The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1902-11-22
PROGRESS TOO SLOW
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION lMPA.
TENT At THE LONG CROSS
EXAMINATIONS.

EXAMINATIONS.
Attorney Maeveaeh Concludes His
Cross Examination of the Miners
President and Gowan and Ross Sub.
ject Him to Long and Trying Or.
deal-For the First Time Commits.
sioners Take a Hand in Disputes.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 19.-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 at. |
torneys for as many coal companies.
While considerable amount of in
formation for the enlightenment of the
commissioners was brought out, the
day was a rather quiet one, compared
with those which have preceded it.
The arbitrators are growing restless
in consequence of the long cross ex-
animation, which apparently does not
bring out the facts as quickly as the
commission would like to have them
presented. Several times during the
course of the days session, Chairman
Gray reminded the attorneys OF the
value of time and suggested that cross
examination be limited to 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 mat
ters 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 examination.
Thus far his attorney. C. S. Darrow,
and David Wilcox, for the Delaware
and Hudson; Wayne MacVeagh, for
the Erie; Frances l. Gowan, for the
Lehigh Valley, and w. w. Ross, for
the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern company, have examined the min
ers' president. The commissioners
for the first time entered into the dis
cussion with the lawyers and the wit
ness over disputes which arose from
time to time.
MacVeagh, who began his cross ex-
animation of Mr.. Mitchell on Saturday,
concluded at II o'clock a. M 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, If made, would be
recognition of the union. Mr.. Mac
Veagh's principal aim throughout his
questioning of Mr. Mitchell was to
show that the mine workers union,
because of alleged acts of intimida-
tion, violence and the
Use Of the Boycott
by its members, proved itself unfit to
be party to contract. Mr.. Mitchell
would not admit, nor even assume for
the sake of illustrating points, of
reign of terror existing in the anthra-
cite fields during the last six months.
The recognition of the union is looked
upon as the most important question
before the commission and it is quite
evident from the trend Of the proceed
ings thus far, that the companies will
oppose it to their utmost ability.
Mr.. Gowan and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding con-
| OlNlOAo ChAoIAA6 dt IuC COlllcllSS VI Iu0
companies they represent. These
| questions were more or less technical.
Mr.. Mitchell's answers, as a rule, diff.
fered very little from the reasons
given in his preliminary statement to
the commission for improved condi
tions for the mine workers. Interest
in the proceedings is not waning. The
large crowds which have been wedged
in the courtroom in the preceding days
of the hearing were in evidence.
Neither is there falling off in the at.
tendance of attorneys, of whom there
are almost two score present at each
session.
In the afternoon Mr.. Ross line Of
examining was for some time directed
toward testing Mr. Mitchell's knowl
edge of bituminous mine working, the
nrmh!ei " I'm employed, the wages
paid and q comparison of these with
the wages paid in the anthracite fields
Regarding the number of hours the
/ men work in the hard coal regions.
Mr.. Mitchell said that when the break
er runs ten hours, the men usually
work seven, eight or nine hours. When
the breaker runs less, the men work In
proportion. On the average, however,
the men worked more hours than the
breakers.
After some unimportant testimony
as to comparison of wages, the So
cial features of the coal fields was
taken up and Mr.. Mitchell said he
could not see any other reason in
child labor than that the families
Required the Money to Live On,
the exception being where the parents
may be inhuman He then reiterated
his former statement that the min.
imum wage should be 5000 a year.
I'VE might want to 60 to the sea-
Shore" said he. Speaking with little
sarcasm, Mr.. Mitchell said that tho
company had some employees who had
visited Philadelphia once in twenty
four years and that they thereby had
an important event in their lives to
relate to their grandchildren.
After securing an expression from
the miners president that the com.
paAy paid to stockholders 26 per cent
on their capital stock, Mr.. Ross in
quired If he was not incorrect. II
think the figures were that" said Mr..
Mitchell. There are a good many
methods for putting profits away in q
railroad" he added.
Giving as q reason for the miners
preferring to be paid by weight rather
than by measure, Mr.. Mitchell said
that persons buying coal wanted it
weighed, as do sellers of coal.
What benefit is there" asked Mr..
Ross, Ito the miner by being paid by
the ton instead of the car"
Mr.. Mitchell said there had been
general discomfort among the miners
because of disagreements arising from
the docking not only for impurities.
but on account of the topping"
Answering Judge Gray, Mr.. Mitchell
admitted that about 10 per cent of the
total production Of anthracite coal was
put out on the weight basis.