New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-22

money raise IL by taxing the estates
OF the rich. II you Will but the Jnited
States must raise u some way
IAN evil Of philanthropy lies In the
fact that Its proposed benehclaries 'ee'
themselves placed in the light OF pau
pers. Thousands of persons are 700
proud 10 accept help unless they can
give something in return. Many OF
them prefer TO starvc. They want
help-money-but they want TO work
for II.
'In the scheme OF uplift in which Te
all are interested. I think. | believe the
workers are entitled 20 share IN the
profits in all Industries. This should pe
so arranged that the money could be
taken in bulk a. toe end % the year
and deposited 20 their account IN
banking institution. II that were done
II would change conditions in thou-
sands and thousands Of homes.
Workers. in the mass, do not under
stand how TO save. My method would
teach them. II would be the same as
teaching a child 20 read and write. The
people in this country. who have built
up fortunes in the last ten or fifteen
years have done it because they have
been thrifty. Many are poor because
they did not save. Sometimes, OF course,
fortune comes without thrift, as in the
case Of the son OF worthy or unVor-
thy sire. The sons Of the rich. in many
cases. are entitled 20 great sympathy.
though ! would not say as much sym
patty as the poor"
Mr. Guggenheim closed his testimony
By stating that the pension system IN.
creases the efficiency Of the men. and
that his companies are run on the open
shop policy.
Edward j. Bervind was the next Wit
ness. He is president Of several big
coal companies which have thlrty-hve
mines in Pennsylvania and West Vir-
gnia, employing between 10000 and
Il 1000 men. The owners are the officers
and directors Of the companies.
Answering the question Of his policy
in regard to the welfare OF his en-
ployes, he said:
Considerate Of Employees.
"Our policy is to be as considerate
OF their welfare as is consistent with
the opposition we have 10 meet. lr the
event Of a complaint we investigate,
and II the grievance has basis II -
carried 20 a conclusion and rectlhed.
We have no contracts with labor or
CARNATIONS and never have had. We
have reason 20 believe that some Of
our men belong to unions. but there
is no scrimination either way on the
union question
Mr.. Berwind is a big man. but not
bulky. He appears to be a few years
younger than Mr.. Guggenheim. who is
rather small and slight. In the eyes OF
ka4 Of 10 IL MIN Z. a
Both were easy and graciously self
confident in manner.
Mr.. Berwind was asked whether many
visits were made TO the mines by him
and the other officers of his companies.
we keep in touch daily with the
mines" he said. "by mail and tele-
graph. Some Of the officers are con-
stantly visiting the mines. / do not
90 as often as ! ought to-
About the knowledge of labor condi-
! tons enjoyed by directors, he said:
Generally. the directors Of most in
! dustrisl companies are not familiar
with labor conditions. personally
look into labor conditions, but ! do not
think il desirable that directors should
personally interest themselves, for that
would lead 10 confusion. Reports can
/ be laid before them. Most directors
/ are not competent 10 draw plans sf-
/ fecting labor matters
What should be the length Of a
working day in the mines?"
an the coal mining business we pay
| By the ton. and the hours are really a
matter Of the miners own wishes. Nine
! hours a day would be all right; il
would not be too much. Unskilled
workers in our mines can earn from SO
70 S. a day every day in the year. A
coal dgger's hours should be about
eight day.
"In the matter of compensation for
injuries We comply with the broadcast
ideas. the very broadest. and our stand
ard is very fair. | think we enjoy
that reputation. Our relations with oul
people are very satisfactory. We pay
so cents a ton. That is the rate. While
we have no relations with the union
that is the rate they fixed.
Homes for Coal Miners.
"Our desire is 20 ct men who will
work certain number of hours each
dav. A miner should work about seven
or eight hours day, at least. The
drivers and bumpers work about nine
I think. believe the living conditions
OF our miners to be better than in most
mines. We build houses for them, and
they are at liberty to purchase them
outright OF on the instalment plan. We
| charge a minimum rent"
Have you ever had a strike
owe had one az Westmoreland
Penn, three or four years ago and q
short hold-up three years ago at the
Cambria County mine
Commissioner Weinstock asked Mr.
Berwind why he was adverse 10 labor
unions. This question excited the wit
ness. He leaned forward IN his chair
and spoke decidedly.
Labor organizations are not properly
directed BY their leaders, especially in
industries which include foreign and
unskilled workers. Under limitations
think that the labor unions may be a
benefit, and il would do harm to abolish
them unless very rigid labor laws, APP