Evening journal., 1903-01-29
DARROW STRIKES
At OPERATORS
Restriction of Coal Out put
Comes Before the Strike
Commission
WANTS TO REFUTE THE CHARGES


Of Coal Roads be Asked to Testify,
and Resents Charge That Miners
Limit the Supply.
Philadelphia, Jan. 29.-The mooted
question of responsibility for the limi-
tation of the hard coal production was
again an issue before the anthracite
coal strike commission yesterday. The
matter was brought up by Attorney
Darrow, counsel for the miners, who
requested the commission to summon
the presidents Of the coal carrying
railroads as witnesses. The demand
resulted in a lengthy discussion be-
tween Chairman Gray, Lawyer Dick
son. counsel for the independent oper-
ators, and Mr.. Darrow. Chairman
Gray said the commission would con-
slider the matter of calling the presi-
dents for the stated purpose and II
the issue Is regarded as being before
the body, they will be called, other
wise the presidents will not be asked
to testify.
In asking the commission TO request
tie attendance of coal road presidents,
Mr. Darrow said: There has been
evidence offered here on the part Of
the operators for the purpose of show
ing that the miners have limited pro-
duction in the past year. We believe
the fact to be that the coal roads have
/ placed a limit on production for years.
SO long as they make the charge tothis
commission for the purpose of influ-
oncing it's decision ! want them to
bring into court for our examination
the presidents of the roads so that we
may find out the situation"
do you mean to charge or express
the belief" said Chairman Gray" that
there has been a limitation by the
presidents of the coal roads other than
the limitation that the market and
demand of the market Greater Con-
tinuing. the chairman said the deposit
of hard coal should be conserved for
the benefit for those who come after
this generation. and a wasteful, COM
petitive output is a serious thing.
| He said he did not know but what, in
some crude way, tho consolidation Of
these interests has tended to a more
economic management Of this store
house that Providence has given us
in this region"
Mr.. Darrow said in reply: Il do
not see that anybody could intelligent
ly consider this case without consider
ing that question. say It is unfair
to charge up to the miners that they
have been restricting the output when
It has been done by somebody else.
i "If the operator has the right to
conserve the coal fields, so has the
mine worker; and he has the same
right to conserve himself and his fam
lily and those who are to come after
him as has the mine operator. All
do claim is that it is unfair TO charge
US with a limitation of production over
q series of years and say the miners
do not earn more money because they
are lazy and have been limiting the
supply, when, in fact, the operators
have done IT,"
"The great difficulty in the control
Of the anthracite trade" said Mr..
Dickson, lis that the market will not
, take it regularly and equally through
out the year. The whole question is,
therefore, that the companies feel that
during 1901 and 1902 the men have
not been willing to take advantage
of all the facilities that were offered
10 them"
Assume that the question is strict.
ly between the operators and the mi
ners," said Mr.. Darrow, have the op'
! orators any more right TO say to the
miners: You shall not restrict the
number of cars you load, than the
miners have to say to the operators:
We will only load six cars '"
l Chaisman Gray said the proposition
/. was the same.
e "Then," said Mr.. Darrow, "has one
t operator the right to say it to an
other"
"No, don't think he has" replied
the chairman. He said also that he
did not believe the commission had
given the question Of restriction any
Serious thought.
Dir. parrow then asked that the
: commission request Messrs. BaeT, Har
, ris, Thomas and Truesdale to testif!
concerning the question under dis
v cussion.
e All Of the witnesses called yesterda.
S were examined by counsel for the mi
e ners, with a view of eliciting informa
x ton concerning the alleged restric
= tion of coal production.
= The Lehigh Coal and Navigation
s Company yesterday began the presen
tation Of its case to the commission.
The nine players of the Wilmingto
Z Whist Club holding the highest month