The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-19

~ CRANTON, Pa, Nov. 1S.-President
Mitchell, for the fourth successive
day, occupied the witness stand
during the two sessions of the strike
commission, and was cross-examined
by three attorneys for as many coal
companies. While a considerable
amount of information for the enlight-
eminent of the commissioners was
brought out the day was a rather quiet
one compared with those which have
preceded it. The arbitratOrS are grow
ing restless in consequence of the long
cross-examination, which apparently
as the commission would like to have
them presented. Several times during
the course of tOday's session Chairman
Gray reminded the attorneys of the
value o. time, and suggested that
crOSS-examination be limited 10 new
features of those questions that have
already been gone over. The lawyers
assured the commission that they, too,
were anxious to expedite matters, and
would do everything possible TO hurry
matters along without injuring their
own case Mr.. Mitchell has been on
the stand since last Friday morning,
and is showing signs of WEAKNESS from
the strain of four days cross-eXam-
inatiOn. Thus far his attorney, c. s.
barrow, and David Wilcox for the Del
aware & Hudson, Wayne MacVeagh
for the Erie, Francis l. GOwen for the
Lehigh Valley and w w. Ross for the
Delaware, Laekawanna & Western
company have examined the miners
president. The commissioners today
for the first time entered into the dis
cuSsiOn with the lawyers and the wit
ness over disputes which arose from
time to time.
Mr.. MacVeaeh's Object.
Mr.. MacVeagh. who began his cross
examination of Mr.. Mitchell on Satur-
day, concluded at II o'clock today. The
distinguished attorney centered most
of his energies in trying to break down
the miners reasons for asking for
yearly agreement with the companies
on hours of labor. wages and other
conditions, which, il made, would be
recognition of the union. Mr. Mac
Neagh's principal aim throughout his
questioning of Mr.. Mitchell was to show
that the mine workers union. because
OF alleged acts of intimidation violence
and the use of the boycott by its mem
bers, proved itself unfit to be a party
TO contract. Mr.. Mitchell would not
admit, nor even assume for the sake
OF illustrating points. of a reign Of ter
Tor existing in the anthracite fields
during the last six months. The recOg-
milton of the union is looked upon as
the most important question before the
commission, and it is quite evident
from the trend of proceedings thus far
that the companies will oppose il TO
their utmost ability.
Mr.. GOwan and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding con-
ditions existing at the cOllieries of the
companies they represent These ques-
lions were more or less technical. Mr..
MltchelPs answers, as a rule differed
very little from the reasons given in
his preliminary statement to the com
mission for improved conditions for the
mine workers.
Interest in the proceedings is not
waning A large crowd which has
been wedged in the court room in the
preceding days of the hearings was in
evidence Neither is there a falling off
in the attendance of attorneys, of
whom there are almost two score pres
ent at each session.