Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-31
JUDGE GRAY IMPATIENT
Chairman of Strike Commission Used
Strong Language to Witness.
NOT SATISFACTORY
markie Expert Failed to Explain u
Widow and Son Were Compelled to
Work Out Fathers Debt-other In

Widow and Son Were Compelled to
Work Out Fathers Debt-other In
teresting Testimony.
Philadelphia, Jan. 2s.-Considerable
progress was made yesterday by the
anthracite coal strike commission, and
the independent operators will con-
clude their cases today. The Reading
Company will follow and will occupy
the attention Of the commission dur
ing the remainder Of the week.
The g. 3. Markle Company conclud-
ed its case with the testimony Of p.
Edward Ross, public accountant, who
has audited the accounts of the COM
pany for the last 10 years. Mr.. Ross
asked permission to correct some of
the figures contained in the company's
answer, and when the corrections
were made most of the amounts given
as average wages were reduced. The
figures, witness said, were the net
earnings OF contract miners and the
average for 10 to IL and one-half
months was 1854. In some cases min
ers had earned more than $1,000 In
one year, but this, he said, was ex-
ceptional.
He was asked to explain the state
nent vi Mrs. Michael Burns, who had
testified to the commission that her
husband had died indebted to the COM
pany, and that, although she and her
son had both worked for the company,
they were unable to liquidate the debt
for a number Of years. The witness
answers were unsatisfactory, and,
Chairman Gray, becoming impatient,
said:
"Of all things in the world, get a
professional accountant who can't see
anything unless 1t Is in a column of
figures. Let us get at the facts that
underlie the bookkeeper's statement.
Do you know whether the boy or his
mother received any money from the
company during the time specifed?"
81 don't know" answered the wit.
ness.
Addressing the company's counsel,
Chairman Gray said: This man
doesn't know anything about this
case"
81 think that is hardly fair" re.
sponded the lawyer.
81 do not usually resort to strong
expressions Of opinion without rea-
son." returned Chairman Gray. "This
man knows only what his figures
show"
did Mrs. Burns boy receive wages
In cash during the four years he work.
ed?" Chairman Gray asked.
81 don't know. feel certain, how
ever, that he did.
But this did not satisfy Judge Gray,
who insisted on positive and definite
evidence, and. after undertaking a
brief but sharp cross-examination of
the witness. the Judge concluded that
Ross could not explain the situation
satisfactorily, and passed over it
do you know how the accounts of
this family were kept?" asked Com.
missioner Watkins.
Eyes; they were kept on the store
books"
Mr.. Darrow, counsel for the miners,
objected to this explanation He in
sisted that the credit given Mrs. Bruins
represented the labor OF her son for
four years.
THAT is not So" responded the wit
ness. "Markle & Co. charged Mrs.
Burns with but $40 during the four
years her son worked Every cent Of
the rest Of her big debt was forgiven
her"
Albert c. Leisenring, superintendent
OF tha Upper Lehigh Coal Company.
said the relations of the men end EN-.
ployes have always been cordial. He
was asked II he had determined to
permit his mines to I'LL with water
rather than grant the eight-bour de.
mand Of the men.
I'VE prefer not to break the classi.
fed rates." he said.
ais that on your own account?" he
was asked, and he replied: mot on
our account"
Witness further said committees of
the men are always welcomed by the
company, and that he believed such
meetings to be beneficial to both
parties.