The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-17

To our amazement, the civic federation,
for reasons OF its own. was never con-
vened to hear our report. We had a
right to expect that the gentlemen OF
the civic federation would deal honest
~ and justly by Us, and by their coun-
sci and advice and influence help to
avert the great disaster. which. in all
its ugliness, is now before US. They
deserted the ley had espoused y
Mr.. Baer gave a comprehensive ac-
count of the difficulties and expense en-
tailed in the production Of anthracite
coal. Concerning the he eX-
pressed the belief that the evidence on
the wage question justified the position
OF the operators. Continuing he sd d.:
81. The testimony clearly shows that
the wages now paid are fair wages:
that they compare most favorably
with the general wages of the country
and that men willing to work honestly
and exert themselves, do earn annual
ly, sums in excess OF the average
80. The fact that there is an excess
of labor in the anthracite regions. con-
firms our theory that the wages are
high as compared with the general
wage scale of the country, because
every r knows that labor is attract
ed to the place where wages are high
est.
"3. If the wages are again advanc-
ed, then instead of diminishing the ex-
cess Of workmen, it will be increased
by new workmen coming to this field.
Something has been said about the op-
orators importing foreigners. l eve
heard of it before. These foreigners
come here because of the reports made
by the men already here of the improV-
ed conditions. M they will continue to
come so long as such exceptional ad-
vantages are offered. Me demand for
an S-hour day is only another form Ct
increasing the cost of production. 1t
must be apparent TO every one that re-
stricting break operations TO eight
hours per day, must necessarily l nit
the output OF the colliery, n to that
extent must not only decrease the wage
fund. payable to the miners, but it VII
decrease the supply to the public and
tend to increase the price of coal.
After reviewing the Old sliding scale"
wage system, Mr.. Baer presented this
proposition: THAT the rate Of wages
now paid shall be the minimum bass
for the next three years, that from the
first of November 1902 to the first of
A'Oc. az OAipl'y 80, lAlO M
contract miners. shall be paid an add
tlOnal five per cent. That on and after
April l, 1903. for each five cents in ex-
cess of $3.50 per ton on the average
price realized for white ash coal in the
harbor of New York, on all sizes. above
pea. wages shall be advanced 1 per
cent. the wages to rise or fail l pr
cent. for each five cents Increase or de-
crease in prices; but they shall never
the present basis. The average price
the present basis. 1.-The average price
for each region to be ascertained by a
competent accountant, each operator to
submit a full statement each month to
said accountant of all sales of viii e
ash coal, and the prices realized there
from, fob New York"
Laying down his address and survey
ing the commissioners, Mr.. Baer aid
that in disputes between capital and
labor, the general public is largely in
sympathy with labor. 1t is human.
he said, and a good trait in the race,
TO sympathize with the weak against
the strong. and therefore, Il can fino
no fault with the criticisms, though
they are harsh, that have been made
against U.s." President Raer grew sar-
castle as he told in detail Of the nego-
tiariOns before the civic federation.
The operators pocketed their pride, he
said. and met in q church building
where were present some dist guished
men. Some were bishops and some
dressed like bishops"
He pictured the members of the fed
Grafton sitting around putting good
cigars" and not saying a word, while
he and Mr.. Mitchell tried to get to-
gether. Speaking slowly n deliber-
ately. he arraigned the federation for
not giving the operators and the miners
representatives. the small courtesy" of
hearing the report of the committee
appointed by these two sides, nor did it
have the manly courage to further
help the parties in contest.
In the same sarcastic vein he paid his
respects to Henry Demarest Lloyd, of
Chicago. who delivered an argument
before the commission in favor of trade
agreements.
Mr.. barrow in opening made a COM
plimentary reference to the patience of
the commission. reviewed the strike,
and all the sufferings it entailed and
said: Il hall apologize fer none of
the mistakes of the men. but l do say
it does not come from their to
call them criminals"
He went in TO tell of the operators re-
fusal to give the men more money, AND
said: las a consequence of this aet
147. 900 men lay down their tools OF
trade and we have seen 800 Q meE,
women and children reduced TO want
and starvation for six long months
We have seen the president of the Unit
ed Stats appoint this commits on .
settle this difficulty and then this AT
ternOOn. in the last of this proceeding
the ma more responsible than any
other. comes before this commission
and says we will do exactly that which
these men demanded nine month before
and which they in their blindness. then
Ignorance and their stupidity refused
Whv did not Mr.. Raer go to Mr.. JOIN
Mitchell nine months ago as he came
TO this commission today?'
You can do just as you please about
recognizing the union. If you 10 not