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| Breaker boys, Pennsylvania Coal Co. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, January 14, 1903.
WOULD RAISE AGE LIMIT.
Mr. May Wants Boys Under 16 Kept From Mines.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLIERIES.
Testimony of Physicians—Most Dangerous Mines in the World—Contract Miners Average Six Hours a Day and Pump Men 12—Accidents Due to Fall of Roofs.
Philadelphia, Jan. 14.—Having occupied nearly three days in calling witnesses to testify in opposition to the demands made by the anthracite miners, the Delaware and Hudson company closed its case before the coal strike commission and the commission's attention was then called to the conditions existing in and about the collieries operated by the Erie company. This corporation manages the Hillside Coal and Iron company and the Pennsylvania Coal company and its counsel before the commission is Wayne MacVeagh of Philadelphia and Major Everett Warren of Scranton.
Dr. Fulton's testimony admitted on cross examination that the anthracite mines are more dangerous than any other mines in the world with a very few exceptions in the far west, where new mines are being opened.
Dr. W. E. Keller of Scranton, a medical examiner for life insurance companies, said he had made 3,973 examinations of persons above the age of 13 years. Of these 794 were mine workers and only 37 were rejected, none of them on account of miners' asthma and only one for rheumatism.
This concluded the Delaware and Hudson's case and the Erie company then opened its side by having Major Everett Warren read a brief opening statement of what the company intended to prove.
On concluding his statement Major Warren submitted the charters of the Hillside Coal and Iron company and the Pennsylvania Coal company and read extracts from the laws of Pennsylvania and from decisions relating to the weighing of coal. He said the claim of the miners for a ton of 2240 pounds is impracticable for physical reasons.
Captain W. A. May of Scranton, the general superintendent of two companies, told of the improvements made in and about the collieries during the last 25 years, these tending to make the occupation of the miner more healthful.
He spoke of the efforts of the company to improve the condition of its employes [sic] in other directions, such as giving them a chance to purchase their own homes, and allowing them three months to pay up the back rent which accumulated during the strike.
The company never restricted the men in the number of cars they should load, and the contract miners averaged about 6 hours a day.
Speaking of the steam men, who work 12 hours a day, Mr. May said the pump runners do not have to work hard; that some hoisting engineers have a hard task, and that the fireman's duties are not onerous. The night engineers have easy work.
In answer to questions put by counsel he said there was no reason for a miner who is industrious to send his boy to work in the mines and if he had his way he would make the age limit for boys in the mines 16 years and outside the mine 14. The law now is 14 and 12.
He further stated that most accidents in the mines are due to falls of roofs. Many of the accidents were due to carelessness of the men. Captain May was still on the stand when adjournment was taken.
Sereno Payne.
Report of Coal Committee.
The report of the ways and means committee submitted to the house by Chairman Payne, after recommending the passage of the coal rebate bill, says:
"This is an emergency measure. Precedents for such legislation are found in the Chicago fire and the fire at Eastport, Me. In these cases congress rebated the duty on lumber used in rebuilding the burned districts. Whether legislation will increase the importations or reduce the price of coal is a question on which men differ. But it is all congress can do in the premises and will satisfy the demand of many of our citizens. While there is a threatened coal famine in any part of the country we can not turn a deaf ear to the cry of the people.
"The committee did not consider it best to make any changes in the tariff on coal, after the period of one year had expired, preferring to bring in this as a purely emergency measure and not desiring to go into the question of tariff revision, even upon this one article. If any relief can come to the people from such legislation it will be amply secured in the period provided for in the bill."
PAGE FOUR—BRIEF EDITORIAL.
Oil as Fuel.
Taking as the thermal unit the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, Professor Norton finds that anthracite coal is to be credited with from 15,000 to 16,000 heat units per pound; bituminous coal with from 14,000 to 15,000; coke with from 10,000 to 11,000; charcoal with 12,000; peat with 10,000; coal-peat briquettes with from 10,000 to 13.000, and kerosene and gasoline each with from 20,000 to 25,000 heat units per pound. Kerosene is thus seen to be the most effective natural fuel that is to be found.—Philadelphia Telegraph.
A NARROW ESCAPE
For Rev. L. J. Christler and His Sister from Fire.
FORMER RESIDENTS OF HOMER, N. Y.
House Was Full of Flames When the Clergyman Wakened and Reached the Door—His Brave Dash Up Stairs After His Sister—Both Overcome by Smoke Fall Unconscious on Way Out and Both are Rescued from Death by an Unknown Stranger.
