The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-31
COMMISSIONERS VISIT Mines.
STRIKE ARBITRATION HOARD
BEGINS ITS WORK.
An Exhaustive Examination Made Of the
hillside No, 2 Coliiery. nj Forest city
Miners at Work observation-disclosures.
breaker " orkings Examined Win Care

Miners At Work QuestiOned-tOaI.
breaker " orkings Examined Win Care
SCRANTON. Pa, Oct. 30.-After busy
day spent among the anthracite mines
of northeastern Pennsylvania the men,
hers Of the Coal Strike Arbitration Com
mission are resting tonight al the Hotel
Jermyn Before they returned here they
explored the caverns of the mines by the
Pickering light of lamps carried on their
own caps; they had passed along gang
ways and into chambers where the miners
lay upon their backs TO dig AT the coal,
they had questioned miners, slate pickers
and door tenders
Despite the fact that they we're kept
busy from early in tie morning until after
O'Clock tonight the commission and
party visited two mines They descended
into the chant ers Of one. the Hillside
Coal and Iron Company No ?, AZ Forest
City, contenting themselves az the other
with making "A thorough inspection Of the
breaker and the Weighing apparatus.
Whatever the impressions Of the members
of the commission were. they we're careful
not 10 disclose them. Ii is the belief here
that they have not even discussed them
among themselves.
The special train carrying the commits
sioners. consisting Of a club car, Pullman
and an ordinary coach, left the city this
morning AZ 10 o'clock The members Of
the party were made up IF the commission,
the assistant recorders. Edward A. Nose
ley and Charles p O'Neill; the stenog
raphers. Charles Geery. Jesse Sears.
Charles W Morris, Frank r II lnna and
A. q. Edwards: the coal company super
ntendents. Reese A. Phillips Of the Lacka-
wanna, W. A. May Of the Erie. J. K Dryden
81 the Ontario and Western and &. G. Rose
Of the Delaware and Hudson: District
President Nichols and Henry Collins. a
national organizer Of the United Mine
Workers, and the Rev. Peter Roberts Of
Mahonoy City, representing the miners;
James Warwick, a student Of labor quest ions
from New York city who declared that he
accompanied the party at the particular
request of President John Mitchell, and
newspaper reporters
The first unpleasant incident, Of the trip
grew out Of the presence on the train Of
MIR Warwick of New York. the tudent Of
labor whom the members Of the commits
sion evidently regarded as ringer"
He was closely questioned by Mr. Watkins
party. and gave out most meagne infor-
nation concerning himself He announced
that he had boarded the train at the request
Of John Mitchell, but said that he would
leave it at once IL his presence was con-
sidered unwelcome.
Mr.. Wat kins made answer that there was
no reason why he should not go along, but
said that the commission should have been
81 =. ~ l.
one of the party. Mr.. Warwick remained
close by the side Of President Nichols
throughout the day, was smooth-tongued
and ingratiatng, but Their, was n O indica-
ton that he was on especially intimate
terms with tho superintendent Of the coal
companies
Once on board the train the party WAS
informed that the morning would be spent
In visiting the No. and the Clifford break
ers Of the Hillsdale Coal and Iron .Erie'
Company in Forest City and that the party
would then return and inspect one or more
Of the mines about the city Of Carbonate.
1t was a few minutes after II o'clock when
the commissions train reached Forest City.
The announcement was made at the breaker
that the party that entered the mine would
consist Of the members Of the commission
and their stenographers, Mr.. Nichols and
his assistants. the superintendent Of the
companies and one newspaper representa-
tive.
After disembarking at Forest City the
members Of the commission and some Of
the party were driven in carriages for sew
eral blocks 10 a place where they were able
to board mine cars fitted up with seats on
the narrow gauge railway running from
the No. 2 mine to the breaker. putting,
snorting little engine was attached to the
train and drew the party for about mile
to the head Of the shaft. Here immediate
preparations were made for descending
into the mines. Jumpers or hlouses OF
blue. with overalls OF the sam color with
caps containing miners lamps. we're pro-
vided for all members OF the party. It
was amusing to see Bishop Spauldng pull
ing the rough clothing over his broadcloth;
and the fine military figure OF Gen, Wilson
lost none Of its natural grace while he stood
CARRIED in the habiiments Of the miner and
was photographed by camera hend who
was one Of the party.
After the laughter that followed tn q
change of costume had subsidized the men,
hers Of the party went upon the cage Of
1t was a drop of $50 feet below the surface.
Every precaution had been take to secure
the safety Of the party Every part Of
the mine likely TO contain gas had heen
explored and every bit of suspicious look
ing overhanging rock had been tested.
Al the head Of the shaft. AT the request OF
President Nichols, the party was Joined by
two practical miners. William II Mcmillan,
president of Local 70 1900. and f. B. Ed
wards, a member Of the same At the foot
of each mine by an act of the last Iegisla-
ture, an emergency hospital has been con-
struc,ed; at this particular mine. the hos
pital which was the first place visited,
vas found TO be a square whitew ashed
chamber fitted up with cots and medicine
chests
The hospital visited there was found
awaiting the party at the foot six mine
cars fitted up with seats and made as clean
a. possible IL should be added here that
the No mine il one fitted up with all
modern improvements. IL has a complete
electric light plant. the chambers blaze
with incandescent lights and the cars within
the mine are propelled by the electri c
trolley system. II was In cars of this kind