The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-05
COMMISSIONERS HEAR
r1ORE FROn TIMERS
Continued from Page ~

the Coke cOlieries told that he had to
work twenty-four hours every second
Sunday. Questioning on the part of the
commissioners developed the fact that
on tho intervening Sunday he had
twenty four hours off, and that three
men work with him, so that 1t was fair
to be inferred he caught a little nap, at
least on the long Sunday.
An Interesting Story.
Rev. j. V Hussie. rector of st.
Ciabriels church at Hazleton. was one
of the afternoon witnesses and told an
Interesting story of conditions in the
Hazleton region. lie was cross-exam-
iued by Attorney John r. Lenahan on
the treatment accorded non-unon men
and strike violence generally. The Wit
ness contended that there was very
little disorder in Ha2leton during the
strike, and what little occurred was
grossly exaggerated in the newspapers.
Attorneys Darrow, Mccarthy and
james J.. Lenahan did the examining
for the miners side. President Mitch
ell. sitting convenient to the lawyers.
coached them constantly and twice,
with permission Of the commission,
made explanations of matters under
discussion. upon which he was more
competent to speak than either the
witnesses or the attorneys.
Mrs. Clark. wife of Commissioners
Clark. and Mrs George Fowler, daugh-
ter of x-Superintendent Garret Bogert
of the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western company. were among the
Indies who watched the proceedings
during the morning.
An amusing incident took place to-
Al..~
sion. Andrew Matti, a Slav. who is one
of the board members in the Hazletoh
district. was on the stand in the morn
ing and told of having been engaged by
Il boss" of Coke Bros. & Co. to import
men from the old country. 1t was
noticed by the miners attorneys that
the commission was apparently very
much interested in this matter, and
when they got to talking it over during
the noon recess came to the conclusion
to give the commission some more Of it.
Accordingly, Matti was recalled and
led by questions from Mr.. Darrow. told
all the details of the importationS, in
Guiding how he was paid money by the
mine boss to perform this work. The
commissioners were listening eagerly
to the recital and asking quite a few
questions. Suddenly Judge Gray said:
by the way, when did this happen?"
The whole assemblage, commissioners,
miners representatives and all fairly
roared with laughter when the witness
answered, Seventeen years ago.
First Witness.
AIatti was the first witness of the
day. He was called to the stand by
Mr. Darrow Immediately upon the open :
,f lac Ia n
former miner at the Prospect colliery
of Coke Eros. & Co., and holds the po-
sition of district vice president of the
union. He told of being Disseminated
against because. Of being prominent in
the union and how he lost good job
for the same reason. He was earning
SO a week. he said, and this was as
high as any other man at the mine. He
never had more than $50 together at one
time that he could call his own, al
though he worked every day he was
given opportunity to work.
When asked if he knew anything
about operators bringing his country
men, Slavonians, here to work in the
mines, he said he himself, had brought
many of them over at the behest of the
mine boss.
Like the witness of the day before.
Natti told that he never saw the mine
inspector in his breast" but once and
then he was being escorted by the mine
boss
Commissioner Watkins asked what
the purpose was of the testimony re-
gaTding the mine Inspector Mr.. Dar-
row called on Mr.. Mitchell to explain.
Mr.. Mitchell stated that they wanted
to show that the mine inspector never
goes on his rounds unless accompanied
by mine boss and because of the boss
being along the attention of the inspec-
tor instead of being directed Is diverted
from bad conditions, and besides, when
the boss is standing by the miners do
not dare To make complaints.
Judge Gray wanted to know II it was
not necessary TO have some one go
about with the inspector as a guide.
Attorney Mccarthy explained that IL
good experienced miner such as an in
spector ought to be, does not need a
guide. He can follow the map or even
find his way about by following the air
current
General Wilson. addressing Mr. Me-
Carthy, asked If Il mine boss who him.
self had been miner, would he So lack
ing in love for his fellow man that he
would Intentionally expose him to dan
ger by diverting the attention of the
Inspector from dangerous conditions.
Mr.. Mccarthy answered in the affirm
atve ana then explained that the mine
boss is responsible for bad conditions
and can be counted upon to hide his
own derelictions.
Reynolds Protests.
Attorney Reynolds, of counsel for the
independent operators, protested against
further inquiry concerning the inspect
orS. II is unreasonable, he argued, that
company is not just as desirous of AN
Inspector doing his duty as the en-
ployes possibly could be, because in pro-
iectins the miners he is also protect
Ing the company's property. At all
events, Mr.. Reynolds said, 1t was not fair |
To allow the regulations of the inspect
ors tn be attacked when they are not |
here 10 defend themselves.
Judge Gray said that anything throw |
ing light on the conditions into which |
the commission is inquiring, is relevant |
testimony, He would be pleased. he |
said. to have the inspectors come before |
the commission and tell their story. &
Mr. Mitchell said ii was not the pur- 4
pose of the miners to assail the in |
spectors or the foremen. They are vie |
tins of environments. The purpose is |
TO show that the miners do not dare TO |
make complaints to the inspectors.
Attorney Reynolds pointed out the |
fact that in every district the mine in
spector maintains an Office where min
ers can wait on him.