Rev. Leonard J. Christler, assistant rector of St. Peter's Episcopal church in Auburn, N. Y., formerly rector of Calvary Episcopal church in Homer, and his sister Miss Jessie A. Christler narrowly escaped death in a fire at their home in Genesee-st. in Auburn at an early hour yesterday morning. Thanks to the bravery of the clergyman and of an unknown friend both the minister and his sister were saved from certain death.
It was about 5 o'clock yesterday morning when the unknown [man] was walking along Genesee-st. and as he neared the Christler home he saw the house was brilliantly illuminated. He looked again and saw that flames were bursting from the upper portion. From all appearances the whole interior of the house was on fire and the occupants were not yet awakened. With stentorian tones the lonely pedestrian dashed to the home and began banging on the door. Just as it was quivering beneath the force of his assault Mr. Christler staggered to the door and threw it open. He was in a semi-conscious condition from the fumes, but the rush of cold air revived him and his awakened faculties told him that his sister was in danger. With a rush he returned and dashed for her bedroom. The opening of the door had also furnished a draught and the flames burned with redoubled violence. Long tongues of flame shot after the young curate as he ran up the stairs to his sister's room, and he was himself enveloped in fire. Nothing deterred him, however, and on entering her room he found her unconscious. Picking her up in his arms, Mr. Christler started down stairs, but the smoke was too thick for him and when half way to the bottom he became unconscious and brother and sister rolled to the bottom. The unknown stranger had remained at the door shouting for help, and when he saw Mr. Christler and his sister fall he dashed bravely into the fiery furnace and picking up the girl carried her to the next house, that of Dr. J. M. Jenkins, where she was tenderly cared for. Returning with all speed he grasped the unconscious curate and bore him also in safety to the Jenkins home, where he too received medical attention.
All of this had taken place before the residents of the vicinity had appeared, most of them waiting to don suitable attire before venturing forth into the freezing air. The fire department was summoned by telephone and when the firemen arrived the house was burning fiercely. It was a tinder box and went fast, but the firemen made a gallant fight and saved the lower portion. In the upper story were all of the personal effects of Mr. and Miss Christler, but they were covered by insurance. The fire is supposed to have started from an overheated chimney.
Both Mr. Christler and Miss Christler recovered during the day, but they have not yet thanked their unknown preserver, as he quietly left after he had made the rescues and no one knows his name.
OIL STOVE OVERTURNED.
Rare Opportunity for a Big Fire at W. R. Cole's.
There was a slight fire yesterday afternoon at the home of W. R. Cole, 146 Main-st., Cortland, with a rare opportunity for a one of much larger proportions. The latter was prevented by the presence of mind and activity of Mrs. Cole at the critical moment.
It was just before dark and Mrs. Cole was sewing in the front room up stairs,[sic], while her little daughter Margaret, 3 1/2 years old, was playing about. As the day was very cold an oil stove was burning in the center of the room to furnish additional heat. In some way Margaret backed against the stove and upset it pouring the burning oil out upon the carpet where it spread in all directions, flaming up to a considerable height. Mrs. Cole gave one spring and carried the child out of the room. Then she dashed to a closet and pulled down from the hooks anything that was woolen which she piled upon the flames to smother it. Rose blankets and bathrobes followed each other in rapid succession. Some small rugs came next, then one large one snatched from the floor of an adjoining room. This was effective. The others had checked the flames, but this rug covered everything all up and extinguished the last vestige of fire. Mrs. Cole was not burned in the least in any of her efforts. The damage will not exceed $100 and is covered by insurance.
Mrs. Coles fear was all the time she was fighting the flames that the stove would explode but it did not. It was fortunate that Margaret's clothing did not catch from the stove as it went over, and a bit of hesitation or the delay of a single minute in attacking the flames at the outset would have meant a great deal of damage with probably the destruction of the house.
A JOINT INSTALLATION.
Cortland and Homer—Banquet Follows—A Binghamton Speaker.
A joint installation of officers of the Homer and Cortland lodges of the Ancient Order of United Workmen was held in Vesta lodge rooms last evening. Nearly one hundred members of the order were present and a most enjoyable occasion was afforded.
After the exemplification of the work of the order by District Deputy Eugene Woodworth and staff, a banquet was served and following this an impromptu toast list, with M. E. Sarvay of the local lodge as toastmaster. Among those who responded were Mr. Henderson of Binghamton and Master Workman Owen Nelly of Homer.
