The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-20

Mr.. Mitchell was cross-examined
briefly by w. w. Ross for the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western,
Simon P. Wolverton, for the Phila-
: delphia and Reading. and James H.
Torrey, representing the Delaware
and Hudson. The individual opera
tors, who have not, up to the present
time, pressed their case before the
commission, through one of their at
torneys, Ira H. Burns, of Scranton,
inquired of the commission if they
would be given the opportunity to ex-
anime witnesses when questions arise
which are different with them than
with the companies. Judge Gray an
swered that they would.
What 1t Means to Strike.
Mr.. Mitchell, in reply to Mr.. Burns,
said that when a man strikes he does
not voluntarily give up his job, but he
strikes for an improvement in the con-
dtions of job. If he wins, he gets
back the position, if he loses he goes
back with his hat in his hand and
asks for a job.
Judge Gray here interrupted to ex-
plain the understanding of the COM
mission with respect to the returning
to work of men who had been on a
strike. He said:
pending the consideration of questions
by this commission, the strikers were
to return Immediately to work, and I
think the further understanding-don'
let me be Observation-Disclosures that the
non-union men should not be inter-
fered with nor displaced from employ
ment generally by the return of the
union men,"
Judge Gray then announced the de-
IL L. LA
of application of John T. Lenahan
and John T. O'Brien, attorneys for the
non-union men. to appear in the case.
In the light of all their claims, said
Judge Gray, thew would be allowed
to appear, but the commission could
not consent to the withholding from
the public of the names Of the nom
union men as their attorneys had de-
sired. After Mr.. Lenahan assented
to this Judge Gray announced that
the commission would see that no un-
fair use would be made of it's names.
Mr. barrow insisted that Messrs.
Lenahan and OBrien really represent
ed the operators and not the non-un-
ion men.
Whether they be here in that way
or not" Judge Gray quickly replied
they represent an important element
in the investigation. men who work
for their living and who are interested
In the findings of this commission. We
have considered that very carefully
from all Sides
l. Child Labor.
Responding to request from Com
missioner Watkins for a suggestion as
to what should be done in the matter
of child labor, Mr.. Mitchell said thai
law should be enacted providing that
after a certain time children under
IA years of age should not be employed
in the breakers. The only way now
that the operators could prevent the
evil would be to refuse to employ chill
dren until they are IA years old. II
frequently happened, he said, that
parents swore falsely regarding the
ages of children. The miners presi.
dent then left the witness stand.
John ]. Murphy, counsel for the
union, read the Pennsylvania statutes
requiring the measurement of coal BY
weight, which he said he wanted tc
put into the record.
AS to Immri grants.
Rev. Peter Roberts, then took the
stand. Answering a question
by Commissioner Watkins, DR.
Roberts said there was an effort
made by the Individual operators tc
import cheap labor into the anthracite
fields. at was DONE" said he, through
ship agents who got men in New York
to watch the vessels coming in and
turn in the current of immigration
that is, the Slav immigra tion-intc
the coal fields"
Have miners been obtaining homes
to any extent during the last ten
years." the witness was asked which
elected the reply that they had been,
with the possible exception of the Ital-
ians who did not settle in the United
States
The witness declared in response to
questions that a miners occupation is
more risky than in any other large
industry. There were more deaths
than on the railroads, but fewer acct
dents.
Sociological Questions.
"Have you noticed the effects of sa-
looms on miners?" was the next ques-
ton.
1.-THE number of saloons in Schuyl-
kill county has decreased" was the re-
ply, land the consensus of opinion is
that it is due largely to the miners
union.'
He said the social worth and msnli-
ness and individuality of the Slav had
been greatly increased through the
miners union.
do you know what was the result
, of the strike of 19O0?''
ut decidedly improved conditions by
giving 10 per cent. advance
Mr.. Roberts was still on the stand
when the commission adjourned.
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