The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-11-15

vened this commission, but it was of
men and the concerns throughout
the land within the borders OF this
State who have been more reckless
in the management and conduct of
their mines, that has made 1T neces-
sary for the Governor to act.
7 Now, we are not here to find FAINT,
to abuse one side or the other, but
only to ask this ommissfon-there
are hundreds of instances to which
we could point in this State that
would make horrible reading for the
press, but the State of West Virginia
is bigger than us all; the miners
don't want it, the operators don't
want it. We can all in conference
among yourselves as Commissioners,
get information from representatives.
of miners throughout the State, You
can arrive at your own conclusions,
and gentlemen OF the commission,
in parting, we want to say that the
miners have formulated and present.
ed their demands. You do with
those demands as in your judgment
you feel you should, but when you
have that due regard as contemplate
ed by the Governors call as to hui
man life in this state, I dare say you
are not only going to recommend
the amendment offered, but you are
going to recommend to the Governor
more stringent legislation effecting
both the operator and the miner
than we have in this State, and re-
quire more rigid enforcement of
them. When that is done. then II
passes over to the Governor and
through him to the Legislature.
want to thank the Commission
for the patient attention they have
given us. / want to thank Mr.. Paul
Tor the kind invitation he has given
us to come. In the utmost good
faith we have come and presented
these demands which we feel are
reasonable, which we feel are just.
A good law can hurt no man who
himself wants to abide by the law.
am much obliged to you, Mr.. Chair
man, and as very much Obliged In
deed to the commission for the pa
tent attention with which they have
listened to this, and l trust that in
parting we viii all feel as we have
done all we could on both sides to
give the Commission that informa-
ton it wanted, and that there will be
no i'll feeling, but will all in after
life meet upon common level where
we can shake hands and remain as
friends and citizens Of great and
important public in magnificent
State.
Gentlemen, these things stare this
Commission in the face. There Is
something wrong and radically
wrong as evidenced by the fact that
two hundred lives have been sunffeC
out in this State in one year.
MIR. JUDY spoke as follows:
MI. Chairman, if you will indulge
me just moment, l have heard
remark made here several times to
lay-I think it was unthOughted-
aot fury considered, that in thi:
meeting the operators had failed tc
present any proposition whatever
Now. ! would say in that connection
his: that almost Immediately after
we came here the grievances or re
port of the miners was presented.
ond almost two days have been &C
cupied in considering that report
That report, as l understand it, pref
ty fully covers the points of differ
ance, and l think it has been full,
discussed on both sides. I would
only say this, that do not think /
is proper that the report should go
out over the State that the oper;
Sors refused to discuss the matter, or
to present any matters looking for
the betterment of the law, because
think they have. I think the
proper discussion came out in tbs
matter presented by the miners, ant
| only make these remarks to set the
matter right.
Now, in conclusion. Mr.. Chairman
| want to say this: that this Commits
sion invited the miners and opera
| tors here for the purpose of getting
their views and exchanging views, fc
! The end that this commission might
more intelligently act and report
and before we adjourn, l as one o.
| the members of this commission
want to move that this commission
extend to the operators and the min
ars who came here at our request
| our sincere thanks for their atten
dance and for the very pleasa man
! ner in which the question has beer
| discussed.
! MIR. NUGENT:
Mr.. Chairman. for fear my re
| marks in connection with that, a.