The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-17
BAER HAD The FLOOR
He Reads His Argument Before the
Strike Commission.
CHALLENGES MINERS CONVENTIONS.
Conciud's His Remarks by Submitting
Wage Proposition and Severely
Scores the National Civic
T Federation.

Philadelphia. Feb. 12.-With the ex-
pectation of hearing George F. Baer,
president of the Reading company,
make the closing argument against
the demands of the miners the largest
crowd that has yet jammed into the
United States circuit court room was
present when the coal strike commits
sion opened its session. Former Con-
gressman Wolverton. the principal
counsel for the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron company. con-
cluded his argument. Mr.. Wolverton
presented an array of figures tending
to show that the average earnings Of
the contract miners OF the Reading
company are higher than the average
contract miners of most of the skilled
workmen of the state. He also op-
posed the demand for an s-hour day,
because II would reduce the output OF
| the mines. and also would reduce the
present wages of the men. Reverting
| TO the wage question, Mr.. Wolverton
said that II an increase in wages is
decided upon 1t should not be hori-
=
scale basis
| When Mr.. Wolverton concluded Mr..
Baer read a carefully prepared argu-
ment
President Baer conceded the right
Of men to organize for any lawful pur-
pose. Combinations of capital and la
Dor, he said. each must keep within
L. h4 10 oxrla IN, hn
regions, he held, was the direct result
of mistaken theories as to the rights
of mine workers, and the leaders OF
the organization he held responsible
for the situation they created. He
charged that the leaders intended to
enforce their demands by threatened
destruction OF the mines. well know
ing that II pumping ceased the mines
would be destroyed. The public is
now suffering for want of fuel. due to
the cessation of work in the anthra.
cite fields for five months.
Continuing. Mr.. Baer said. many
good men have found fault with us for
not making an agreement with the
United Mine Workers of America. All
.
in convention with a view to adopting
a uniform scale, Fhe conditions OF
employment are not always the same
Our chief objection to this organiza
ton was that II was a foreign organ
ization, interested In a rival and com
petitive business. We never could see
the wisdom Of permitting the bitum
/ .f,,n 20 int hnr 81
into the anthracite mining situation
II has proved to be just as mischiev
Gus as we believed 1t would be-"
Mr. Baer contendad that the United
Mine Workers have created a monster
monopoly. To support the strike thol
taxed the bitumihous miners anC
members of other labor organizations
Owners of bituminous mines. he aver
red. also contributed to the strik'
fund. in the hope of gain. The resul
was that the prices Of both hard ant
soft coal mere than doubled. to th'
great suffering of the public. The rec
ords show, said Mr., Baer. that ever.
honest effort was made to show th'
miners that their demands for a uni
A
Civic Federation Scored.
Mr.. Baer continued: I'VE me
them. as they requested, before tn
National Civic Federation of Labor
and discussed the whele situation. A
the suggestion of the civic federation
q committee of our employees an
operators was appointed to furthe
consider the subject and report TO
meeting of the federation. to be calle
by its chairman, When we parted.
was with the distinct understandin
that we should report to the civic fec
Grafton the result of our conference
To our amazement the civic federt
ton. for reasons of its own. was neve
convened to hear our report. The
deserted the cause they had espou!
ed" The speaker contended that tn
testimony offered the strike commi!
sion justified the position of the Coz
operators.
Mr.. Baer then presented this propt
sitioRi "That the rate OF wages no.
paid shall be the minimum basis fo
the next three years; that from n
1
!, 1903. for each cents in excess {
$3.50 per ton on the average priC
: realized for whits ash coal in the ha
!, Dor OF New York. on all sizes aboy
pea, wages shall be advanced ] ps
~ cent: the wages to rise or fall l pC
= cent for each cents increase or d
crease In prices, but they shall nevt
fall during the next three years belo
the present basis. The average priC
for each region to be asceriained
competent accountant. to be a
10 pointed by Judge Gray. chairman
:, the commission. or by one of Il
% United States circuit judges hoIulr
n court in the city of Philadelphia"
~ Laying down his address and SUI
n veying the commissioners. Mr.. Bs
,e said that in disputes between capt.
In and labor the general public is large
in sympathy with labor. II is huma
he said. and a good trait ia the race
sympathi1e with the weak against d
N strong. and therefore. II can find !
fault with the criticisms. though III,
a are harsh. that have been ma
3 against US"