The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-16

or eight cars, He said the miners told
hirl the union would not permit them
to load as many cars as formerly. He
cit,.c1 the case If a miner who had re-
ceiEed two cars more than the other
miners. The additional cars were TAX
en- from him by the driver and the lat
ter was discharged for the act. AS d
, result the driver struck for the rein-
statement of the discharged boy. Rob
ertSon said he was opposed to uoions
because they destroy dis ipline. He
said he knew Of only two cases Of the
disease known as "miHers' asthma" in
the mine at wllic! he was employed.
and expressed the opinion that mining
was not an unhealthy occupation.
At this point counsel Tor the Erie
company offered a letter sent by citi-
zeE5 Of Girlrdville. Pa. tn Governor
Stone during the recent strike, protest
ing against thu militia acting as escorts
to non-union miners. The letter was
mentioned during General CObin's tes-
timony several days ago and the COM
missioners had asked for a copy of the
communication.
William Zorn, n1inrr, told NV he
had been compelled 10 give up contract
work. He said he was engaged III the
work known AS ''robhing pillars" but
the driver refused to give him enough
cars, telling him he was acting under
orders from the president Of the local
branch Of the union.
Mr.. Mitchell cross~eyamined the wit
ness. He said:
When you took the contract YOU got
it by bidding, did you mott"
Yes
You had twelve or fifteen laborers??"
Yes"
'You required three men to fill ten
cars in a day and the union simply
wanted you to have the same number
Of ears rs tie other miners. Is that
Co~rect?''
Witness was not certain but was
positive the driver had told him the
president of the local would not per
nit him to have enough cars to con-
tinue She work
Mr.. Mitchell asked the witness if he
had done any of the actual mining I'M
der the contract, and Zorn replied that
he directed the operations.
L 4itII YOU NVlE IL nIltfAil ot'E-At''Ci
raii Mr.. Mitchell
Yes" replied the witness.
At this point President Mitchell ex-
planned that the union was opposed to
such contract work for the reasons
stated above,
Commissioner Clark asked Mr.. Mitch
ell if it was customary for such con-
tractors to furnish bonds and received
a negative answer.
What is their responsibility ask
ed Mr.. Clark,
THE same as that of an ordinary
contract MINER" was the reply.
NJ. P Blauvelt, auditor of the two
companies gave considerable statistical
testimony He said the mine labOrers
are not on the books Of the company.
They are paid by the contract miners
and their share is supposed to be one
third of the miners gross cravings.
Mr.. Darrow objected to the auditors
testimony on the ground that the COM
pany books do not show the division Of
the wages. He did not question the
good faith of the company, but believ-
ed the figures presented would not
show the exact conditions.
The opposing counsel argued the mat
ter at length, and Chairman Gray de-
cided to admit the evidence.
E. M. Beyea. land agent of the COM
panies, who was called to testify con-
corning the prosperity of the employees
of the Pennsylvania Coal company, said
9S9 or q $40 per cent, of the whole
number are assessed as property hold
ers, and 341 or IS per cent. of the Hill
side company's men are similarly as
sessed. The companies, Mr. Beyea said,
own building lots and sell the same TO
their employees on five year terms.
The Eri= company will probably fin
ish it's case tomorrow.