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| 1902-03 anthracite coal strike commissioners. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, February 11, 1903.
DENOUNCED THE UNION.
Argument of Companies' Attorneys Before Commission.
UNION AN INTRUDER IN ISSUE.
Mr. Torrey Said That Since Advent of the Union Earnings Capacity of the Contract Miner Had Been Limited. Wages Above the Standard Fixed by Mr. Mitchell.
Philadelphia, Feb. 11--The United Mine Workers of America as an organization was severely scored by counsel before the anthracite strike commission. The non.-union men through their attorney John T. Lenahan presented their side of the controversy and demanded consideration at the hands of the commission, claiming the legal right to earn a livelihood as they might elect without the consent or dictation of the union.
During his presentation of the case Mr. Lenahan denounced the union as fomenter of crime and anarchy. The main feature of his argument was the claim that the union had no legal or moral right to coerce miners into membership or to arrogate to itself the authority to fix the wages of mine workers.
James H. Torrey, counsel for the Delaware and Hudson company, claimed that the question of recognition of the union was not an issue before the commission, but he devoted considerable time to the consideration of that demand. He asserted that violence and intimidation were agencies selected for the promotion of the purposes of the mine workers. Regarding the demand for an eight hour working day, Mix Torrey said that evidence showed that for various reasons the breakers did not average more than eight hours a day, so that the physical effects of the long hours were not felt.
Mr. Torrey concluded his argument at the afternoon session. He was followed by Major Everett Warren of Scranton, counsel for the Pennsylvania Coal company and the Hillside Coal and Iron company. Mr. Warren said in part:
"The rights of persons, the rights of property, the rights of employees, popular liberty and constitutional limitations, the phenomena of human associations, the interests and happiness of the people—all these are, to some extent, involved in this submission.
Union an Intruder.
The real parties to this submission are the employees of the several companies on the one side, or certain of them, and their employers on the other. They who are seeking to become parties and intruding themselves upon the commission absolutely without warrant by the terms thereof, are the United Mine Workers of America.
"If any evidence of this were needed, aside from the documents relating to the strike now in your possession, attention is called to the demands, as filed with the commission on behalf of the mine workers, and to the fact that they are signed by John Mitchell as the representative of the mine workers.
"No one has told where these demands originated. It is said that they were formulated by the Shamokin convention. As presented to the commission, however, they are in entirely different form and supported by different reasons."
Major Warren contended that the claim of the union that the rate of wages paid in the hard coal mines was much lower than the rate paid for similar work in the soft coal fields was not supported by evidence. He asserted that the companies have proved accidents for the most part to be the result of the miners' carelessness and that the occupation of a miner is comparatively healthy.
"Mr. Mitchell's opinion is that $600 a year would permit the mine workers to live in a manner conformable to American standards. The average earnings of the contract miner for the year 1901 in the employ of the companies I represent are approximately $650 [ref: gold, $20/oz.—CC ed.]. Throughout the discussion as to the rates of wages, no matter how it may be presented, it is absolutely necessary to bear in mind that the annual earnings of the mine workers are limited by the men themselves."
Miners' Earnings Restricted.
He further declared that it was clearly established before the commission that since the advent of the union the earning capacity of the contract miners has been limited and instead of the union ebbing an advantage to him it has worked to his disadvantage in restricting his earning capacity.
In conclusion Major Warren concluded by saying: "Whatever may be the motive on the part of the union, the evidence is overwhelming that the result is a restriction on the part of the industrious miner, limiting the amount of work, and the consequent wages, shriveling his powers and reducing him to the dead level of his lazy and indifferent associate.
"Socialism proposes to establish an equality among unequal men, by reducing them to the dead level of this possible majority. Instead of allowing every one to determine for himself what he wants to do, it is to be done for him. That is nothing but slavery. What is the theory of the union if it is not this? I do not dispute the right of men to organize and I hold no brief against organized labor. The methods of the United Mine Workers, however, appear to be exquisitely adapted to degrade intelligent labor, to paralyze honest industry, to crush spirit, hope and ambition."
Nurses Needed at Ithaca.
