Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-04
MAMMOTH MINE INQUIRY.
Two Pennsylvania Senators in Controversy
Almost Come to Blows.

Two Pennsylvania Senators in Controversy
Almost Come to Blows.
The legislative committee appointed to in
vestigate the Mammoth mine disaster finished
the taking of testimony at Greensburg. Pa,
yesterday morning and left for Harrisburg
after improper conduct had openly been
charged against Senator Hines and after Sena-
| tors Thompson and Hines had almost come to
blows.
The witnesses examined last were General
Superintendent Lynch and other officials OF
the II. c. Prick Coke Company. They entirely
ignored the damaging testimony concerning
the condition Of the mine given by miners yes.
terday, save that Mr.. Lynch presented letters
showing that Fire Boss Smith, who was charged
with drunkenness and carelessnesR. was con-
| sidered Il reliable man. They insisted that
every precaution had been taken TO make the
| mine safe.
A STARTLING STATEMENT.
Mr. Lynch threw a bomb when he said: II
desire to state one thing. know that during
the day communications were received in this
car from the outside and notes passed around.
| In this connection must say that on Saturday
night Senator Hines told me that he was the
| attorney fer the Miners Union, which has
control Of the COnnellsville region
Senator Hines was then put under oath and
said: Il had no communication with Messrs.
Rea and Watchorr Officials of the Miners
Union) further than to simply telephone them
prior to the hearing that understood that the
II. &. Prick Coke Company would have repre-
sentatives here and, if possible, that the miners
| should also be represented"
Senator Thompson here surrendered the
chair and said: II would like to be sworn. as
believe can make a statement which will
| throw some light on the presen. controversy ~
He was sworn by Senator Hines, and said:
ION the way from Harrisburg / was engaged
IN conversation with Senator Hines when he
| told me that he had telegraphed Messrs. Rea
and Watchorn Of the coming Of the commission
| and OF its purpose. He also told me that he was
| their attorney"
SENATOR HINES DENIAL.
During this testimony tho pale face of the
| senator from Luzerne flushed noticeably. and
| in n voice trembling with suppressed indigna-
| ton he hastily exclaimed: Upon my oath ]
| emphatically say that so far as the sending OF
| the telegram is concerned never | Senator
| Thompson had sent one. new, sent a tele-
gram except to Representative Farrell"
/ Thompson and Hines we're waiting to at
tack each other, but were restrained. They
| soon started another scene. however, when
Senator Thompson exclaimed impatently:
Senator Hines. you are asking questions alto
gether irrelevant to the subject under which
the witness is being examined
Senator Hines-.'That is not true
Senator Thompson (excitedly )-"You have nc
| more brains than mule
Senator Hines, (half rising from his chair)--
| ''You are q blackguard.''
Again peacemakers interfered. The sena,
tors were kept apart and the taking of testi.
| mony was closed.
The attorney of the Prick Coke Company &c.
verey critizises the legislators as unfair because
| of the break between Thompson and Hines. l,
| Is likely that two reports will be submitted Il
| the legislature