The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-05
jackson Ansbach's story OF the Long
Hours and Small Pay Of the
Firemen.
FATHER HUss1E's EVIDENCE
NINE WORKERS ARE FRUGAL, But
UNABLE TO SAVE MONEY.
inspectors to BE Asked to Appear BE-
fore Strike Commission-Peace Ru-
mOrs Believed to Have Basis.

SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. AIT to-day's
sessions of the anthracite strike commits
sion the representative Of the mine workers
continued to call witnesses, mostly prac-
teal miners. who told their story Of con-
ditions as they existed in the Hazeton or
middle coal fields. Some of the witnesses
testified that they were not given their
old places and maintained that men promi-
nent In the union in their localities during
the strike were Disseminated against. The
commission has decided 10 invite the mine
inspectors to appear before them, because
the miners assert that the workmen fear
to inform the mine inspectors of dangerous
or unhealthy places In the mine, because
the inspectors are usually accompanied by
some representative of the company, who
may cause the mans dismissal. This is a
new point before the commission.
Rumors of possible negotiations looking
to a settlement outside the commission con-
tinue to be heard. Lawyers admit they
have heard such rumors. but say they know
nothing about a possible settlement. What
ever Is done will be first decided upon in
New York Several attorneys. among them
w. w. Ross, of the Delaware, Lackawana
& Western Company. have returned to the
metropolis. Whether or not 1t is in con-
nection with peace negotiations cannot be
learned here The opinion still prevails
here, and rather strongly, too that the
operators and the miners will agree on
most points before the commission con-
cludes its hearings.
jackson Ansbach, of the Hazleton region,
was an interesting witness to-day because
he is the first fireman to appear before the
commission. He said he received sl.57 for
q day of twelve hours. and his assistant
sl.26. On every other Sunday. when he and
his assistant shifted from day to night
work. they were compelled to work twenty
four hours straight without relief. This
statement caused a buzz through the court
room and every commissioner Strengthened
up and became more interested. He said he
was off duty one day every two weeks. thus
working six days one week and eight days
the following week.
"Supposing you should fall asleep when
you work in the long. shift of twenty-four
hours what would happen?" asked Mr.
barrow. of counsel for the miners
Well Te he replied ion as a ol1d slept long enough
in the mines and II an explosion took place
some men might be killed. that's all."
The Rev. James V. Hussie. rector of St
Gabriels Roman Catholic Church, Hazle.
ton. and the dean. by appointment. of the
bishop of the Diocese of Lower Luzerns
County, an ecclesiastical preferment, as he
| called IL, was the next witness Father
/ Hussie stated that he had an intimate
/ knowledge OF conditions in and about Halle
/ ton because he was rector of the parish
/ there. Drinking among the miners. he said
/ was at a minimum during the strike wher
/ asked to explain the general conditions a.
/ he found them. Father Hussie said he haC
| lived in the coal regions practically all his
! life THE conditions in this region" he
/ said. "are deplorable. The mine worker,
l are barely able to exist i say this without
/ any coloring. knowing that / am unde,
/ oath. l have been in their homes The,
/ are not homes. but merely a habitation.
/ resting place. They are frugal. conserva
/ tive reasonable and God-fearing. We 'hay,
/ eight Catholic churches in Hazleion anc
| they are crowded every Sunday with wor
\ shippers. and this is no doubt true OF tn.
/ churches whose faith is opposed to ours"
Continuing. Father Hussie said that thi,
~es tae condition before the strike and tha