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| Coal miners in Hazelton, Pa., 1900. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, December 5, 1902.
INTERESTING WITNESS.
Mine Fireman Got $1.57 For a Day of 12 Hours.
HIS ASSISTANT WAS PAID $1.26.
Every Other Sunday Each of Them Worked 24 Hours—Father Hussie Said That Among 1,723 Taxpayers in Hazleton There Were Only 80 Mine Workers—Time Extended.
Scranton, Pa., Dec. 5.—At the session of the anthracite strike commission the representatives of the mine workers continued to call witnesses, mostly practical miners, who told their story of conditions as they exist in the Hazleton or Middle coal fields.
The miners tried to show by these witnesses that the Coxe and other companies had violated the agreement entered into by both sides when the commission was appointed that the strikers should return to work and be given their old places back where they had not already been filled.
Some of the witnesses testified that they were not given back their old places and maintained that men prominent in the union in the various localities during the strike were discriminated against.
The commission has decided to invite the mine inspectors to appear before them because the miners claim that the workmen fear to inform the mine inspectors of dangers or unhealthy places in the mines because the inspectors are usually accompanied by some representative of the company who may cause the man's dismissal.
Rumors of possible negotiations looking towards a settlement outside the commission continue to be heard. Several attorneys have returned to New York. Whether or not it is in connection with peace negotiations cannot be learned here. The opinion still prevails here, and rather strongly too, that the operators and the miners will agree on most points before the commission concludes its hearings.
W. H. Dettrey, who was on the stand Wednesday, was recalled at the opening of the afternoon session. He presented some correspondence that passed between himself and the Coxe company with reference to re-employment of 439 men who struck and were not given back their old places. Some of these men were subsequently taken back.
Jackson Ansbach of the Hazleton region was an interesting witness because he is the first fireman to appear before the commission. He said he received $1.57 for a day of 12 hours, and his assistant $1.26. On every other Sunday, when he and his assistant shifted from day to night work, they were compelled to work 24 hours straight without relief.
This statement caused a buzz through the court room and every commissioner straightened up and became more interested. In answer to a question put by the commission he said he was off duty one day every two weeks, thus working six days one week and eight days the following week.
Rev. James V. Hussie, rector of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic church, Hazleton, was the next witness. He stated that drinking among the miners was at a minimum during the strike.
"The conditions in the region," he said, "are deplorable. The mine workers are barely able to exist. I have been in their homes. They are not homes, but merely a habitation. They are frugal, conservative, reasonable and God-fearing people."
Families cannot be kept together, he said. The boys are sent into the mines almost as soon as "they are able to toddle out" and the girls are sent to the mills or drift to the large cities.
He related instances of poverty and said that it took one man six years before he was able to pay off a funeral debt of $200.
Father Hussie said that he had examined 50 or 60 mine workers and found that only three of them were able to save any money.
One was a Scotchman, one an Austrian and the third inherited money. He examined the tax lists of Hazleton, he said, and in a population of which perhaps 70 per cent was made up of mine workers, only 80 mine employes [sic] out of 1,723 persons assessed owned their own homes.
Andrew Matty was recalled to give more information regarding the alleged importation of Slavonians [sic] to the Coxe mines.
John Price, a check docking boss employed by the miners, a timekeeper and an engineer employed at collieries in the upper coal fields, were next called and testified that they were unable to get their old places back after the strike was declared off.
Price, employed by the Susquehanna Coal company, controlled by the Pennsylvania railroad, said that he and another boss were notified that they could not get work until the commission made its award.
Yesterday was set as the time limit for the coal companies to answer the submission made by the miners, but the Coxe company's time was extended until today, the officials of the company being absent and not prepared to make answer.
IN FAVOR OF RECIPROCITY.
Many Republican Senators Who Opposed Direct Legislation Will Vote For Treaty.
Washington, Dec. 5.—While many senators were and still are opposed to direct legislation by congress on the subject of Cuban reciprocity, some of them at least, and perhaps a majority among these Republicans, will vote to ratify a reasonable reciprocity treaty.
