The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-13
THE NINE OWNERS
MAKE GAME FIGHT.
They Resist Every Effort Of the
Workmen.
FIVE REPLIES ARE FILED
they All Deal With The Various Ques,
uons Before the Commission Viii,
Marked Unanin'ity Fow.
er's Denunciation.
(By Associated Prcss.j

WASHINGTON, November l2.-That the
anthracite coal mine owners Will resist to
the utmost every effort to make the re-
cognition of the United Mine Workers of
America an Issue in the arbitration, which
Is now in progress. is made evident by the
replies TO the statement of President John
Mitchell. of the miners organization.
which have been filed with the strike COM
mission. There are five OF these answers
in addition to that OF President Bacr.
which was given out yesterday. and all
Gwelt with especial emphasis and marked
unanimity on this point. They also agree
In resisting the demands Of the miners for
on increase OF pay for piece work, re-
GuctiGn of hours for time work, and for
the weighing rather than the measure
ment Of coal.
Recorder Wright left for the anthracite
regions to-day, taking these replies with
him. In addition to the statement made
Tor the Reading Company by President
Baer, the list comprises the replies OF
the Delaware and Hudson Company the
Delaware and Lackawan,5a. the 1ehigh
s. Valley. the Pennsylvania and the Scran-
ton Coal Company The reply for the
Delaware and Lacka wanna Company
signed by w. ii. Truesdale. says:
This company asserts that 1t will un-
Ger no condition recognize or enter into
snr agreement with the association knows
rs the United Mine Workers Of Anerica.
or any branch thereof. Nor will 1t pel1.oit
said association or its officers to dictate
the terms and conditions under which it
Thall conduct its business
referring to the recent strike. Mr. Trres-
Snle says that he is reliably informed that
eighty per cent. Of Its employees were op-
rcsed to the strike, but were forced to
eI.ter upon It by a majority vote Of the
Ia!nc workers in other fields.
WE'RE PROSPEROUS.
Mr.. Truesdaie follows closely the lines
Of Mr. Baer's argument as to dissi,ni-
1aritE between the work il, the anthra-
cite mines and that in bituminous mines
He declares that 1t is Impossible to adopt
& uniform rate to he paid to the miner
for a unit OF coal mined at all r7ines.
The declaration is also made that the
anthracite miners as rule do not work
as many hours day as do the blum
nous miners, and the opinion is advanced
that II the wages of the anthracite min.
ers had been less than that Of other
worl,ing1nen they would haze found en-
ployment elsewhere, which they did not
do On the point Of general prosperity
he says that Prior TO the Introduction
of aEitators and i17ischief-makers. the
enthracite workers were on an average
ed ne any body OF workers. in similar
employment In this country"
The wages, it is added. are such that
frugal employees have saved a sulostan-
ttal amount every year. Mr.. Truesdale
resists the demand for a reduction of 20
per cent. IN hours of labor saving that
no such branch OF business employing
thousands Of men can hope to compete
successfully in the markets of the world
II its hours OF labor are restricted He
declares that there IS no unjust dis
elimination in the weighing OF coal. as
It is measured rather than weighed. and
he asserts that the demand is tout OF
all reason and its effect, so far as this
company IS concerned is IA demand for
an additional increase in the wages now
paid miners OF from five to forty per
cent
THE MEASUREMENT.
The present method Of measurement IS.
declared to be the result of long usage
and fair to all concerned.
President Oliphant. OF the Delaware and
Hudson Company. In his reply declares
that the wages paid by his coicnany are
.nst and adequate. He also says that
those Of its employees who perform COIL
tract or piece work as a matter CT their
own volition. work only about six hours
day and take numerous holidays, with
out the consent or approval Of this re-
epondent. and their earnings. Ivy hours
Of actual work are therefore much high
or than those in any similar employ
Ii.rt.
Denial is made of all the allegations in
connection with the demand for shorter
hours. and 1t Is contended that such
reduction necessarily would increase the
.rice OF coal. While admitting that the
mine owners sell their coal by the ton,
nc says that the coal thus sold is a very
different article fro.. that taken out of
the mine. Hence ne contends against the
change from the present system Of pay
Event TO that OF paying by the ton.
President Oliphant also takes exception
TO the proposition to arhitsate the cues
I'm OF the recognition OF the miners
r,.,on. This position is placed Oh :he
ground that the organization seeks TO con-