Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
OPERATORS TURN NOW
Non-Union Men Close Their
Case.
@. G. ROSE A WITNESS
HE DETAILS THE CONDITIONS
PRIOR TO 1900.
Declares the Relations Between Miners
and Employees Were Cordial
at That Time.

PHILADELPHIA, January 1O-The nom
union men having closed their case, the
coal companies opened their side of the
controversy today before the strike COM
mission Chairman Gray is still confined
to his home in Wilmington, suffering from
a cold and General Wilson again presided.
The proceedings were opened today by
the Delaware and Hudson Company
through its counsel, James II. Torrey of
Scranton. In presenting the case of the
company he represents, Mr.. Torrey first
delivered address, indicating what the
company would try to prove.
Upon the conclusion of his address Mr.
Torrey called to the witness stand Charles
c. Rose of Scranton, superintendent of the
mining department of the company.
Under the examination of Mr.. Torrey, the
witness said that prior to the 1900 strike
the relations between the company and the
men were cordial. After that strike most
of the company's men Joined the miners
union, which resulted in considerable dis
content among the men, and the breaking
up of discipline in and about the mines. In
some coHierieS the men are required to
load $500 pounds to car, in other mines
ESQ pounds At one collery the weight is
liked at =, $50 pounds. The size of the cars,
he said differs at various colleries. So
far as he knew no blacklist exists in the
anthracite regions. The witness also stated
that 1t would be unwise to have weekly
pay days The men, he said now lose twice
as much time with semi-monthly pay as
they did when they were paid once
month.
Letter From President olyphant.
Mr.. Rose concluded his testimony by pro-
ducing letter written to him by President
Olyphant of the company after the strike
ended. The letter told him to stand by the
mar -hn
strike. He was instructed to warn those
employees to be careful. and "if reviled re-
vile not against Regarding the returning
strikers the letter said: Give them a good
led"
The communication also instructed the
superintendent to take back all men where
places could be found for them, but no man
should be taken back who had been guilty
of committing crime.
On cross-examination by counsel for the
miners Mr. Rose said that prior to 1900 the
contract miners earned $3.50 to $3.50 a year
Mr.. Rose said he considered eight hours a
fair day for the miners but fremen should
work twelve hours. While the law permit
ted twelve-year-old boys to work on the
breakers, he did not think boys of tnat age
should be there. Two years ago e did not
thinlssthe 10 per cent increase given the men
was fair, but he had since changed his
mind. He could not however, reconcile
himself to the increase now asked for by
have voluntarily paid the increase In 1900
II the men had remained at work
Division of the Wages.
Replying to a question by Commissioner
Watkins, Mr.. Rose said it was not neces-
sary for the miner and his laborer TO go to
saloons to divide their wages, as alleged by
the miners The company would give them
Q room where the division could be made.
In reply to question by President Mitchell.
MI Rose said the miners are putting less
coal in the cars now than they did two
years ago. Mitchell replied: You have the
power TO dock them, haven't you?'
we nave. but We don't fully exercise it,"
was the reply.
Abel l. Culver of New York controller of
the Delaware and Hudson Company, was
the next witness. He had the complete ray
rolls of the company, which, he Informed
the commission were absolutely correct
Mr.. Culver was still on the stand when
recess was taken.