The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-18

m,ssicners Take Part IN Questioning.
SCRANTON. Pa. Nov i7.-lf John Mitchell.
head of the Mine Workers. did no, get some
whsi ratified under H." fire uf questions that
we're asked of him whil. upon the witness
,taud before the strike arbitratiou cominis-
sion this afternoon he at least vas very close
10 il, and his answers were given with moro
nspprity than he has shown at any oil the
previous sessions.
MIR. MacNea gh in his cross Xamination
devoted the greater part of the afternoon TO a
series Of questions relative to the OUT ages
that were committed durinSth. strike, and
naturally it was a subject that Mitchell APP
preached " it'll caution. He made no effort
to dispute the fact that fourteen men had met
violent deaths while the strike wac IN prog
ress, but he did question the statement that
they had been killed 10y strikers.
Practically, Mr. Mitchell denied the truth
of a vast majority of the reports Of outrages
that we're printed in the newspapers of the
country during the strike. His opinion a.
TO these reported out RACES was made known
in one of his answers to MIR. MacNeagh.
Il don't assume for an instant, he said
that such a statement AZ you have made is
true
Mr.. Mac Yea gh had just concluded reading
a long list of outrages that had been COM
mitted in a single day.
Mr. Alitchells adroitness in evadng
questions that would not hel p his cause To
answer with directness was made clear
during the morning and afternoon. In
the end this drew from Mr.. MacNeagh the
compliment:
well, must say, Mr. Mitchell. that you
are the best witness for yourself that has
ever confronted me-"
During the day il W as given out that ow in z
to the fact that Mr.. Mitchell has disputed
some Of the written statements of the llli-
nois operators with regard TO the workings
Of the system of recognizing the union
there, the operators of Illinois referred TO
will be invited TO attend the sessions of the
commission In Scranton and to give testi-
mony covering the points in controversy.
APPROVES DISMISSAL OF TEACHERS.
When the morning session opened, Mr.
Mitchell was asked by Mr.. MacNe agh re-
garding the cases of the two teachers in
Forest City who were dismissed from their
places because their fathers were working
as non-union men at the collieries. MIR
Mitchell said in answer TO question that he
thought the action Of the School Board In
dismissing the teachers was right pro.
vided that it was in accordance with the
wishes of the majority of the people Of the
community. He thought that the dis.
missal served the best interests of the
schools, because the children could have
no respect for such teachers.
A little later MIR. Mitchell was asked 4
he approved Of boycott that would pre-
vent priest from administering the sacra
ment Of the Church TO a non-union mar
OF doctor from attending non-unior
people He contented himself with answer
ing NO"
Mr.. MacVeagh then called the attent ion
of Mitchell to the fact that the newspaper
of Philadelphia are complaining Of the
suffering Of the poor because they cannot
get coal at reduced prices and he asked
whether in view Of the fact than any In.
crease in wages of the men would be an
additional burden placed on the poor. Mr.
Mitchell was still in favor Of asking In
creased wages for the anthracite miners
Mr.. Mitchell answered that he did II,
said:
We do not ask people who work in a
-four mill that produces -four for us 70 n ccep
lower wages in order that we may,get some
thing cheaper"
COAL AND IRON POLICEMEN
Mr.. Macveagh again brought up Mr.
Mitchells denunciation Of the men as crimi
mails who were employed as guards at IN,
mines. and then read a description Of tn,
men employed by the Hillside Coal and Iror
Company. He then asked Mitchell in view
Of the kind Of men that had been secured
as guards, If he did not think that the opera
tors in this instance did not do a. well a.
they could fairly be expected TO do
Mitchell answered that he knew nothin.
at all about the men referred TO. Pres-eC
still farther he said that he did not wan
10 answer hypothetical question either
affirmatvelv or negatively
Mr. Mitchell, don't YOU know. as wei
as your name is John Mitchell. that in spit,
of the civil authorities Of this State anc
this county and this city, this whole regior
has been treated for five months to "A vcri,
table foretaste Of help" asked Mr.. Mac.
Neagh.
Il don't know anything Of the kind, " h,
answered.
Mr. Watkins of the commission here tooL
hand in the asking of questions ano
wanted to know if any of the guards 10.
community. The answer was. Not ono.
Mr. Watkins was told that the men wcr,
appointed by tho Constitutional authori.
ties Of the Commonwealth. MIR. parrov
suggested that in 80 far as this matter
becomes relevant to the case counsel might
bring the original evidence. Mr. War; n
the associate of Mr.. MacNcagh, answered
that the original evidence would bo found
in the pubic record in the CouI, Kou>,
in which the commission was sitting.
The attention of Mr.. Mitchell was called
TO the proclamation Of Gov, Stone in callinq
out the National Guard, in which strong
reference was made TO tll" law l"-suos. prc.
Naiiing in tine coal fcgions. Ere witness
said that he thought that no .tatcmoIt,
made by GOV. S,on" in the PROCLAMATION
we're untrue.
There was some Testimony llicrrccprG'u-
t.. eight hour dsv. Mr.. Macy EACH Insisted
hat saying that - man may u't v,rl, moro
han eight hours was not AN American idea
IA thi, connection Mr., MacNoagh referred
10 what Abraham Lincoln iaight DO or
igh' not do under the circumstances.
MIR. Mitchell said
IF Abraham Lincoln was picking ccal
'o-dAy ne would Toe a stronger advocate
f The oight-honr day than an"
HANNA Acr.cN ~ 1909