The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-23
Mine Workers President Accepts the
Invitation Extended by Cow
ernOr Durbin.
UNUSUAL DEMAND FOR FUEL
ANTHRACITE SHORTAGE INCREASED
SOFT COAL CONSUMPTION.
Mr.. Mitchell Piled with Questions by
Members Of Com missiOn-Blame
Cannot BE Fixed.

Governor Durbin's efforts to learn the
cause of the shortage in the coal supply
in Indiana have been successful He has
found it to be due to the condition arising
from the necessity for a greater amount
of coal for consumption here; the severe
climatic conditions; the failure of the rail-
roads Of the State to carry the coal mined
from the colieries, and the shortage in the
supply of coal created by the strike of the
anthracite coal miners in the fields of
Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia
last summer.
Practically conclusion of the investiga-
tion was reached yesterday after Governor
Durbin and Senators Hendee, O'Brien and
Ogborn, and Representatives Cantwell,
Sayre and Scifers, members of the joint
legislative committee which has been CO.
operating with the Governor. heard the
statement of John Mitchell, president of
the United Mine Workers of America, who
attended the conference and gave the COM
mission his views of the causes of the pres
ent coal famine.
Mr.. Mitchell was invited by the Governor
to attend the conference that his state
meht from the viewpoint of a representa-
tive miner might serve to INFORM the COM
mission. He accepted the invitation cheer
fully and stated his pleasure at being of
any assistance to enlighten the people of
the State on present conditions. At O. clock
yesterday afternoon Mr.. Mitchell visited
the Governor at his Office and was received
by Senator Hendee, who introduced him
to his colleagues and finally to Governor
Durbin, who, not waiting for an introdrc-
ton, said:
How do you do, Mr.. Mitchell? When
say how do you do it means that we have
met before and do not need to be intro
duced. L am glad TO see you and hope you
are in good health"
Mr.. Mitchell thanked the Governor and
inquired after his health. He said the
until then he could hardly say that he
could rest but things are beginning to run
smoothly. and he is no longer as busy as he
was during the summer.
MR.. MITCHELL QUESTIONED
After the formalities of introduction had
been exchanged the commission began it's
work. Mr.. Mitchell was invited to be seat
ed and was informed of the purpose of the
organization by Governor Durbir.
"Mr. Mitchell, we have had the coal mine
operators before us, we have had the deal
ers, the representatives of railroads that
transport the coal, and, finally, the editors
of the indianapolis newspapers, who know
so much about the coal famine, and have
learned nothing which can base any
criticism Of any one. There are many
things we would like to know about the coal
situation which you can probably tell US.
We have asked you TO come to US and tell
us what you think, and before you begin
want say to you that as anxious
as We were when We began to find out
something. Now, IL you will fill our coal
bunkers. or tell US how we can fill them. we
will be greatly obliged to you"
Governor Durbn also stated many in
stances of testimony already heard for Mr..
Mitchells information and suggested TO
him that he give his opinion Of them at his
convenience.
Mr. Mitchell said he could not give much
specific information about the Indiana coal
supply. He knew of the condition of the
market i'm a general way and knew prob
ably more about the situation from the
miners standpoint than those persons who
had already appeared before the commits
sion. MY time has been pretty much oc-