Senator Elkins of West Virginia, who led the anti-Cuban reciprocity forces in the senate in the last session of congress, had an extended interview with the president, during which they discussed Cuban reciprocity.
He informed Mr. Roosevelt that he would support a proper Cuban reciprocity treaty and expressed the belief such a treaty would be ratified by the senate soon after its presentation.
Such a solution of the commercial obligations of the United States to Cuba would be entirely satisfactory to Senator Elkins and many of his senatorial colleagues who opposed the enactment of direct legislation because they feared such action would open up a tariff controversy which in the view of strong advocates of the protection system might prove embarrassing if not dangerous to the Republicans.
President Roosevelt, it is understood, has received assurances from other senators who last spring opposed reciprocity legislation that they will support by voice and vote a Cuban reciprocity treaty.
INDIAN A LEGISLATOR.
Hon. Bear Tracks Republican Member of South Dakota House of Representatives.
Hot Springs, S. D., Dec. 5.—Bear Tracks will represent Fall River county in the South Dakota house of representatives, having been elected on the Republican ticket by a majority of 58 over his Fusion opponent, Capt. William P. Phillips.
Bear Tracks is the legislator's Indian name, and he belongs to the Oglala tribe of the Sioux nation. Ellis T. Pierce is his white man's name, and promises to be the most interesting character at Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, this winter. At the present time he is a barber in Hot Springs, but in his varied life of fifty-eight years he has followed many lines of business.
The most exciting period of his life, he says, was from 1876 to 1882, when he was a prospector and miner in and near Deadwood, when the placer mining in the hills was at its height. During those years be made and lost several fortunes, when it was as easy to do one as the other.
He has played poker with Wild Bill and was one of the posse that pursued that picturesque character's murderer. He has drunk with Calamity Jane, of whom he speaks as "Jennie," and as the sheriff of Custer county he organized the posse that pursued and finally captured "Lame Johnny," the notorious bandit and stage robber of the Black Hills.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Passing of the Copper-Toed Boot.
An observer of the progress of events and things notes the copper-toed boot worn by the boys of a generation ago have gradually and with no apparent public mourning passed out of the market. The boy now in primary school knows not the copper toe, and the young man just out of college knew it only through the older boy who once had a pair, but the country bred boy who is now a congressman or the president of a trust doubtless hears of its passing with regret.
To the scientific mind there is almost as much interest in accounting for this phenomenon as in explaining the extinction of the great auk or the dodo. The most plausible theory seems to be that the box toe and the extension sole hare taken away the necessity of the metallic re-enforcement. The sole put on shoes nowadays is so thick and the toe cap so strong that a boy can "scuff" and kick movable objects with almost as little damage to his foot as though his boot were tipped with metal.
FIRE SALE COMING.
Pearson Brothers Furniture Store Seriously Damaged
BY THE FIRE, SMOKE AND WATER.
Flames Started from a Wood Stove in the Finishing Room—Discovered Very Quickly and Firemen Got to Work on it Promptly—Considerable Damage Done—Insurance Covers Fire Loss But Not Loss of Holiday Trade.
Fire was discovered at 10 o'clock last night in Pearson Bros.' furniture store in the Sugarman building at 22 and 24 Main-st., Cortland. Fortunately it was seen in time to save the block from burning. As it is the whole stock of furniture was either burned or damaged by the smoke and water.
The fire started on the second floor in the finishing room, probably from a wood stove in which a fire had been left burning. The flames rapidly spread through this room and into adjoining rooms where furniture and materials were kept. When discovered the flames were darting out from all the windows in the rear of the block, and it at first appeared that the whole building would be gutted.
The fire was discovered by William F. Seacord, who had been attending the meeting of the Orris Hose company, and who left the meeting before its close to take a [trolley] car for his home. As he passed along Main-st, at Orchard-st. he thought he detected an odor of something burning. He went up Orchard-st. and met two women who had also noticed the smoke. When the rear of the block was reached it as plain to be seen where the fire was.
