The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-11-19
Consumed too Much Valuable
Time Commissioners Ques.
ti0n Mitchell.
HOLDS STAND FOUR DAYS
Attorney for Nonanion Miners
Attempts to Get Commission
to Give His Cause u
Hearing.

SCRANTON. Nov is.--Prcsident
Mitchell for the fourth successive day
oceuuIed the witness stand during two
sessions Of the strike commission and
VAS ross.examined by three attorneys
for as many coal companies. While
a considerable amount OF information
for the enlightenment OF the commits
sionera was brought out. the day was
rather a quiet one compared with
those which have preceded Il, The
nrhiirators are growing restive In con-
sequence Of the long cross-exnmlna-
tion which apparently does not bring
out facts as quickly aa the commission
would like TO have them presented.
Macvelsa. who began the cross-ex-
animation ~ Mitchell Saturday. con-
cluded today. The distinguished at-
torney cent sred most OF his energies
In trying TO break down the miners
reason for asking for an agreement
with the companies on hours OF labor
wages and other conditions. which, II
made. would be recognition OF the
union. McVelgh's principal aim
throughout the questioning OF Mitchell
was 10 show that the mlneworkers'
union. because OF alleged acts OF In
tlmidation. violence and use OF the boy
colt. proved itself unfit TO be party to
contract, Mitchell would not admit,
not even assume for the sake OF Illus
trating points. Of the reign OF terror
existing In the anthracite fields during
the last six months.
The recognition OF the union is looked
upon as the most important question
before the commission, and II Is quite
evident from the trend OF proceedings
thus far that the companies viii oppose
II TO their utmost abinty,
Before proceeding to the examina-
ton John T. Lenahan OF Wilkesbarre,
one OF the attorneys for the nonunion
man. who want the commission 10 take
up their case. handed TO the commis-
sion a list OF 1000 names OF nonunIon
men as his authority for appearing
before the arbitrators. He did not wish
the commission to make the names
ppblic at this time, but as Chairman
Gray said everything fled with the
commission Is public matter, the names
we're unotilclally handed In and were
not given out for publication, He also
aled a statement OF the nonunIon de-
mands. which were published this
morning.
MIR. MacVeigh. In resuming his
cross ss-examinatlon, said he would be
glad TO get an expression as to the in
auence of acts of violence on the tenn
ner and disposition OF the union men
said to have been committed by them.
The witness said that ne would not as
suume that the acts OF violence are
true.
If" said he. Forest City, which
had been referred to, would be an ex-
ample of all the towns and cities in |
the anthracite field. Il would indicate ,
that we were very law-abiding, re-
ligious people"
what | am trying to show" he con-
tinued. "ls that there is growing spi-
rlt of violence and disregard of law in |
their organization, and that your in
nuence over thcm Is insufficient to /
keep them lawabidIng and peaceable as
YOU desire them 20 be-"
Under this arraignment of the union
Mr.. Mitchell retained his complete
romposure, The question met with a
ready response.
THE fear that my influence" said
he Us not sufficient TO deter men from
the commission Of crime Is contra
llotlon of the claims often made about
ne" Hewas free to say that some men
nay have been deferred from going to
work because Of violence, but the strike
tself lost more In public opinion by
hat than It could possibly gain.
The cross-examlner and the witness
hen plunged into spirited colloquy
,ver the question OF whether one man
,as the right to prevent another man
rom selling his labo. The best an
iwer that Mr.. McVelsh could draw
rom the miners chief was that he
Ild not approve of any one committing
IN unlawful act.
Mr. MacVeigh read statement re-
;arding the right to strike as belonging
o the personal freedom Of working
nen. He also took the view that in
he exercising of that freedom those
Who cease to work muust not interfere
With the liberty of others who wish
o work.
we do not want anarchy" said Mr.