Binghamton, N. Y., Feb. 11.—An appeal has been made by the physicians of Ithaca for nurses from Binghamton to go to that city to assist in the care of typhoid patients. Miss A. M. Simonson, superintendent of the Binghamton City hospital, has sent three recent graduates of the hospital to Ithaca and is trying to engage other nurses but finds it difficult to find nurses willing to go.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Nominees for Supervisor.
Town meeting occurs next Tuesday. Feb. 17, and in every town in the county preparations are being made for the election. In certain towns there is not the slightest doubt in advance of the result; in others where the majority either way is small a few votes may make a great deal of difference. In view of this fact Republican are especially urged to do their duty and get to the polls and vote and not let an election go to their opponents by default.
In the towns of Cortlandville, Cuyler, Homer, Scott, Solon, and Virgil the Republican supervisors of the last boards have been renominated. All of these supervisors have made excellent records of stewardship for the county in general and their own respective towns in particular, and have likewise served with credit to themselves.
In the town of Preble the Republicans have endorsed the Democratic nomination of Dr. Hunt, doubtless with the idea of having that official see the matter of the Preble taxation appeal case clear through to the end.
The Republicans of the town of Marathon have nominated F. E. Whitmore, who has not before come forward in the political world, but who is recognized among all who know him as a man of the highest integrity, of good judgment and excellent common sense. He is the son of the late Hon. D. E Whitmore who likewise served the town in a similar capacity for three years, and who was also a member of assembly from this county. He will doubtless prove a worthy successor of an honored father. In such high estimation is he held on all sides that the Democrats have endorsed his nomination.
The Republicans of Cincinnatus have nominated B. R. Corning, and in Taylor Irving W. Phelps is the candidate of his party. Both have been members of former boards and both would be very acceptable to their towns. The contest in Cincinnatus seems likely to be particularly stiff, for both candidates are remarkably popular men. Both have been supervisors in years past and neither has ever been beaten, for this is the first time they have ever been pitted against each other. It is needless to say that the friends of both are putting in their best efforts. There is surely no more capable man in the town for the office than Mr. Corning and if elected he will serve well the interests of all his constituents,
There is a similar contest in Virgil where Mr. Webb und Mr. Holton are the candidates. The latter was elected for a number of years. Four years ago Mr. Webb was nominated for the first time and defeated his rival. Two years ago no one was nominated against him. This year it is the same old fight of four years ago over again. There is surely no reason why Mr. Webb should not command the vote of every Republican in his town; there is no reason why any Republican should let him be defeated by remaining at home and shirking the responsibility of his franchise, Mr. Webb has looked sharply after the interests of his constituents. A year ago he succeeded in the equalization committee in having the assessed valuation of the town reduced one-tenth of one per cent, and this last year he got two-tenths of one per cent additional off. This fact will be very acceptable to the taxpayers of that town.
In Truxton W. Ray Woodward is the candidate of the Republicans. He is a strong and able man in the town and all of his friends are working hard for his election.
M. M. Brown, the Republican candidate in Freetown, was the supervisor of his town in 1889. He is a prominent party worker in the town and is known as one of the solid men of the place. His town is always close, the majority seldom exceeding five, and it behooves every Republican to get to the polls.
Abner Johnson in Lapeer and F, L. Maine in Willet are recognized as able and efficient candidates and will no doubt pull the full party strength of their respective towns.
In Harford no Republican nomination has been made, as no one could be found who cared for the empty honor of being a candidate against the big and popular John A. Wavle who has represented that town for several years past and who is known to be one of the most energetic and successful vote getters of the town.
The tickets of all the towns are from top to bottom fully up to the average and should command the entire party strength. There is no reason why any candidate should not be elected if the voters will do their duty.
MISSIONARY CONVENTION
Now Being Held at the First M. E. Church—Those Attending.
The annual convention of the Woman's Home Missionary society of the Central New York conference was begun at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. The delegates in large numbers arrived this morning from the various towns and cities in the five districts that make up the conference. A larger number even than was expected are in attendance, and the convention bids fair to be a very interesting one.
Dinner was served at the church parlors today to the delegates and visitors to the number of about one hundred. They are now to be entertained at the homes of the members of the local society.
