Evening journal., 1903-03-23
MITCHELL PLEASED
WITH THE DECISION
Says That on the Whole 1t
Is a Victory for the
Miners


cision of the anthracite coal strike
commission is on the whole a decided
victory for the miners, and / am
pleased with It," said President John
Mitchell. of the United Mine Workers
of America, In an interview Saturday
night. THE anthracite miners OF Penn
sylvania have reason TO be much
pleased with the commissions awards,
and am sure that they are" he said.
In reply to a question as to whether
the miners were given as much as
had been hoped for, Mr.. Mitchell an
swered after an instants deliberation:
Il do not care TO say"
"The most important feature of the
awards" he continued, rs of course
the Increase of 10 per cent. given the
miners. This will result in an annual
increase in the wages of the 100000
anthracite miners of Pennsylvania OF
$4,000, coo. The sliding scale provided
for by the commission is very salts
factory, inasmuch as a minimum Of
$3.50 per ton Is fixed. With white ash
coal at $3.50 per ton at tidewater the
increase provided for In the sliding
scale will be equivalent TO 20 per cent.
more on the miners wages
President Mitchell was asked If he
was disappointed because the commits
sion did not recognize the union for
mally. and he replied that he was not,
because the decision Of the commits
sion and Its awards we're In themselves
recognition of the power and influence
of the United Mine Workers.
after the increase Of wages given
the miners" said Mr. Mitchell. "the
most important OF the awards, from
the miners standpoint are the ones
fixing a ninehour day and providing
for board of conciliation. Tho award
gives a nine-hour day with ten hours
pay directly to 10000 men, and practi-
cally all of the other employees of the
anthracite mines VIII get q nine-hour
day by reason of their comrades
shorter hours. The provision for a
board Of conciliation will result in
great good. and l am much pleased
with It. II will compel investigation
of both sides of controversies between
the miners and operators and bring
the employers into closer relation
ship With their men. VIII the miners
stand by the commissions report and
awards? They unQuestlonably will"
Operators Say Coal VIII Be Higher.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, March %. The
coal operators of the Wyoming Valley
are Of the opinion that the award made
by the strike commission is going tc
increase the cost OF taking coal out Of
the earth to a greater extent than ap
pears on the surface. The shorter
hours granted the engineers, flremen
and laborers will mean the employ.
ment of more men, and this In turn
means an increase In the pay roll.
AS nearly as can be estimated the
aggregate increase in back salary 10
the miners will amount TO $4,000, 900.
James i. Lonahan, one Of the princi.
pal attorneys representing the United
Nine Workers during the sessions of
the strike commission. says: "The
award is a sweeping victory for the
miners. and the union is practically
recognized. Through the efforts of
President John Mitchell the miners
have succeeded in obtaining an ad.
vance of 20 per cent. in wages during
the past two years"
Lackawanna's Divided View.
Scranton, Pa. March 2S-The award
does not meet with full favor with
local miHe workers and their officials
because it failed on the question OF
weighing coal, the principal issue in
their six months strike The execu
tive officers who were at headquarters
regard tAs method 0ff providing q
board Of conciliation as meaning that
the organization would through It be
come the medium for settling any dis
pute which might arise. Outside OF
the points as to weighing coal and re
cognition, the award was favorably re
garded.
Anarchy Without Coal Police.
Pottsville. Pa. March 23.-To the
Schuyllill operators the most astonish
ing feature of the strike commission.
report was the black eye given TO tho
coal and iron police All the genera
officers of the Reading Coal and Iror
Company here expressed the opinion
that the abolition of the company's DO
licemen would mean anarchy IN tn.
coal regions.
Men at Hazelton Dissatisfied.
Hazleton. Pa, March 23.-While tn,
report Of the commission was eagerl,
scanned by the miners, It can be sale
that it does not meet with the univer
sal approval that was anticipated. par
ticularly as far as the miners are con
cened. President Dettrey, however
regards the award of the commission
30 far as based on the demands of tn,
United Mine Workers, as very good
he also believes that the recommen
dations for the settling OF future trou
bies will bring an additional advanc,
IN wages to the class Of workmen thai
are entitled to It,
Convict's Novel Testimonial.
Trenton, N. j.. March 23.-A uniou,
document appeared in the state prisol