The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-16
CASTRO,S BUSY DAY.
HARD WORK FOR IT7IF TOTS
Strike Commission Mortified Learn That Girls of Tender Age Are
Compelled to Work Nights in the An
.hracte Region

Scranton, Pa, Dec. f5.-It was an
nounced by the coal strike commission
at the opening of its hearing today that
when Ii adjourns for the holidays.
probably on Saturday, it will be to meet
in Philadelphia on the first Monday in
january This decision, however, can
be changed by developments this week
Before proceeding to the hearing of
Witnesses Chairman Gray informed the
attorneys that the commission had pre-
pared a certain formula which indi-
Gates the further information he de-
sired. He also asked the operators to
expedite the presentation of the state
ment containing the wages paid the
miners and the hours worked. He SAID
the hardest work for the commission is
still TO come, and the commissioners
would like to begin their study of fig
ures as soon as possible.
Rival Union Organized.
Former employees of the Philadelphia
d Reading Coal & Iron company, Erie
company and Pennsylvania Coal com
pany testified to alleged discrimination
in the matter of employment after the
strike.
The mine workers here introduced ev-
idence showing that the mine officials
OF the Continental colliery of the Del
aware-Lackawanna company attempt
ed to organize a union known as
the Lackawanna union, in opposition
to the United Mine Workers of Ameri-
ca Mr.. DarrOw. for the miners, Of
fered the bylaws of the new union as
evidence. Everett Warren for the coal
companies objected to their admis-
sion, but the commission admitted
them.
Little Girls Employed.
Several little girls employed in silk
mills We're called to the witness stand
and, as a result. Chairman Gray plain
~ gave his opinion of parents who send
their children to work at a tender age.
The first girl called was only II years
old, and she had to go to work be-
cause her father had been hurt in the
mines. She said she worked from
a. m. until D. m. for 81 a week. In
to Chairman Gray. she said her
father expects 10 take her out of the
mills next week. to which Judge GRAY
replied that he should be commended.
Annie Denks, aged Is years, said she
worked at night from $50 o'clock until
$3.50 in the morning. She had to stand
up all night during her work, and re-
ceived 65 cents q night
The Commission Shocked.
When the girl said she was employed
at night every member of the commits
sion seemed to be shocked. Judge
Gray appeared especially indignant. He
s4SFNS0 III NACIC HSf Idln6TT worked.
and she told him in the mines.
The girl also told the number of per-
sons in the family, and finally Judge
Gray said he would like to see the
father,
II would like to sec the fathers of
these girls he repeated. 1T may be
a necessity to send them to the mills.
but do not think a father has a right
to coin the flesh and blood of his chill
dren into money. It is an outrage.
would ike to see what instincts he
has"
The chairman of the commission
spoke with much feeling, and his views
apparently received the approval Of
the other commissioners.
Mr.. Darrow, for the miners, said it
was not altogether the fault of the
parents. but the employers are to
blame for not paying wages enough |
10 permit q man to keep his children +!
IN school, Judge Gray replied: