a—4.

60

[W. MORGAN.

110. Well, then, wliat other conditions besides the temperature would operate in determining a reduction to a sjx-hour place?—A place may be wet and dirty, or, again, it might have a peculiar smell, and these conditions would influence me in reducing the hours to six. 111. Can you say, as -Par as the temperature alone is concerned, what you would fix it at?— Well, with general conditions, I would fix it at 80° wet. 112. If there were other conditions present would you reduce it at less than 80°? —Yes. 113. Can a man work eight hours with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers in a temperature of 80°? —Probably not. 114. Can you say, considering the temperature alone, at what heat a man can in ordinary health and under average conditions do a fair, honest day's work without taking too much out of himself, and yet doing fair justice to his employer?—l should think that above 75° it would be trying, and at 80° I would reduce to a six-hour shift. 115. Mr. Parry.'] You say that you have never been asked by the employees for change-houses until just latety ? —Not that 1 am aware of. The question has not been brought before me as a grievance—a serious one. 116. Would you take it seriously if the secretary to the union had asked you? —Yes. 117. Have you not been approached in that way? —No, not that I am aware of. 118. But you have a recollection of the matter being discussed? —I am not certain on that point. Ido not think I have any correspondence on the matter. 119. What is your opinion, Mr. Morgan, in regard to the necessity for change-houses and places for the men to wash?—My general experience among coal-miners is that they prefer to wash at home. 120. You have never heard any complaints about the men washing at home, and the inconvenience ? —No. 121. Which would you prefer—to change at the mine and wash, or walk home in wet clothes? —It depends how far one had to walk. If I lived close to the mine I would go home. 122. What do you call " close to the mine " ?—Say, half a mile. 123. If 3"ou were approached bj' the organization would you provide change-houses? —That would be a matter for the company to deal with. 124. The Chairman.] Would you recommend it?—lf 1 thought it would benefit the miners generally, and if I thought they would utilize the change-houses, I would recommend it. 125. Mr. Parry. ] Your recommendation would have some weight?— Yes, 1 think it would go a long way towards it. 126. Do you have any interference by the superintendent of the mine I —That is a question I would prefer not to answer. 127. Have there been representations made to you by the superintendent regarding the betterment of the mine which you have ignored? —No. 128. In connection with the temperature standard, do you mean 80° wet to be saturated? —Yes. , 129. Of course, you have already said that you think a man is not. capable of doing justice to himself at that heat?—He is not so capable. 130. You consider your mine a safe mine to work in? —Yes. 131. You have only had one serious accident? —Yes, and, of course, a few minor ones. 132. Have less accidents happened under you in this mine than in an} 7 other mine that you have managed? —No, I cannot say that. 133. Do you know anything about a man becoming exhausted through working in the heat?— I heard him say so. 134. Do you agree with that? —No, I cannot say it is a fact. 135. I presume that you have worked in hot places?—lf a man follows mining for twenty-eight years he probably has done so. 136. Have you felt any bad effects from working in such places? —I have worked in places where I did not feel quite as fit as I would have felt had I been working in a cool place. 137. What effect did it have on you? —A man gets exhausted sooner. A man's appetite is not quite so good. 138. And your sleep?—He may not sleep quite so well if his place were very hot. 139. Have you suffered from indigestion through working underground? —I cannot say that 1 have. 140. Have you heard any complaints from the men that they suffered from indigestion? — Not to my knowledge. 141. Do you think that mining is a healthy occupation or an unhealthy one? —I do not consider it a very-unhealthy occupation. 142. Do you consider working on the surface more healthy than working underground?— Working on the surface is more healthy. 143. Much the healthier?—l could not say to what extent. 144. Believing that working underground is unhealthy, what would you advise to improve the condition and prolong life, speaking as a man with long experience ?-—Good ventilation is necessary. 145. And in the place of bad ventilation, what would you suggest?—An attempt to improve it. 146. And where good ventilation cannot be provided? —The hours of work should bo reduced. 147. Mr. Reed.] Do you consider your mine is being , managed in the best interests of the men as far as working conditions are concerned ?—At the present time, yes. 148. And you have taken every precaution in the interests of the men?— Yes. 149. Mr. Parry.] In regard to that question, do you say that the mine is worked in the best interests of the miners? —In the best way under the conditions prevailing. 150. Mr. Seed.] Under usual conditions of mining, is it worked in the best interests of the men ? —Yes.