The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-23
WHO IS ID BLAME FOR THE SHORTAGE Question Comes Up in the Coal
 Strike Hearing MINERS CLAIM INNOCENCE Darrow Says If He Does Not Prove the Operators Are to Blame He
 Will Be Willing to Lose
 Ills Case.
MINERS CLAIM INNOCENCE

Philadelphia, January 22.-The question of who is responsible for the shortage in the supply of anthracite coal was the sub ject of considerable debate today by the attorneys representing the parties before the strike commission. It was testified to that the miners were not obeying Presi- dent Mitchells request to make extra ef- forts to produce more coal to relieve the situation James H. Torrey and Evrett Warren, who represent several of the large companies, challenged the correct ness of Mir Mitchel1s statement that 5000 men were idle and ready to go to work. c. S. Darrow for the miners, replied that he would show that the operators and not the men were responsible for the short age.
 If I don't" he said, "1 will ask the commission to find against us."
 The Lehigh Valley Coal company closed its case today and the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre company consumed few hours in presenting it's evidence. This company closed shortly before adjourn ment and the independent operators of the upper region then took up the operators side of the controversy. It is said that the hearings will last ten more days.
 Want Agreements Held Down.
 The commission informed the attorneys on both sides today that 1t would like them to confine their final arguments to four or five days. The lawyers will agree among themselves as to the division of time The miners want half the time all lowed by the commission.
 The independent operators of the upper Wyoming and Lackawanna regions pre- sented their case during the afternoon There are about thirty of these concerns in the upper territory represented before the commission, and an opening state- nent on behalf of all of them was made by II. c. Reynolds of Scranton, one of the attorneys.
 Al rlong other things he said:
 "F or the most part our product has bee sold directly to the various auxili- arz companies of the railroads. We have had nothing to do with fixing the price at which our coal should be sold and have been obliged to accept such part of the price obtained at tide water, where the coal brings less upon the average than at any other place we were able to secure.
 Have Suffered Losses.
 We have suffered the losses incident to an over-supply upon the market and have sought compensation which would minimize competition advantages of our rivals in the trade who have enjoyed substantial privileges not necessary to discuss here, but appreciated by the ob- server.
 I've believe an advance in wages at this time is unwarranted and that to do so will at once encourage exorbitant de- mands in other directions
 We hope to prove that the hours Of labor at the mines are now too brief. and we contend that the compensation has been, and now is fixed by an eco- nomicai law, which serves to secure wages favorable to their interests.
 We expect to show that the union has limited production in many ways and that in consequence of this there has followed a decrease in wages. That un- justihable strikes in considerable number have occurred thus limiting the produc- tion."
 The statement alleges that had the executive authorities afforded that meas ure of protection, they were bound to ac- cord all citizens the anthracite coal pro- ducers of Pennsylvania would have fur nished the usual quota of coal, and the strike would have been a failure"