Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-30
Rather Than Give Recogni-
ton to the Union,
SAYS A READING BOSS
STATEMENT OF WAGES BEFORE
STRIKE COMMISSION.
Paymaster Jones on the Stand Greater
Part Of the Forenoon
Session.

PHILADELPHIA, January 30. Adam
Boyd Of Shenandoah. a division superin-
tendent of the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron Company, continued his tes-
timony when the coal strike commission
opened its sessions today.
On cross-examination by the miners coun-
sci the witness said the company would
rather let its mines drown than give recog-
milton to the union.
Several Of the company's mines were
flooded. If the steam men had not been
intimidated. he said. there would have been
no difficulty in keeping the workings free Of
water.
Jacob P. Jones Of Pottsville, paymaster
Of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iron Company. presented to the commission
statement showing the annual earnings
OF the contract miners at the Reading COM
pany's Bear Ridge, Good Spring. Kohinoor,
Potts. Raper. Indian Ridge. Preston, Rich
ardson and Turkey Run collieries.
Annual Earnings.
These were selected by the commission
from the thirty-seven collieries for the
purpose Of preparing wage statements.
The statements show that "a men who
worked an average of 265 shifts during 1901
earneds1 600 and over; 81 worked 254 and
earned from $500 to 81 1000; 40 worked 240
and earned $500 to 5000; Sc worked ga and
earned 500 to $500; 100 worked 23o and
earned $500 to 500; 1SS worked PA and
earned $500 to $500; 40 worked $50 and
earned $500 to $500; 1876 worked 143 and
earned $500 to $500; 100 worked 105 and
earned 500 to $780, and 9O1 worked an aver
age Of % and earned less than 500.
Mr.. Jones also presented statement
giving the earnings for 1901 Of the men who
are paid by the day, week or month. and a
statement showing the workings Of the
miners and laborers' beneficial fund from
the time 1t was organized by the late
Franklin B. Gowen. in 1877. down to date.
When the fund was started the company
contributed 10000 and 1t has made up all
defclts whenever any occurred, and also
pays all expenses for clerical work In con-
nection with the fund. Nearly 100000 has
been paid out in benefits. he stated.
Long Cross-Exanination.
Mr.. Jones was subjected to a long cross
examination on the statement Of the aver
age wages OF the contract miners. It de-
veloped that the commission selected seven
collieries from which to make the average
wages, because the task Of going over the
thirty-seven collieries would be too great.
These collieries were Bear Ridge Kohinoor,
Draper Indian Ridge Preston No. 3, Tur-
key Run and Maple Hill.
The Reading company dropped the latter
colliery from the list because it was too
hard to get the average wages in that place
on account of the difficulty in obtaining the
names of the many Slavs employed in that
mine.
In place of Maple Hill the company added
Good Spring, Potts and Richardson col
lieries. three mines whose individual aver
age Is above the general average OF the
whole thirty-seven.
Counsel for the miners then pointed out
that the nine collieries rank as follows in
the company's list Of tinrtyseven: First,
second. third. fourth, fifth. tenth, twenty
first, twenty-fourth and thirty -fourthi
therefore, six Of the nine collieries selected
are above the general average.
To Show UnreHabiEty.
Counsel. In order to show the unreliability
Of averages, took Indian Ridge colliery as
an example. The average annual wages of
thu miners at this oolliery were $652S2. &C.
cording to the company.
Counsel for the miners showed that 400
men figured in this average and that only
twenty men. or per cent. got the average
OF $652-S2. or more, and that 4I6 men, or
90 per cent, received wages under that
average.
Chairman Gray called attention to the
fact that of the 496 men. 3S8 worked an av-
erage Of only Is 4-10 days during the year.
This, he said, should also be taken into
consideration.
The witness said that ITO men worked
full time and received an average Of 1898
for the year. II all men had worked full
time they would have received the same
wages.
Commission Witness Loses His Job.
The next witness was John q. Davis
mine foreman Of the Potts colliery. It
was testified several weeks ago that q
miner named ]. P. Clark had lost his posi-
tion because he testified before the commits
sion at Scranton, and Davis was called to
give his version Of the story.
1t developed that Clark was suddenly
called to Scranton and did not have time
to notify the foreman, and on the third day
Davis filled his place. When Clark came
back and told where he had been Davis re-
fused to take him back because he had
filled his place.
Chairman Gray here interrupted and
said: Mr.. Davis, we are very sorry that
man by reason Of testifying before the
commission should lose his place. We don't
think 1t Is just right"
The commission asked Supt- John Veith
TO reinstate Clark and he said he would