Evening journal., 1903-02-03
SUMMING UP TO
BEGIN ON MONDAY
Reading Ends Its Case Be
fore the Anthracite Coal
Commission
WILL FINISH NEXT THURSDAY

Philadelphia, Feb S.-The operators
yesterday finished the presentation Of
evidence to the anthracite coal strike
commission, and the afternoon session
was devoted to testimony in rebuttal
on the part of the miners. Much sta
tistlcal evidence was offered by the
Reading Company, showing in figures
the conditions existing in the mine re-
gions and comparing the prosperity OF
the mine workers and their children
with that OF persons engaged in other
occupations in various cities. w. w.
Ruley, head of a statistical bureau
conducted by the coal carrying roads,
was called to testify regarding the coal
production, the amount of the commod-
ity shipped, and the prices received.
The data, he said. was furnished by
the coal companies.
A. c. Wilson, Of PottsviIle, land
agent for the Reading Company, pre-
sented statements showing the prop
erty valuations and the taxes paid by
the company on it's property. Fl. I.
Newcomb. statistician for the inter-
state commerce commission, intro
duced tables showing the average an
nual earnings during 1901 of workmen
employed in several manufacturing
towns of the state. The statistics af-
fected AIS. $50 wage-earRers and the to-
tai of wages amounted to S2,21S,s49, or
an average of S462 a man. The average
in New York, witness said, was about
$5 higher, but in the New England
states the difference is immaterial.
The average daily earnings of anthra-
cite miners, witness said, are about
$2.05, making the yearly average about
$500.
Statements were presented showing
that in four counties in the hard coal
region the total bank deposits amount
to S5S,261 1896, or a per capita deposit
Of $3.50. In counties of the bitumin-
ous region the bank deposits are SAL
S2o,611, a per capita of s6O.40. In z
agricultural counties the total deposits
amount to s55, 1924, a per capita of
$77.33. In 4 counties of the anthracite
region the value of taxable property
was given as s215, 5S9, ,152; in s counties
in the soft eoal region, s244, ,5sS, 1876;
in counties in the agricultural dis
trlct, 1886, 6,O16, 2OS
J. J. Michner, in charge Of the Read
ing Company's telegraph Office here,
said that from investigation he learned
that breaker boys worked shorter
hours and received better pay than tel
egraph messengers and boys in depart
ment stores.
The presentation of these statistics
ended the testimony for the operators.
Mr. Wolverton. addressing the COM
mission. cited John Mitchell's arraign-
men Of President George F. Baer and
John Markle for charging the United
Mine Workers with responsibility for
"21 murders committed in the mine re-
gions." Mr.. WolvertOn contended that
such a declaration had never been ut.
tered by Mr.. Baer, and he referred tc
the official record for corroboration
In reply Attorney Darrow retorted thar
he had no recollection of Mr.. Bael
making such an utterance to President
Roosevelt at the conference preceding
the naming of the strike commission
but he was confident Mr.. Markle hat
used the expression, and the record
would so quote him. Reference to tn,
early proceedings substantiated thii
explanation, and the incident closed.
Counsel for the miners alss took oc
casien to deny the published statemen
that the union had withdrawn its de
mand that the miners in the Schuylkil
region be paid by weight. The deman,
for pay by weight, he said, did not af
feet the Schuylkill district where it Il
impracHcable.
The afternoon session was devote,
entirely to rebuttal testimony. R. J
Beamish, a newpaper man. was ealle
to refute the statements that a reig
of terror existed in the coal region
during the strike. A dozen men VIII
had been hired in this city to serve q
coal and iron policemen during tn
strike said the disturbances were fey
and of a minor character. Daniel 7
McKelvy a justice Of the peace Of Ha
zelton, testified that the striking mir
ers had offered to assist him in main
tanning order.
1t is expected that the sessions
this city of the commission will closet
a few days. The final sessions, ACCORD
ing to the present plans, will be hei
in Washington. Whether or not an
coal carrying railroad presidents wi
be called as witnesses is not dehnitel
known. It is also believed that Pres
dent Mitchell will not appear again b.
fore the commission, unless 1t is
Washington, when the closing arg
ments are made
Noted Indian Guide Dead.