Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-17
Mr.. MacVeagh Interrogates
John Mitchell Sharply.
ANSWERS ARE SNAPPY
LABOR LEADER MAKES SOME
POSITIVE STATEMENTS.
Denies Unions Responsibility for the
Increased Price of Coal-Ques-
ton of Intimidation.

SCRANTON, Pa, November 17.-Presi-
dent Mitchell of the miners union resumed
the stand today upon the convening of the
coal strike commission, and his crosS-eX-
animation by Wayne MacVeagh, which was
begun on Saturday, was continued. Mr..
MacVeagh represents the Erie Company,
which operates the mines under the names
of the Pennsylvania Coal Company and the
Hillside Coal and Iron Company. Mr.
Mitchell. who has been on the stand since
Friday morning, brought with him a num-
ber of documents and books, which he fire.
uuently referred to in order to refresh his
memory.
There seemed to be no falling off in the
interest in the proceedings. A large num-
Der Of persons patiently stood in line in the
corridor of the building, in the hope of
gaining admittance to the hearing. Only a
small portion of them were successful, the
limited accommodations being almost en-
tirely taken up by counsel for both sides
and mining officials representatives of the
mine workers and workmen who are en-
ployed In the mines.
Mr. MacVeagh began his examination by
reading from newspaper clippings of the
methods of a labor organization known as
the Operative Plasterers Association Of
New York against their employers.
Mr.. Mitchell Non-Committal.
DO you approve or do you heartily disap-
prove of these methodist" Mr. MacVeagh
asked.
Il should say that my union has no such
rules" was Mr.. Mitchens response.
Mr. MacVeagh repeated his question and
Mr.. Mitchell said:
Il can only say that in the absence of
knowledge to the causes which made
them adopt such resolutions l am not COM
petent to pass upon the fairness or unfair
ness of them. On the surface and with the
Information you convey to me, should say
they are unfair"
Mr.. MacVeagh reverted to the subject of
placing the responsibility for the increased
price of coal and inquired: DO you still
feel at liberty to say that 1t is none OF
your business what additional cost the peo-
pie will have to pay for their coal if that
additional cost is the immediate result Of
your demands|'
Il have not said at any time it was none
of our business" replied Mr.. Mitchell. Il
have stated it was beyond our control. That
we have absolutely nothing to do with the
selling price Of COAL
Negative Answer to Question.
Wont your men have to work five years
to make up the loss they sustained during
the strike?'' Mr.. MacVeagh asked.
Not by any means was the positive an
swer of Mr.. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell, do you think you have the
right to ask for an increase in wages which,
If granted would increase the cost of liv-
Ing to hundreds of thousands of the poor?''
The miners representative replied that
there are 100000 persons in the anthacite
fields who are starving and it is their fun
damental right to ask for living wages in
return for their labor
The examination for a few minutes be-
came very spirited on this phase of the
consequence of the strike and then Mr..
MacEeagh turned 20 the matter of protect
ing the properties during the strike.
Replying to questions by Mr.. MacVeagh
on the right of private parties to protect
their property, Mr.. Mitchell said that the
provision in the miners constitution
against pickets grew out of the Homestead
strike when a number of private detectives
were employed as guards, most of whom
he declared had been recruited from the
slums of Philadelphia and other large
cities. Mr.. Mitchell insisted that the CITY,
county and state authorities were compe-
tent TO handle the matter.
Mr.. MacVeagh Excited.
Raising his voice to a high pitch and
speaking with great fervor. Mr.. MacVeagh
asked the witness: Don't you know as
cheIl, that in spite of the authorities of this
city, Of this county and of this state, this
whole region has been treated for five
months to a veritable fortaste of help
Mr. Mitchell calmly replied 81 don t
know anything of the kind
We'll, you will before we are through
with you, was Mr.. MacVeagh's retort.
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