The commissioners have held hearings in Scranton…
December 1902 CE
Baer makes the closing arguments for the coal operators, while lawyer Clarence Darrow closes for the workers.
Although the commissioners hear some evidence of terrible conditions, they conclude that the "moving spectacle of horrors" represents only a small number of cases.
By and large, social conditions in mine communities are found to be good, and miners are judged as only partly justified in their claim that annual earnings ware not sufficient "to maintain an American standard of living."
The rhetoric of both sides makes little difference to the Commission, which splits the difference between mineworkers and mine owners.
The miners ask for 20% wage increases, and most are given a 10% increase.
The miners have asked for an eight-hour day and are awarded a nine-hour day instead of the standard ten hours prevailing at this time.
While the operators refuse to recognize the United Mine Workers, they are required to agree to a six-man arbitration board, made up of equal numbers of labor and management representatives, with the power to settle labor disputes.
Mitchell considers that de facto recognition and calls it a victory.
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