The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-28
Asbitrators Decline Railroads
Offer of Special Train.
WILL ACCEPT NO FAvORs
Recognition Of The Miners Union VII.
Be One Of the Kno,ty Problems for
Commission to settIe-Baer
Objects TO Mitchell as Rep
resentatiye of the Union.
Meet Again Thursday

tBy Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. october 2l.-Ihe An
thraeite Coal Strike Commission TO-DAY
IN tho hearing room of the Interstate
+ Commerce Commission held its first con-
ference with the parties to the contro-
ycrsy in the anthracite regions. lhere
VAS a fun representation OF both opera
tors and miners and members of the
press and a number Of other interested
parties were present.
The commission occupied the elevated
seats generally filled by members of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. Judge
Gray. as president occupying the center
seat and Messrs. Wright. Watkins. and
Clark the seats to the right of him in
the order named, while General Wilson,,
Bishop Spalding and MIR. Parker sat on
The le1t in the order of their names
The proceedings covered about two
hours. time and were given up entirely
to a discussion of the Time and method
of procedure.
BEGIN ON THURSDAY.
The commission decided TO begin its
work next Thursday morning at o'clock.
4 }
I examination of the condition OF The
miners and the homes Of the miners.
Starting a Scranton the anthracite Neld
$s.siil be cnpered
There csas considerab BILE discussion over
a proposition made by a commissioner to
have expert accountants appointed 10
audit statements OF wages and checKs'
but no result was reached on thlS polnl
beyond the announcement by the char
intention
4 poin, such an accountant in case his
services; should be found necessary.
During the progress of the meeting,
Nl. Mitchell, as the representative OF
The miners presented a copy of the orl-
Einal declaratiou of the miners as fornu-
lated by the Sllamokin convention. as the
basis CT tile demands OF the miners.
MINERS DEMANDS.
This demand is. first. for an increase OF
% per cent iii wages of those not en-
gagged by the day: second. a reduction OF
70 per cent in working hours OF those
engaged by the day: third. the payment
To-, coal mined by weight at minimum
rate OF 60 cents per ton of 2,2i0 pounds:
fourth a wage agreement between the
operators and the miners for an adjust
nent OF wages.
Mr. .Baer on the part OF the coal ope-
ratprs, took exception TO Mr. Mitchell 8
SinpparaDGeH 5le1nlGH the sS a
representative of the mine workers
nnion. but said that he had noaobjection
TO his presence as a representative of the
strikers "a $ such, in their individual ca
pacits. The commission made no attempt
10 settle the controversy. but 1t Was
made clear that the recognition OF the
miners, union would be an important and
knotty problem for the arbitrators.
THE cONTESTAN NTS.
The coal carrying roads We're repre-
feell,ed as follows: President Baer, of the
Philadelphia and Reading. L. R. Thomas.
chairman Of the Board OF the Erie; Al
fred Mater. president of the l1ehgh
Valley w. ii. Truesdale. president Of
the Delaware Lackawanna and Wcstern;
David NilcoN, yice-president of the Dell
aware and Hudson; John B. Herr, vice
president of the Scranton Coal Company,
]. III Torrey, attorney for the Delaware
and Hudson. and Francis Gowan, at
to,aley fol, the Lehigil Valley.
The miners We're represented by Pres
iden. Mitchell. District president Fahr
and Matter e. NNcyle.
Preceding the discussion over opening
me books to the experts. Mn Bacr made
a point of saving that The case Of each
coal company would be dealt with sep
araiely He would contend for the
sliding scale i'll the regulation of wages,
and nree the adoption Of a profit sharing
plan MIR. Thomas said he noticed that
the ward .,albiration'' had been applied
TO tho scarn,nissso IS work. while he want-
ed il considered as an investigation
Judge Gray said the Presidents inStruc-
tion settled that is was an arbitration.t
EXAMINING THE BOOKS.
A suggestion that both sides appoint
experts TO examine the books of the
companies, was made by Judge Gray. the
chairman Of the commission. Mr.. Baer,
after eNpressics his disinclinationH ac-
cept this suggestion, said tha; his COM
pany would submit their ray-rolls under
oath of their accountant
President Mitchell said that it would
facilitate the work of The commission
II IL would accept a general. statement
on these issues that affect all companies
and tlesnilie workers alike. Tor instance.
the question of1shorte1- hours
Mr.. Truesdale said that his company
had a plan by which it was hoped to-
speedily adjust he differences between
his company and the men. This plan was
FOR the miners IN appoint a committee
TO meet a committee of his company and
discuss their grievances. and If there
were any such that could not be settled
then those cases should 20 before the
commission for final arbitration
FOR THE MINERS
Mr.. Wcyi for the miners. said that
II the suggestions of the chairman were
accented. MIR. Mitchell and himself would
not present the statistics they had prc-
pared.
President Bacr.8 however. thought that
these statis,icans would be "a check on
the company's payroll and should be
presented. Mr.. Mitchell responded that
ne would not be insistent upon tho sub
Ject. and. turning 10 Mr.. Eaer. said: '1f
~,e are able TO agree as to what rates
to different classes of workmen. their
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