Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-17
NO BLACKLIST
Exists in Mining Regions Say
Operators Witnesses.
Also That Contract Miners Have An
Easy Time With Their Work.
Ard Still the Entire Country Is slore
Of Coal.

Philadelphia. Jan. 16.-More mine
officials We're called to the witness
stand and informed the coal strike
commissioners that under the influence
of the union the mine workers re-
stricted the production of anthracite
coal and otherwise nterfered with the
discipline Of the employees. The Erie
Co., which controls the Pennsylvania
Coal Co. and the Hillside Coal and
Iron co. closed early in the day, after
calling a physician who testified to
the good health of the mine workers.
THE Scranton Coal Co, which oper-
ates besides it's own the collieries OF
the Elk Hill Coal and Iron Co., then
took up the attack on the demands of
the miners. The Scranton anu the
Elk Hill Companies turn their coal
over to the New York, Ontario &
Western Railroad, which virtually con-
trolls them.
The witnesses called, today, testi-
fed generally that no blacklist exists.
that the contract miners work on an
average of from 6 to hours a day:
that the local unions compel the men
to load an equa! number of cars thus
restricting the output; that the men
are careless in obeying orders and that
frequent petty strikes occur because
a union man is dismissed for insurbor-
dination. One inside foreman, in his
testimony said the employment Of
check weighman, insisted upon by the
union, has proved to be good thing
for the company because the miners
sent to the surface cleaner coal, that
is. coal with very little impurities in
it.
The accountant for the Scranton
Coal Co. presented figures which
showed that since check docking boss
was employed by the company at the
request of the miners the dockage
against the men has been reduced
about one half. The miners pay the
wages of the check weighman and the
check docking boss. 1t was also stated
that tie checkmen have no trouble
with the regular weighman and dock
ing boss of the company. Supt. May
of the Erie Co., testified a few days
ago that the employment of check
docking bosses is not practicable be-
cause the two men would not agree,
regarding the amount Of dirt in car.
When the session opened counsel for
The miners and counsel for the Erie
Co. announced that the differences be-
tween the two parties to the Contro-
versy regarding the compilation of GER
tain wage statements to be presented
10 the commission were being anlicably
adjusted by the experts representing
each side The Erie Co. called one wit
ness and then closed its case. The
Scranton Coal Co. and the Elk Hill
Coal and Iron Co., then began present.
ing its case. James Z. Burr Of Scran-
ton, counsel for the two companies,
made preliminary statel.:e1t lie said
in part:
THE facts which viii be shownby
the Scranton Coal Company on behalf
Of itself and the Elk Hill Coal and Iron
Company, whose properties 1t operates
will relate to the question OF wages
and hours and the conditions hitherto
and now prevailing at the several col
lieries of both companies. The COM
pany employs about 5000 men and boys.
1t pays the laborers direct, pursuing Il
system always III vogue at its several
eollieries This mas always been done
at the request of miners as we shall
show. The statements filed show that
the company is paying fair wages as
fair as those paid by other OPERATOR
engaged in mining in the same region
where it opertes.
1--WE shall show that we have ell
deavored to pacify and concilate all
persons making complaints and adjust
any serious difficulties. We shall show
further that we had TO guard our owr
properties during the recent strike al
our own expense, chiefly by our OWL
employees, from among whom all of oui
Coal and Iron police were appointed
that we suffered severe loss by damage
done to our col.ieries by mobs OF
strikers and strike sympathizers; ane
sh4t we were constantly Interfere,
with Il, our efforts TO preserve pui
properties.
1--WE shall show also that it would
not be Just to us or reasonably practi'
cable 10 change the methods of pay
nents now employed by us.
ITO compel us to change from pay
n,ent by the car to payment by weigh
would entail not only great expense
bus serious delays in operating on
mines in order to provide the necessar.
appliances for effecting such change
and we shall show that it would max,
30 practical difference with the ne
wages rec e;ved by the miners. In shor
tfl0t 1T would ne uSSisSS. 4iASiSSs us'i
unfair AMI unreasonable.
VIM. Allen, inside division saperinteil
dent OF the Elk Hill Coal and Iron Co
described the conditions about that com
laAys ccl!ieries. He said that adjust
r,eats of the miners wages We're AWAY
made where special work. on account G
varying physical conditions was don't
lie said that tie size of mine cars of In
company has not been increased. Dun
ius his - years experience in The Coz
regions he said he never heard OF the es
is.ence of Il BLACKLIST None OF tn
companies lie has been connected wit
ever told him to discriminate against an
man. On the contrary. he was instruc
cd TO treat ali men alike. As rule, !
said the miners work on an averase 81
hours per day. Witness testified of IL
stlbordination
The company promised to give .break'
BOYS q sleigh ride The snow melted an
because they. did not get the ride all I
them struck. which tied up the collier
Another colliery shut down because Il
men struck upon the refusal of one raa
Ia snDw q. union card. In another case
s.riycr wilfully crippled a mule becau'
he was discharged All the other dri'
~ crs sti uck closing the mine The witne
slid that since the strike OF 1870 the ms
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