Mr. Seacord went at once to the Orris Hose rooms and startled the meeting and especially Mr. A. E. Pearson by saying that the store was all on fire. All hands went down the stairs to the engine room below and started the hose cart for the scene of the fire. An alarm was rung in at once from the box at the enginehouse, but before the bell ceased ringing the first call the Orris boys had a stream upon the building. The other companies all responded quickly to the call, and by well directed efforts the blaze was finally subdued.
It is impossible at the present time for the furniture men to get an accurate idea of the damage done by the fire, but they think it will be about $5,000, which is covered by insurance. They say, however, that they are losers to a large amount because their Holiday trade is almost entirely wiped away. All the goods that were in the store will have to be disposed of at once, as these goods would never do to put back in their general stock. Consequently the proprietors will begin the first of the week to conduct a fire sale of all their goods that were damaged by smoke or water.
In regard to a report circulated in some quarters that the fire would force the firm to discontinue business, Mr. F. L. Pearson said that he did not think it would. He said that he and his brother were of course young in business and that they could ill afford to meet the loss that confronts them, but they expected to pull through it and to be able to stock up again with new goods.
The building itself which was owned by Philip Sugerman of New York, formerly of Cortland, is not seriously injured, though badly smoked up throughout and greatly blistered in the vicinity of the fire. New paint and paper will be quite generally required. One ceiling was burned through and several windows were smashed. The loss is covered by insurance.
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| Joseph P. Cleary, Rochester Chief of Police. |
CHIEF CLEARY'S ANNIVERSARY.
Head of Rochester's Police Force—Brother of M. F. Cleary.
The Rochester Post-Express of Tuesday contained the following concerning the chief of police of that city, who is the brother of Mr. M. F. Cleary of Cortland:
Rounding out the thirty-sixth anniversary of his appointment to the police department, Chief Joseph P. Cleary spent yesterday quietly, accepting the congratulations of friends. The day had a double significance, for it marked the eighteenth anniversary of his appointment of chief of police. On Dec. 1, 1866, after his return from the war where he had fought gallantly in many battles and [had] been wounded, Major Joseph P. Cleary was appointed a patrolman. Mayor Samuel E. Moore, Jacob Howe and Henry S. Hibbard were the police commissioners who made the appointment. All three are now dead. In 1873 he was made a roundsman and three years later was given a lieutenancy. A few years later he was made lieutenant of detectives and on the death of Captain Sullivan in 1882, was appointed to succeed him. On Dec. 1, 1884, he was appointed chief of police.
ROSS-KINNER.
Former Cortland Young Lady Married in Cazenovia.
Miss Harriette M. Kinner, of Long Island City, formerly of Cortland and a graduate of the Normal [School] in 1895, and Mr. Charles H. Ross, of Jersey City, N. J., were married in Cazenovia, N. Y., Thanksgiving day Nov. 28 at the home of Prof. and Mrs. I. N. Clements.
The Cazenovia Republican says; Miss Kinner and Mr. Ross arrived in Cazenovia Thursday morning and were driven directly to Prof. Clements' where arrangements had been made for the wedding. Invitations had been sent only to Dr. and Mrs. H. J. Cull, the latter formerly an associate teacher with the bride.
At about 1:30 o'clock the rooms were darkened, and the contracting parties, both unattended, entered the parlor, the bride leaning upon the arm of the groom. The former was very tastefully gowned in white and the latter wore a Prince Albert. Prof. Clements performed the ceremony, using the ring service. After the congratulations the company sat down to a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross left the same evening for a short wedding tour. They will be at home to their friends in Jersey City, the eighth of this month.
Miss Kinner is a daughter of the late Mrs. Lena Kinner, who was for several years matron of the seminary. Miss Kinner is herself a former seminary student, and for two years a teacher in the primary department of the union school at this place. For the last four years she has been teaching in Long Island City.
Mr. Ross is a Pullman conductor whose run is between Washington, D. C. and St. Augustine, Fla.
CHURCHILL-CROSLEY.
A December Wedding in the Town of Scott Thursday Evening.
