions of citizens who con-
stitute the bone and sinew of our
land"
Responding to a question by Judge
Gray, Mr.. Darrow said the miners
would at the outset put ON some wit
nesses and that he would call Mr..
Mitchell first. 1t vas agreed that all
witnesses should be put under oath.
Mr.. Mitchell was then sworn. He
said that 80 per cent of the anthra-
cite miners are members of the un-
ion and that the president or execu-
tive board never ordered a strike
except upon the affirmative vote of
the miners themselves.
Responding to several questions,
MI. Mitchell explained the relations
between the union and the bituminous
operators and said that by reason of
the contracts entered into by them
there had been no strikes. Where no
contracts were made, he said, there
had been strikes of considerable mag
nitude. Through the amicable rela-
lions with the bituminous operators,
Mr.. Mitchell said, wages had been
increased since 1898 an average OF so
=. oor% ,~1 <bof fhoro had hlpn q re-