Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-31
EARNINGS OF THE MINERS
Many Are Able to Work Only a Few Days
During the Year.
OTHERS MAKE FAIRLY GOOD WAGES
Statement Submitted Showing the
Workings of the Beneat Fund
and n sum that Has
Been Disbursed.

PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 3O.-with the ex-
ception Of the presentation Of statistics
the operators closed their case before the
strike commission today, and It is expected
the miners will begin calling evidence in
rebuttal on Monday. No session will be
held tomorrow.
The miners will take up three or four
days next week, after which the commits
sion will adjourn to the following Mon
day. The arguments will consume the
t~greater part Of the week beginning Feb
ruary 8. Up to date the commission has
heard 429 witnesses.
Reading Discharges witness.
1t developed during the day that a Read
ing company's miner, who testified before
the commission at Scranton, had lost his
place in consequence, and the commission
exacted a promise that he should be REIN
stated. This concession was only secured,
however, after Judge Gray had expressed
the opinion that 1t vas not right to de-
prive a man Of his position for testifying
before the commission.
The miner, J. P. Clarke, had been unex-
p~ectedly summoned, and went to Scran-
ton without first notifying his foreman. On
the third day OF his absence the foreman
filled his place, and afterward refused to
reinstate him.
Adam Boyd of Shenandoah, a division
superintendent Of the Philadelphia & Read
ing Iron and Coal company, was recalled
when the commission opened. and on cross
examination said the company would
rather let its miners drown than give rec
ignition to the union.
Jacob p. Jones Of Pittsville, paymaster
Of the Reading company, presented a
statement showing the annual earning OF
contract miners at the Reading COM
pany's Bear Ridge, Good Springs, Kohinoor,
Potts. Draper. Indian Ridge, Pres
ton No. 3, Richardson and Turkey Run col
Heries.
Presents wage Statement.
These were selected by the commission
from the thirty-seven collieries for the
purpose OF arranging a wage statement.
The statement showed that twenty-four
men who worked an average Of 265 shifts
during 1901 earned $1,000 and over; twenty
three worked 254 days and over and earned
from 5000 to 1000; forty-six worked 249
days and earned $500 to 5000; eighty-six
worked 244 days and earned 500 to $500;
100 worked 290 days and earned $500 to
900; 1888 worked PA days and earned $500
to 5000; 40 worked $50 days and earned
$500 to $500; 1876 worked 143 days and
earned $500 to $500; sixteen worked 1913
days and earned 5000 to 5000 each and 909
who worked an average Of twehty-eight
days earned less than 5000.
Mr.. Jones also presented a statement CIV
ing the earnings for 1901 Of the men
paid by the day, week or month and
a statement showing the workings of the
miners and laborers' benefit fund from
the time it YVES organized by the late
Franklin F. Gowen, in 1877, to date.
Vvhon tho fund uae gfarfod tho rOmnanV
contributed 500, 600, and It had made up all
deficits whenever p any occurred and also
all expenses for 4 clerical work in
connection with the fund. Nearly 81, 0oO,-
900 had been paid out in benefits.
water Floods when Men strike.
Patrick F.. Brennan of shamokin, a d.
vision superintendent, told Of violence
committed during the strike at the Henry
Clay ~colliery, near Shamokin.
Prior to the strike of 1900, he said, the
market regulated the output of coal, but
since then the men had been regulating
production.
When the late strike began there were
100 feet OF water in the Henry Clay mine
as the result of an accident. The men
struck and allowed 500 feet Of water to
accumulate. 1t would take several months
to get some of the levels in condition to
work, and six to eight months before the
lower level was clear OF water.
The engineers at the Henry Clay col
liery were working eight hours a day when
the strike began, and the fremen were on
duty longer. The fremen quit, and the
engineers refused to handle so-called
"scab" steam and also stopped work.
The remainder of the day was taken up
by witnesses called to show wages paid
laborers and other workers employed in