The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-11-07
COAL COMMISSION
ANNOUNCEMENT
at Any Change Is Made in the
Miners Wages It WIFI Take
Effect. From Nov /.
BOTH SIDES WANTED 1T
Miners Wished New Scale to Be Re.
troactive, Taking Effect From Day
of Observation-Disclosures
Program for Today.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 3.-The anthra-
acite strike commission has officially de-
~cided that if any change is made in
date from tomorrow, November 1.
This announcement was made by the
commission through Recorder Wright
Mn the following brief statement given
out this morning:
1T was voted unanimously that if
the commission at conclusion Of its
hearing and deliberations makes any
award affecting the existing rate of
wages such award shall take effect
from November l, 1902"
Recorder Wright stated that the res-
.olution was adopted by the commission
because it felt that it was important
to make it's Investigations deliberately,
and that 1t might be we'll, in order to
relieve itself from pressure from any
source which might cause undue haste,
to inform the operators and miners
that should the investigation and de-
alterations following it warrant any
change whatever, either in the way of
an increase or reduction of wages, such
change should be from a certain date,
thus enabling all parties to facilitate
their calculations.
Will Save Much Time.
.. 11S dCCIO1 VI lllC COll1lIllSSlOu III ldh-
ing this step at this time will save the
commissioners a lot of time. It Is
known each side to the controversy
would take a determined stand on the
question when the new rate of wages,
If one is made, shall go into effect. The
operators in their original proposition
to President Roosevelt wanted the
commission to fix a date. The miners
wanted the prospective new rate to be
retroactive n go into effect on the
day when they returned to work,
which was a week ago yesterday.
President Mitchell, who was here last
might, left for Wilkesbarre today, be-
fore the announcement was made. 1t
As not known what he thinks Of the
commission's action. The program Of
the commission today calls for inspec-
ton Of the Manville colliery, WI miles
from here, and a drive through the
nearby habitations Of the miners. The
commissioners expect to complete in
spection of this region today and go
tc Wilkesbarre tomorrow.
The commissioners inspected the
three-breasts and were in the mines two
hours and a half. The first breast was
1900 feet from the foot of the shaft.
The commissioners a to walk along
in a STOPPING position owing to the low
roof. 1t was extremely tiresome for
those unaccustomed to the mine.
Interrogate a Miner.
At the face of the breast a miner and
his helper were found. Some of the
commission piled the men with all
sorts Of questions. The miner said he
was able to get out four or five cars a
day, told how much he made, and gave
other information.
Judge Gray was SO fatigued by walk
ing in a hent-over position for an hour
thai he decided to go to the surface. He
was hoisted to the top with Bishop
Spalding. General Wilson. was the most
aggressive Of = the commissioners in
seeking information. He did not ap-
pear to mind the physical discontinue
and asked man questions Of both
company officials and the miners and
their representatives. Not i~nfrequently
the answers were much at variance
with each other. Y
::ss Got Start EARLY Today.
The members Of the party were up
early today, ready for another hard
days work. They left the hotel soon
after the tarrivalo Of Commissioner Wat
kins, whose home is in this city. Wat
kins, owing to his intimate knowledge
of mining in this region, Is the guild
Ing spirit of the party. He arranged
yesterdays trip and has general charge
of today's tour. In this he Is assisted
by the superintendent Of the compan-
ies located In this vicinity and also by
District President Nichols Of the
miners union. II
The Manville mine, which was in
spected today. is operated Jointly by
the Delaware and Hudson and Della
ware Lackawanna and Western COM
panies. The mine is ne of the worst
for the miners in this territory. The
veins are small and there is hardly
room enough for the workmen to stand
u This colliery was visited at the
suggestion Of the mine workers repre-,
Sentatives. b