The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-11-19
STRIKE COMMISSION GET' Ting FACTS
President Mitchell The First Wit
aess---0n Stand Ali Day.

Scranton, Pa. Nov. 1.-THE anth-
( racite coal strike commission today
began the hearing Of testimony before
which is viii determine whether or
not the Workmen are receiving fair and
Just wages for their labor and whether
their condition should not be inn
proved. The, star witness for the min
ers-P -President John Mitchell-took the
stand IN the forenoon and when the
commission adjourned at 4 o'clock
he was still under the IRE of cross ex-
animation by David W. Wilcox, gen
eeal counsel of the Delaware and
Hudson company. Il was trying day
for the miners leader, but he seemed
to stand the test well.
The opening of the session was a
notable day in the annals OF the law
in the upper anthracite region. Such
an array Of lawyers has never been
seen IN this part of the State and it is
doubtful whether attorneys have ever
Z been SO numerous on one side OF case
s IN this State as were present IN the IN
terest of the coal companies today.
The commissions sessions are being
held in the beaasi full room of the Penn
sylvania superior court which is now
sitting in Philadelphia. Ranged around
three tables in front Of the seven com
missioners who occnpied the judges
bench were no less than 80 lawyers,
q of whom we're looking after the I'm
terest Of the nine owners. During the
day Mr.. Wilcox asked MI. Mitchell
many questions as to the policies OF
the union, the method OF calling
strikes, etc. It was apparent to many
OF those present who understood the
situation that Mr.. Willcox's. object
was to attempt to prove by Mr. Mitch
eli's OWE testimony the contention Of
the companies, that the miners union
was an irresponsible organization and
that trade agreements therefore could
not be safely entered into, was well
founded.
During the hearing the statement
was brought out for the first time since
The late strike was inaugurated that
the union had disbursed Sls5OO, Coo
among the union and non-union men
who were on strike.
Mr.. Mitchell, before Saking the
witness stand in the forenoon, present.
ca the miners side Of the case in six
thousand word statement. It took
him 20 minutes TO read his address
and he was listened to by the commls-
sionerss and the operators with the
closest attention.
Mr.. Mitchell prefaced his statement
with the hope that the commission
would succeed in establishing rela-
tionship between the operators and the
miners that viii insure peace and
stability IN the industry fol, an inde-
finite period. y
Mr.. Mitchell was sworn in as the
first witness, it haViag been agreed that
oaths should be administered to Wit
nesses. He was questioned by Clarence
DarroW, attorney for the miners.
Mr. Mitchell cont.asted conditions IN
the bituminous and anthracite fields
to the advantage OF the former. He
said last year 513 men we're killed II
the mines and ], 200 Injured.
g What do you say as to the ability
of YOUR organization to maintain dis,
cipline and assist in the settlement OF
questions and help in the harmony OF
She management of the coal industry?"
inquire Mr.. Darsow.
Speaking very deliberately Nh. Nit
cfseIl answered
81 would say that our experience as
an organiztion demonstrates con-
clusiyely that discipline can be main
tained where trade agreement exists.
AS a matter of fact In those States
where ne have trade agreements, II any
of our local unions were to attempt to
violate agreements or refuse to 60 back
s to work when we instructed them to
do so, we would put them out OF the
union. Our agreements take prece-
clence over our own law. The agree
1nen5s must be kept inyiolate.