The Dickinson press., 1902-11-15
BAER FILES ANSWER
PRESIDENT OF THE READING
RAILWAY REPLIES TO PRES
IDENT MITCHELL.

lOENI MI lCfEII.
Maintains the Present Rate of Miners
Wages Is High Enough and the De-
nand for an Increase is Arbitrary,
Unreasonable and Unjust-says the
Union Has Made Conditions in tho
Anthracite Field IntolerabIe.
Washington, Nov. IL. - President
Baer of the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron company has filed with
the anthracite coal strike commission
the reply of that company to the de-
mand of John Mitchell, president of
the United Mine Workers of America,
concerning the points involved in the
anthracite coal strike
Following is part Of his state
ment:
ITO the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission: Philadelphia and Read
ing Coal and Iron company, replying
to the demands of John Mitchell, rep
presenting certain anthracite mine
workers, says:
"First-That it owns thirty-seven
collieries situated in the counties of
Schuylkill, Northumberland and Co.
lumbia, and that it did operate pre-
vious to the strike inaugurated by the
United Mine Workers of America
thirty-three collieries and four wash
prinS Qni thof OF hot
929 employees in and about the mines.
"Second-The first demand for 20
per cent increase upon the price paid
during the year 1901 to employees per-
forming contract or piece work, is
arbitrary, unreasonable and unjust.
Thlrd-This company denies that
the present rate of wages is lower
than is paid in other occupations in
the same locality and controlled by
like conditions.
"Fourth-This company denies that
the average annual earnings of the
men working full time in the anthra-
cite coal field Is less than the average
annual earnings for occupations re-
quiring equal skill and training.
"F1fth-The company denies that
the rate Of wages in the anthracite
coal fields is insufficient to
Compensate Mine Workers
IN view of the dangerous character of
the occupation in relation to accidents,
liability to injury and permanent dis
ease, the high death rate and the short
trade life incident to this employment.
"Sixth-This company AYERS that
whilst the sixth specification is too
general and vague for specific an
swer thereto that it is true that the
anthracite coal regions (almost en-
tirely dependent upon the anthracite
mining industry are among the most
prosperous in the United States
This company AYERS that there is
not anywhere else In the world a min
ing region where the workmen have
so many comforts, facilities for edu-
cation, general advantages and such
profitable employment.
"Seventh-This company denies that
the second demand for a reduction
of earnings for all employees by the
hour. day or week. is either just or
equitable and AYERS that the reasons
assigned in support of the demand
are impracticable in so far as they
| relate to the mining of anthracite
| coal.
"Eighth-This company, replying
to the third demand, says: That it
has had no disagreements with any
OF Its employees about the weighing
of coal; the quantity is usually deter
mined by mutual agreement; that
when coal Is mined it is customary
and necessary to make allowance for
slate and impurities. But this COM
pany does not mine by the ton. It
denies there is anything unreasonable
or unfair in the method it has prac-
ticed in arriving at the measurement
of the coal from the mines.
"Ninth-This company, replying to
the fourth demand. says: That the
United Mine Workers of America are
primarily bituminous coal organiza-
tion; that the bituminous coal is q
rival competitor in the market with
anthracite coal; that ever since the
advent Of the United Mine Workers
| of America in the anthracite fields
the business conditions in the anthra-
cite mines
Have Become IntoIerabIe;
the output of the mines has decreased,
discipline has been destroyed, strikes
have been of almost daily occurrence;
men have worked when and as they
pleased and the cost Of mining has
been greatly increased.
This company, further, in answer
| ing, AYERS that Jurisdiction of the COM
mission is limited to the conditions
| named in the statement of the coal
companies presidents, by virtue Of
which the commission was appointed
and that by express terms, as we'll as
by necessary implication, the investi-
| cation is confined to matters affect
ing its employees and excludes the
| United Mine Workers of America from
any part or recognition in the pro-
ceedings recommendations or decis.
ions of this commission.
Further answering, it says that
! when any labor organization limited
| to the anthracite workers shall obey
| the law of the land permit any man
| to work whether he joins the union
or not and shall honestly cooperate
with the employers in securing good
work. efficiency. fair. production and
necessary discipline, these agreements
may become practicable.
And, further, answering, the COM
pany says 41at it does not and will
not discriminate against workmen be-
longing to the United Mine Workers
| of America or any other labor organ
ization, so long as they perform sat-
isfactory work and behave as law.
abiding people should; but that the
company will at all times employ any
person it sees fit and will not permit
any labor organization to limit the
right Of employment to the members
of its organization"
Prominent Railway Man Dead.
Freeport, ILL.,. Nov. 12.-E. o. Dana,
sixty-three years Of age, the oldest
master mechanic Of the Illinois Gen.