The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-19
THE RISE IN WAGES
Col. Phillips Of the Laokawanna
Says It Has Been As Per Cent :
Since 1877.
Interest in the Proceedings of the
Anthracite Commission Is
Waning.

/ Philadelphia, Jan. 19.-That interest in
she proceedings Of the anthracite strike
commission is waning was strikingly
illustrated to-day when the commission
opened its thirty seventh days session.
There were eighteen spectators present,
more than half Of whom We're witnesses.
OF the twenty-five lawyers representing
the coal companies only five We're in at
tendance and only one of the nine at
torneys- for the miners was on hand
when the proceedings began.
Colonel H. A. Phillips, general superin-
tendent Of the mining department of
the Lackawanna, testified that the COM
pany never heard any complaints against
the paying Of the men by the car instead
OF by weight until the advent of the
United Mine Workers. He said it makes
no difference whether the miners are paid
by the car Of by weight so long as the
rate paid is fair. The company, he said
never had any trouble regarding wages
until the union came into the field.
Colonel Phillips said the contract min
ers now cut only five or six cars
Of coal each instead Of six or seven as
they did previous to the strike in 1900.
In consequence the company, he said.
has to employ 10 per cent more men now
than 1t did two years ago in order to gel
out the same amount Of coal.
The men at the company's mines have a
benefit accident society. After the 1900
strike the society was dissolved and
Immediately reorganized. This was done,
he said, to keep out the nonunion men,
who were ''black balled.''
From 1877 to 1900 the relations between
the men and the company were pleas
ant and during that period there were no
strikes. The wages Of the workmen, he
said, were voluntarily increased IS per
cent. Including the increase given as {
result of the 1900 strike, the wages Of the
men have been increased 45 per cent
since 1877.
The witness said the miners are in the
mines on an average of six hours a day
which Is contrary to the rule established
by the company requiring the men te
remain under ground until noon.
He said the miners had in no way beer
restricted and that the company was wei
equipped to handle all coal blown down
Because of the restrictions by the unior
the men could not make any more money
now even with the 10 per cent increase
than prior to 1900.
Under the semi-monthly pay rule. Col
onel Phillips figured that the production
Of the Lackawanna company had beer
curtailed about 1S5, 900 tons a. year. This
he said. is due to the men failing to re-
port on the day following payday
The witness told Of the union men coins
on strike last May at the Jersey mine a
Plymouth. This mine has been on fir
for year and men told the witness the,
would rather remain and fight the fire
but as general strike had been called
they would have to quit or be called
'scabs.' These men, the witness said
were working eight hours a day and re-
ceiv1ng ten hours pay.
From the best reports obtainable HI
learned that so per cent of the I.ackawan
ma men had voted against strike anc
lhat 40 per cent of the local unions hat
voted unanimously against a suspension
of work.
Richard Walsh, miner. said he coul<
not earn as much money as he did tw,
Years ago. because the union restricts thu
earning capacity. He produced due bilf
showing that he earned from s42 to So
every Two weeks since the strike ended
He said he only worked two or tire,
hours a day.