Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-08
OPERATORS Oppose
public DISCUSSION
Anthracite Producers Urge Sc
creoy in Submission Of
Wage Schedules
NO DECISION Is REACHED

Scranton, Pa, July S.--Strong op-
position to not only the submission OF
exhibits, seven In number, dealing with
the alleged monopolistic control and
profiteering in the anthracite industry
during the last five years, but also
the public argument when the adyis-
ability OF the presentation OF the
hgures and evidence would be thor,
oughly discussed. was put forth by coal
onerators at sessions OF the Anthracite
Mine Commission here yesterday.
The effort Of the mine owners 70
withhold all figures from the public
which might show the revenue and In
come. OF the various companies re.
suited In the first executive session OF
the commission at o'clock in the aft
ernoon.
The executive session was held to de-
termine whether another executive meet
ing would be conducted this morning,
at which time the argument on the
submission by the United Mine Work
ers OF the exhibits would take place.
Going behind closed doors, members OF
the commission, 8. ID. Warriner. OF the
resenting the operators, and Philip Mur-
ray, international vice president Of the
United Mine Workers, representing the
workers, talked and wrangled for forty
five minutes.
Cross Examination to Continue
At 8 AT o'clock DR.. w. o. Thompson,
chairman Of the commission, again took
bis seat on the bench and announced
that no decision had been reached and
that when the commission reconvenes
at 10 o'clock today the public Cross
examination Of W. Jett Lauck, econo-
mist and statistician Of the mine work
ers, by Mr.. Warriner would be con-
tinued.
''The commission has ruled at this
time that the public cross examination
continue. and there will probably be an
carly adjournment tomorrow. when a
final decision on the public argument of
the jexhibits in controversy will be
made Chairman Thomson said.
The Lauck exhibits in controversy
are:
First. Relation Of wages to cost Of
production, profits and prices.
Second. Profits of anthracite coal
mining companies.
Third. Wholesale and retail prices
Of anthracite coal 1918 1920.
Fourth. Freight rates and cost of
transportation of anthracite coal.
Fifth. Operating and financial per-
formances of anthracite railroads.
Sixth. Combination in the anthra-
cite industry.
Seventh. Cost of producing anthracite
coal at the mines in March, 1920.
Not for Public, Warriner Says
Shortly after the session of the COM
mission opened Mr.. Warriner, for the
operators, requested that the meeting
this morning be executive. After
some discussion, International Vice
President Murray, speaking for the
mine workers, agreed to the proposal.
Later, following conference with other
leaders of the miners, Mr.. Murray with
drew his consent to the proposed ex-
ecutive session.
Mr.. Warmer, in opposing the re-
quest Of the mine workers that the ses-
sion be open, said: p. .-... ..
I'VE are not trying our case before
the public. The public is not interested
in these extraneous matters. This is
matter for the commission, not a
matter for spreading in the news
papers,"
A great part Of both sessions yester-
day was taken up in the cross -examina =
tion of Mr.. Warrfner, of W. Jett LauclS
as to the accuracy of figures contained
in Exhibit 3 pertaining to irregu
larity of employment in the anthracite
industry. His prediction that there
would be decrease of 20 per cent in
working days during the next two years,
and Exhibit 8, covering average full :
time weekly earnings in the anthracite
coal mines of Pennsylvania.