The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-12
Much Testimony as to Opera
 lion of COnmissaries
COMPANIES CHARGE HIGHER
Miners Prlma FaGie Case clOsed-Mr. Mcoueen Testifies That Company Stores Make Less Than
 IS Per Cent Profit.

The interest in the proceedings of the miners wage scale and contract arbitra- ton commission Is unabated
 When Judge George Gray of Delaware the chairman, called the commission to order yesterday morning every chair in the council chamber at the city hall was taken and a large number of interested spectators were standing, eagerly listen ing to the testimony of the witnesses and the arguments of the counsel for the re- spective parties. At the afternoon ses- sion the crowd was even greater than in the morning.
 Several witnesses were called on behalf of the miners. to testify as to the prices paid in the eommissaries or companies stores, and the custom of selling time checks by the miners.
 Scope of Inquiry.
 The question of the scope of the inquiry as to how far 1t would go in taking up the terms or covenants of the contract be- tween the miners and operators was also discussed at considerable length. Judge Gray will decide the matter this morn- ing. The miners closed their prima facie case and the operators began to put in their testimony.
 There were many prominent operators, miners and disinterested citizens, so far as anyone can be disinterested in mat ter of such for-reaching importance who were in attendance throughout both the morning and afternoon sessions.
 
 Rapid Progress.
 From the present indications, and the celerity with which witnesses are dis posed of, and discussions brought to close, 1t is said by those in a position to form an opinion that the whole work of the open sessions will be brought to close by the middle of next week. It will then only remain for the commission to render It's decision. It is hoped by both sides that this may be accomplished by Saturday, August 22
 Morning Session.
 The second days session of the arbitra- ton commission was called to order by Judge Gray at 10 o'clock.
 Adam Pow of Wylam was the first wit ness produced by the miners.
 He testified as follows: I am miner and have lived at Wylam for ten years. l trade at the Tennessee companys com missary. trade there by the month and when I pay my bill I pay S5 to s71k cents on the dollar. Formerly we used to buy miners store checks and pay our own bills with them and so gctting the dis count. Up to months ago we got checks A Aft know why they give discounts. I suppose the companies do it to get trade. l don't know that there is any difference in prices after getting the discount between the companys store and other stores in the town.
 Book System.
 Some time ago the Tennessee company stopped issuing checks. They established book system. never saw one of the books Bills are settled about the fifteenth of the month The books issued by the company wepe said not to be transferable. The checks were sold In open market. I have bought the checks as low as 50 cents on the dollar It is said the book system is done away with now. The checks are sold for S5 cents on the dollar or less. The Tennessee company intro- duced the check system in lieu of the book system. When my wife went to bank of Ensley a week ago. she bought checks for 75 cents. She was told that the officials of the Tennessee company had bought up all the checks. It might have been agents of the company. Don't know whether in their individual or official capacity They said at the bank they had sold $2500 worth to the company. I know Schwabacker. an agent of the Tennessee company, who used to buy up the checks. He told me he was employed by the com pany and that was the general under standing. Until week or two ago the Tennessee company's checks were for sale on the open market But in the last week or two I have been told the Tennessee company had issued new transferable check called a white check. When I bought $50 worth of blue checks received a white check among them. The com missary would not take 1t and had to go back and change 1t for blue check
 Coal Checks.
 The Tennessee company gives coal cheeks to the miners. good for load of coal The company will discharge a man who sells this coal check. The company sells coal to miners for $2.OO and to out siders for s3.50.
 The company prevents sale of the coal orders so that miners get cheaper coal.
 Question Asked.
 By Judge Gray-So this rule is a pro- tection to the miner, 1t 1t not? It pre-