The church has been very tastily decorated with flags, palms, smilax and potted plants. The front pews on the north side of the auditorium are reserved for the delegates of the Syracuse and Geneva districts, and those on the south side for the Auburn, Elmira and Cazenovia districts.
In addition to the list of delegates that was given in yesterday's Standard the following are attending: Auburn, Mrs. G. E. Trimble; Waterloo, Mrs. L. S. Boyd, Mrs. F. W. Glarner; Freeville, Mrs. Fisk; Baldwinsville, Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. J. C. B. Moyer, Mrs. Morey; Newark, Mrs. E. E. Bird; Marcellus, Mrs. Roe, Mrs. D . F. Coon; Phoenix, Mrs. E. E. Spence; Cardiff, Mrs. G. Simms, Mrs. F. M. Thurston; Oneida, Mrs. E. C. Smith; Manlius, Mrs. P. F. Emmonds; Syracuse, Miss Lucile Adams, Miss Maud Smith, Mrs. F. Higgins, W. D. Brewster, Mrs. H. Hamlin, Mrs. A. Y. Van Patten, Mrs. S. Schooner, Mrs. J. W. Van Patten, Mrs. A. Austin, Mrs. B . F. Toppner, Mrs. Fostbinder; Lyons, Mrs. Hull; Weedsport, Mrs. Stalahan, Mrs. Haskell; Newark, Miss Hattie Lewis.
A SERIES OF LECTURES
At the Universalist Church For Intellectual Life of the City.
A course of lectures has been arranged for at the [Cortland] Universalist church to be given as follows:
Friday, Feb. 13, Rev. U. S. Milburn, "The Science of Penology."
Friday, Feb. 27, Prin. Albert C. Mayham, "A Belt of Wampum."
Monday, March 9, Rev. W. A. Smith. "The Heroism as Demanded by the Times."
Monday, March 16, Rev. U. S. Milburn, "The Poets of the Liberal Faith."
These lectures are for the benefit of the public, to add to the intellectual life of the city, therefore the cost of a season ticket admitting one to the four lectures is but 30 cents, enough being charged to meet the expenses of the course only. Single admissions will be 10 cents. The lectures will begin at 8 o'clock. The lecture Friday evening is the paper which Mr. Milburn read recently before the Science club; he is assured a larger circle desires to hear it, because of the importance of the subject, about which too little is known. It is to be hoped that the public will avail themselves of the opportunity to hear these lectures.
Died in Ohio.
The remains of John L’Hommedieu, who died in Ashtabula, O., on Sunday, Feb. 8, arrived in Cortland this morning and were placed in the receiving vault of the Cortland Rural cemetery. The burial will occur tomorrow morning at 8:30 o'clock and there will be a prayer at the grave. Mr. John C. L'Hommedieu, nephew of the deceased, accompanied the remains to Cortland. Forty years ago Mr. L'Hommedieu was a resident of Cortland, his home being upon the farm now owned by Hon. O. U. Kellogg. His wife, who was Josephine Doud, the youngest sister of the late Enoch Doud, was buried in Cortland nine years ago.
BREVITIES.
—Ash Wednesday comes on Feb. 25 and Lent begins. Easter is April 12.
—The Cortland Kindergarten association will meet Thursday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p. m. in the Normal kindergarten.
—The prayer meeting of the Presbyterian church occurs tonight instead of tomorrow night. Rev. Mr. Richardson, the representative of the Home Missionary society, who is making a tour of the churches in this vicinity, will be present and speak.
—Any one outside of Cortland who wishes to communicate with The Standard by telephone is requested wherever possible to use the Home Telephone as we have this telephone in our office and do not have the Empire State telephone. Using the Home telephone will enable the party to communicate with us at once, otherwise there must be a delay till it is convenient for some one to go from this office to the Central office of the Empire State Telephone company.
—New display advertisements today are: McKinney & Doubleday, Wall paper, page 5; Opera House, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," page 5; New York store, Extraordinary values, page 6; M. A. Case, Bargains in drygoods, page 6; G. H. Ames, Shoes, rubbers, page—; C. F. Brown, Vinol, page 4.
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