A union installation of officers of all the lodges of the county was to have been held, but owing to the inclemency of the weather and lack of facilities in returning home after the meeting, Truxton and Cincinnatus lodges did not attend, and the Homer lodge was the only one represented.
Before returning home the Homer lodge challenged Cortland lodge to a bowling contest, and this was accepted. Messrs. R. L. Davis, Harry Swan and Bert Van Buren were appointed as a committee to arrange for the contest.
The following officers of Cortland lodge, No. 351, were installed:
P. M. W.—R. L. Davis.
M. W.—R. B. Innes.
Foreman—M. E. Sarvay.
O.—Dr. E. M. Santee.
Recorder—C. W. Saunders.
Financier—George I. Watson.
Receiver—H. J. Baker.
Guide—W. E. Blanchard.
I. W.—Clarence Swan.
O. W.—E. J. Callen.
THE COUNTY FAIR.
Dates Are Fixed, but Annual Meeting is Adjourned.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Cortland County Agricultural society, that was called for this afternoon at 2 o'clock in Fireman's hall, was adjourned until Jan. 31, at the same hour and place. No business was transacted today as there was not a majority of the stockholders present. Officers will be elected at the adjourned meeting.
The dates of the fair for this season were announced for Aug. 25, 26, 27 and 28.
CITY TAXES
May be Paid Within Thirty Days to the Chamberlain.
City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber has received the tax roll of the city and will collect taxes for the next thirty days without additional fees. His office in the Schermerhorn block will be open for receiving taxes from 9 a. m. until 4 p, m. on all week days except Saturdays when it will from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m.
Lehigh Valley railroad depot, Truxton, N. Y.
TRUXTON, N. Y.
Run Over by a Hand Car—Result of Peculiar Accident.
Truxton, Jan. 12.— Mr. Elias Parker, a section hand in the employ of the Lehigh Valley [railroad], narrowly escaped being killed as the result of a peculiar accident which happened to him Saturday. Parker together with several others who are employed on Section 47 were coming from Cuyler to this place on a hand car. Parker was sitting on the front of the car holding a broom in each hand sweeping the track. When going over a trestle a short distance this side of Cuyler one of his feet caught between the ties throwing him over and in front of the car which passed over him. The car which weighs 900 pounds was thrown off the track. Parker was picked up by his fellow workmen and brought on the car to his home at Willow Grove, and Dr. S. H. Stevens summoned, who found that no bones were broken but that he was seriously bruised and injured, at first it was thought internally but at this writing the injured man is resting easily.
Mr. Claire Matthewson, an employee of Bryant's furniture factory, had his hand badly cut and mangled on a jointer while at work Friday. He went to a physician's office where several stitches were taken.
Messrs. Frank J. Westcott, Frank L. Hilton, William S. Goddard, Cearles W. Beattie, William K. Atkinson, George K. Atkinson, Myron H. Crosley, Albert F. Kenney, Howard F. Buell, Henry Bell, Joseph J. Meldrim, J. O. Lansing, W. R. Woodward, Coolidge Beattie and Halsey Stevens attended a meeting of DeRuyter lodge, No. 692, F. & A. M. at DeRuyter Saturday, when the first degree was conferred upon Clarence Mitchell of DeRuyter and the third degree upon S. Halsey Stevens and Coolidge F. Beattie of this place and John Snell, Eugene Morse and Lewis Barber of Cuyler. Among those present from other lodges were Dr. Charles H. Jones, T. P. Britol, George Peters and Alliston Boice of Cortland lodge; E. E. Cummings and Willard Jaqueth of Cazenovia lodge.
A petition has been circulated for a rural free mail delivery route from Cuyler over Cuyler hill and return via Dog Hollow. The paper was circulated by Roger Ryan, Esq. Mr. Lee Burdick is an applicant for carrier.
Mrs. Frank L. Hilton and Mrs. R. R. Stewart were in Syracuse Saturday.
Mr. Howard F. Buell has returned from Cortland where he has been attending court as a grand juror.
BREVITIES.
—Town meetings in the various towns of Cortland county will be held on the third Tuesday in February.
—The frame for the new roundhouse of the Lackawanna railroad near the junction is now up and the siding is being put on.
—New display advertisements today are—M. W. Giles, Inventory sale, page 7; Hollister Hardware Plumbing Co., Dinner pails, page 5.
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