Evening journal., 1905-04-10
PRESIDENT BAER
TALKS ON MINING
He Discussed Problems That
Confront the Coal Com
panies
RESigTS lLL INTERFERENCE


aod employees Of the Philadelphia and
Rzading Coal and Iron Company 10
Pottsville TO hear a lecture by Presi-
dent George F. Baer. The lecture was
delivered in the Academy Of Music,
and marked the close OF series OF lee
tufes which the company has had de-
livered to its employees during the win
ter. These lectures have been on
practical topics, embracing instruction
on first aid to the injured and every
phase of practical mining.
At his start Mr.. Baer got right down
to the meat Of things by laying down
the problems Of the coal industry, as
follows:
''The public wants cheap fuel.
"The miners and workers want high
wages.
"The owners want a reasonable
profit on their investment This sim
pie statement at once discloses an ir-
repressible conflict ! regret to say
that the coal company managers lot
IS not a happy one Il Is not materi
ally improved by giving him the bar
rem title OF Coal Baron
"The public has a high appreciation
OF either our incompetency. or Of the
difficulties besetting MS, because Il isl
forever advising us how 10 manage
our business. There are our friends,
the newspaper fraternity, who to meet
public expectation, are compelled to
be at all times oracles of wisdom as
to the rsany things they know nothing
about They are expected to know all
about mining and selling coal. and to
be always amazed at the stupidity Of
our management Then. there Is the
disinterested altruisuc walking dele
gate. who though he tolls not, neith-
er does he spin, is delighted to exer-
else a benevolent supervision over
both capital and labor.
I'VE receive little praise. but much
censure from the big and little states.
men and politicians, who give no EN-
ployment and pay no wages but ex-
change sympathetic talk and-promises
for votes
There Is still another class OF wise
mesr, willing to aid us: the emotional
reforMcrs and idealists, each one OF
whom believes himself competent to
make n better world than He who in
the beclnn'ns cr,otod it and pronounce
ed it good
"Rcl7tiycly cecil deep 10 the ground
ir Of no moro uso until Il is mined and
prepared fer consumption than is the
wasto ho.d which needs to be plowed
and -0gnl3 piqirce food.
'ie r.icro is 90 obligation on the
farMsr ,o elltivate his field and pro
drcc 'cod To be. sold at a loss, be-
cause tao public needs food so there
can Pc no obligation on owners OF
coal m.ncs ~ operate them at a loss
because ihe public needs fuel
"rut somo one win say that these
netural PROJECTS. Ike oil and coal.
should belong 70 the state for the
benefit Of an the people. Has It ever
occurred 10 you that If the state own
ed the coal mines. the work incident
10 mining the coal and marketing "a
would siill havc 90 be done in exactly
the same way as we are doing It, and
al a greater oost2 How much more
per ton would the public pay for coal
If government officials. with political
pulls and tho accustomed graft and
notorious incniciency of state and mu-
nicipai management. conducted the
work which you are doing? What
mathematical rule do you know equal
10 It's solution? Would it be an arith-
metical or a geometrical progression2
I'VE co-worSors number over 10000
souls. We have our various duties
assigned. Unless we work in harmony
we cannot accomplish good results.
There can be nc. outside influence nor
tribunal to control these things. The
discipline must rest where the respon-
sibility rests II the captain of ten
finds q co-worSer Indifferent. careless
or insubordinate. he must discharge
him. because he is responsible for tho
men under him This power. which
can never be surrendered. casts heavy
responsibility on those who exercise
It. u must be done fairly and Justly.
not in passion or personal pique. not
70 favor or 10 oppress men by reason
OF social. religious or political afllia.
tons but simply 10 secure efficient
service in the work 10 be done.
Many good people believe the state
should regulate hours and conditions
Of labor In our anthracite coal opera.
tions and in some arbitrary way. oven
fix the price. Anthracite coal is al
ways a favorite theme for criticism
One would suppose it was the largest
industry In the country. DID YOU ever
think how comparatively insignificant
It is2 The hen industry far exceeds
It. The value Of eggs produced bv the
diligent hens is. yearly. twice as great
as the value of anthracite coal. A Mn
waukee newspaper recently asked.
How would it 90 10 have a state CON.
mission TO shncrintend the laying OF
eggs. in orier that a uniform size and
price Gay be obtainod2' Il would. pe-.
haQs be as practical as the modern
clanor for government supervision OF
.he business of the country.
"Iou AID T. charged with the duty
OF tho coal mines, need not bother
ourselves about adverse criticism. We
have work 70 perform: let us do Il
honestly. energetca.ly and sknntilv.
and, If necessary. courageogsly. aaa
then let the wicked rage and imagine
vain th.nrs'"
Girl Struck by Train on Bridge.
N'ilacsbarre Pa, April 10. Kate