Chairman F. A. Crosley of the board of supervisors, who is in Cortland attending the annual session of the board, returned to his home in Tula in the town of Scott last evening to be present at the marriage of his daughter, Miss May S. Crosley, to Mr. Eddie Churchill, also of Tula.
The ceremony, which took place at 8 o'clock, was witnessed only by a few immediate relatives of the two families. Rev. E. E. Merring of Fayetteville, assisted by Rev. H. E. Crossley of Scott, performed the ceremony. The house was profusely decorated with evergreens, and the couple stood under an arch of evergreens. They were unattended.
Following the marriage ceremony and hearty congratulations of the guests a sumptuous wedding supper was served. The young people were remembered most generously by their friends in the form of presents of money and silverware. The father and mother of the bride each gave $100, and other large sums were received.
The young people are both very popular in the vicinity in which they live and they have many friends who will wish them a life of happiness together. They will make their home at South Spafford, N. Y.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Exemptions of Taxes May Yet be Due to Several Towns.
Nothing had been heard this morning by the supervisors from the Preble appeal. The county legislators now begin to shake their heads negatively whenever any one confronts them with an inquiring look. They seem to understand what is going to be asked, and they like to get out of it as easily as possible. Clerk Alger has even an easier manner of informing those who go to his desk seeking information in the matter, and as soon as the interrogator begins with ''Have you—" the clerk jerks a card from his pocket upon which is printed in large letters "No."
At the session this morning Mr. Barber of the town of Cuyler introduced a resolution, asking that the amount of tax that was levied and collected in the town of Cuyler last year in the valuation of the Lehigh Valley R. R. in that town be refunded to the town.
The amount of the railroad exemption claimed by Mr. Barber is $45,000, which he claims should be given to his town on account of the bonded indebtedness from the building of the railroad through the town. This exemption had been given the towns of Cuyler, Trnxtou, Cincinnatus and Cortlandville up to last year, when it was thought to have run the number of years that the exemption could be given and consequently stopped. Mr. Barber claims that the exemption is still in force and that his town should be reimbursed for the amount that was collected last year. He claims, too that the towns for Madison county, through which the road runs, are still getting exemptions upon the grounds that the towns were bonded for the road.
A committee of three, composed of Messrs. Barber, Kinyon and O'Donnell, was appointed to investigate with a view of ascertaining if the time has expired within which the exemptions can be made. If it is found that the time has not expired, the towns of Truxton, Cincinnatus and Cortlandville will get exemptions the same as will Cuyler.
NEW PASTOR HAS ARRIVED.
Rev. J. C. Auringer Ready for Duty at the Memorial Baptist Church.
Rev. J. C. Auringer, the new pastor of the Memorial Baptist church, has arrived in this city and will undertake his pastoral duties on Sunday. His home will be at 181 Tompkins-st., Cortland.
Just before leaving Whitney's Point, his former charge, a farewell reception was tendered him, concerning which The Reporter of that town says:
"The many friends of Rev. and Mrs. J. C. Auringer gave them a reception Monday evening in the Baptist church parlors. Choice refreshments were served and Mr. Auringer received a fine study chair from his congregation. Mrs. Auringer was presented with a beautiful china salad dish and Lowwell received a bread and milk set. It was with sincere regret that their friends bid them farewell but all unite in wishing them well in the future."
BREVITIES.
—Cortland Standard advertisements will help you to pick out Christmas presents.
—John Haskins, a well known horse dealer of Cortland, was in the city today on business.—Ithaca Journal, Thursday.
—Edward Ringer has engaged with the United States Express company and is taking charge of one of the express wagons.
—A two and one-half story brick house in Syracuse is being moved bodily 170 feet to make room for the new First Presbyterian church on West Genesee-st. It is not expected that even the plastering in the house will be cracked.
—The new display advertisements today are—The Scotch Woolen Co., Suits and overcoats, page 8; The New York Store, Gifts for everybody, page 8; G. H. Wiltsie, Waists, underwear, etc., page 4; McGraw & Elliott, Pipes, page 5.
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