Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-23
WHO IS Responsible!
Debate Before Strike Commits.
sion on Apparent Shortage
in Supply of Coal
MITcHELL's REQUEST uNHEEpEn
Testimony Was Introduced to Effect
That Miners Were Making No Extra
Efforts to Produce More Coal But
Representative Of Miners Made
Strong Argument Against Operators.

Philadelphia, Jan. 23.-The question
of who is responsible for the apparent
shortage in the supply of anthracite
coal was the subject OF considerable de-
bate yesterday by the attorneys repre-
senting the parties before the strike
commission. It was testified to that the
miners are not opeying President
Mitchelrs request to make extra efforts
10 produce more coal to relieve the sit
uation. This was followed up by James
II. Torrey and Everett Warren, both OF
Scranton, who represent several of the
large companies, challenging the cor
rectness OF Mr.. Mitchellis statement
that 5000 men are idle and ready 70 go
to work.
C. S. barrow, for the miners, replied
that he would show that 1T was the
GENERATORS and not the men who were re-
sponsible for the shortage In the pro-
duction. \
"If I don't" he said, Il will ask the
commission to find against US.
The Lehigh Valley Coal Company
closed Its case yesterday, and the Lee
high s. W~ilkesbarre Company con-
snmed a few hours in presenting it's
evidence. This company closed shortly
before adjournment. and the
cnt operators Of the upper region theh
took up the operators side OF the CON
troyersy. It is expected the hearings
will last ten more DAYS. The commas
sion informed the attorneys on botn
sides Yesterday afternoon h q 1t would
like them to confins their f1nal argu-
ments TO about four or FIVE days. Inc
lawyers will agree among themselves as
ia the division OF time. The miners
want half the tint. allowed by the COM
mission.
Several district superintendent and
mine accountants were heard and unen
Mr.. A. II. McClintock. for the Lenigh q
W~ilkesbarre Coal Company, read an
elaborate address. setting forth the SIT
uation from his c~on;pany's standpoint
During the afternoon several witnesses
were called for this company, their tes-
timony being practically IN line Win
that OF Attorney McClintock. Superin
tendeut Morgan said the output OF coal
has not increased since president
Mitchell requested the miners to cut as
much coal as possible In order 20 re-
lieve the coal famine.
The independent operators OF n up
per. or wyoming and Lackawanna, re
pions followed the Lehigh & Wilkes
barre Company in presenting theil
case. There are about thirty OF these
concerns in the upper territory repre-
scented before the commission, and an
| opening statement on behalf OF all o.
them was made by III. G. Reynolds, OF
|Scranton, one Of the sttorneys. Among
other thinAs he said:
"For the most part u product has
been sold directly to the various auxli-
liary companies Of the railroads. W.
have had nothing to do with fixing the
nrice at which our coal should be sold,
and have been Obliged to accept such
part Of the price obtained at tideWater,
where the coal brings less upon the av-
erage than at my other place, as we
were able to secures
1--WE have suffered the losses incl
| dent to an over-supply upon the mar
lket, and have sought compensation
which would minimize competitive ad-
vantages OF our rivals In the state, who
have enjoyed substantial privileges MOI
necessary to discuss here. but appre-
ciated by the observer.
I'VE believe an advance in wages al
this time is unwarranted. and that to
do SO will at once encourage exorbitan'
demands in other directions, which,, y
granted, would place a new burden up
on the shoulder OF the consumer.
1--WE hope to prove that the hours o.
labor at the mines are now too BRIEF
and We contend that the compensation
has been. and is now. axed by an Eco
nomical law which serves to secure
them wages which have been and an
the near future will be favorable to
their interests"
IN conclusion, the statement says the
system OF paying by the car has befn
In practice many years; that no IN
herent injustice appears In the pay
ment1by the car. and we believe 1t In
advisable and dangerous to make a
change at this time by a uniform rule
EEFaraG