The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-11-13
BABR FILES ANSWER.
PRESIDENT OF The READING
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RAILWAY REPLIES TO PRES
IDENT MITCHELL.
STATES OPERATORS CASE

o1AlUO vi HhA lOlOkD OaOH
Maintains the Present Rate of Miners
Wages Is High Enough and the De.
mand for an Increase Is Arbitrary,
Unreasonable and Unjust-says the
Union Has Made Conditions in the
Anthracite Field IntoIerabIe: "a 3.
Washington, Nov II. - 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 a part of his state
ment:
"To 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
cries, and that at that time it. had u.s.
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.
'Third-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-
curing equal skill and training.
"Fifth-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 i'll 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.
Seyenth-This company denies that
the second demand for 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 company, replying
to the third demand, says: That it
has had no disagreements with any
of it's 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-
tlced 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-
ton; that the bituminous coal is a
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 !ntolerabIe; ~.
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 well as
by necessary implication, the invests
cation is confined to matters affect
ing it's 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 thai
when any labor organization limited
to the anthracite workers shall ODE,
the law of the land, permit any maj
to work whether he joins the unto,
or not and shall honestly co-operat,
with the employers in securing goot
work off aiona1y fo;r