The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-12
MIR. BAER SCORESU UNION
SAYS ITS DEMANDS ARE ARBIT-
 RARY AND UNJUST.
Declares That Proposition to Reduce Hours and Increase Pay is In- equitable--No Recognition
 for Mine Workers.

Washington, Nov. 1.-The reply Of President George Baer, of the Phiiadel- phda and Reading Coal Company. to tho charges of President Mitchell ot the United Mine Workers. which has been presented to the anthracite coal strike commission, was today given to the pub lic. Mir Baer makes no reference to MT. Mitchell as the President of She miners orxanization, but refers to him simply as an individual Taking up the speci- dcations in Mr. Mitchell's charges ser1- atm. MT. Baer first admits that his com pany owns thirty-seven collierfes and chat before the strike 1t employed 2c,s29 people. Following is a brief summary of the re- sponse to Mir. Mttchell's other specin- cations:
 Second-The demand for % per cent. increase in wages on piece work IS oe- nounced as arbitrary. unreasonable ana unjust" The company contends that al- ter making all necessary allowance TOT different conditions. that the rate Of wages paid for the mining of anthracite coal ts as high as that paid in the btuminous fields.
 Third-The company denies that the present scale of wages is lower than IS paid in other occupations in the same locality and controlled by like conditions.
 Fourth and Fifth-Mr. Baer denies that the earnings of the anthracite worSers are less than average earnings for other occupations requiring skill and training and also the charge that the earnings are insufficient because of the dangerous character of the work in the anthracite mines.
 sixth.-rhis speciheation made by MT. fn oG for specific answer. but in a general way 1t is stated that the anthracite regions are among the most prosperous in the United States.
 Seventh-The company pronounces as unjust and negotiable the demand Tor a reduction of 20 per cent. In hours or labor without reduction of earnings Tor time employees; and this demand is pro- nounced impractfcable. In this connection the following statement is made: Be- cause of the injury to the mines by the strike of the United Mine Workers, the cost of producing coal has been greatly increased and a temporary advance In price was made by thds company, but 1t will be impracticable to continue such increase when mining operations become normal.
 Eighth-Mr. Baer says his company has no disagre sment with any of its em- ployes about weighing of coal. because the quantity is usually determined by measurement and not by weight.
 Thanksgiving to the demands made by Mir. Mitchell. MT. Baer says since the advent of the United Mine Workers or ganization into the anthracite fields, bus mess conditions have been intolerAble; that the output of the mines has ae- creased; thnt discipline has been de- stroyed: that strikes have been of almost daily occurrence: that 'nen have worked wher and as they please. and that the cost of mining has been greatly increased. Ie also takes the position that the ju- risdiction of the commission is limited to the conditions named by the coal com pany presidents which excludes the United Mine Workers from any recogni- ton in the proceedings; He says, how ever. when a labor organization limited to anthracite mine workers is created which shall obey the law, respect the right of every man to work. and hon. estiy cooperate with employers, trade agreements may become practicable"