Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-30
THE COAL STRIKE HEARING.
The Big Companies Take Up Cues
ton of Weighing Coal.

piid ~ iAsdulllS coal and Iron Co., the
last of the large ccal companies to pre-
sent its case to the coal strike commits
sion. took ", the time Of todays ses-
sion of the commission.
At the afternoon session announce.
ncnt was made that the mine workers
and the Reading Cos. officials had
agreed that the weighing of coal in the
Southern coal fields is impracticable
This settles. so far as this field is con-
cerned. one of the principle points in
dispute. 1t is still a bone of contention
III the middle and upper regions Most
of the contract miners in the South
ern fields are paid by the yard.
Simon P. Wolverton. the Philadelphia
" Readings leading counsel, presented
to the arbitrators in book form all the
communications that have passed be-
tween the mine works their organiza-
ton and the coal operators.
The first witness was John Veith of
louisville, general mining superinten-
dent of the company. Mr.. Veith gave
brief history of his experience as a
miner and stated that he had been in
his present position for 70 years. There
are under him four division Superin-
tendentS and 10 district superintend-
ents. Owing to the steep pitches of tine
veins in the Readings mines most OF
the coal mined by the men is paid for
by the yard. The miners health. COM
pared with the health of men in other
occupations were favorable. Improve
ments to the mines are, always going
on which make them healthier for the
men. Speaking of the discipline of tna
men Mr.. Veith said the employees arc
not so obedient as they We're prior to
the advent of the union.
Mr.. Veith stepped aside TO permit the
st. Clair Coal Co near Pottsville to
present its case. This is the last of the
Independent operators to be heard. V"
II. TAYLOR. president of St. Clair Co.,
opened his case by reading Il statement
in answer to the Mine Workers &C.
mand.
The company has 81 collieries ana
employees abou. $4,000 men. Of these
5000 to 5000 are miners. The witness
gave technical description Of the
varying conditions of the mines and
told of the differences that were in the
way of paying all miners under one
system under his company's rules the
miners have the privilege of working
in any other colliery of the company.
If q miner. he said, is unable to earn
living wages, it is the rule of the com-
pany to give the men an allowance.
The employees have right to appeal
to him if they feel that adjustments
made by the district or division super
intendents are not adequate.
The Reading does not maintain CONS
pany stores or employ company doc
tors he said, neither has it Il docking
systems. Some of the Readings coal
veins are 60 to 70 feet thick and us
much coal has to be left in the mine In
the form of pillars to support the ROOF
as is taken out These pillars are ar
terward robbed" and in many cases
the roof falls in. When this occurs
much Of the coal is lost forever.
Mr.. Taylor presented the wages
statement of his contract miners af-
ter which Mr. Veith was recalled and
cross examined by the miners coun-
sci. The witness said the company
PAYS its miners $2.32 a day, Out of
this the miners pay for their oil, cot
ton, TOOLS etc, all of which, he said,
Gid not amount to much. He did not
consider mining extremely dangerous,
and added that many accidents are
due to the negligence of the men
themselves.
Chairman Gray interrupted to say
that negligence of the men should not
ne taken into consideration in judg-
ing whether the occupation is or is
not dangerous.
THE average human being he said,
lis more or less negligent in his work"
of t1a afternoon
sion. Mr.. Wolverton, for the Reading
CO.. announced to the commission that
a conference held during the noon re-
cess between John Neith. general
mining superintendent of the Philadel-
+; phia and Reading Coal and Iron Co,
/ and George w HARLEM. secretary of
district No. . of the Mine MARKERS
| Talon, it was agreed that the weigh
! ing of coal in the ninth district. which
comprises all of the Southern coal
| fields is impraeticable because of the
pitching Veins. Most of the coal
mined in this region is paid for by the
yard This settles, so far as the lower
fields are concerned. one of the prin-
cipal issues still in dispute in the mid
die and uDper fields
| John Mcguire of Pottsville. formerly
a state mine inspector. but now a di-
! vision superintendent for the Read
| ing Co. said he knew of no blacklist
in existence at the Reading collieries.
An S-hour day. he said, would have
the effect of reducing the output. He
aid not think an S-hour day would in
I; crease the intensity and efficiency of
llabor in and about the anthracite coal
mines. as is maintained by President
Mitchell.
i Dennis Curley and Thomas Horey.
| miners Of Girardville, told of how they