Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-20
MINERS WILL
TAKE BOARDS
DECISION
MITCHELL DECLARES THEIR
UNION WILL DISSOLVE IF
THEY GO BACK ON AGREE
MENT.


SCRANTON. Pa. Nov. 1s-The anthra-
cite strike commission resumed its hearing
today with the usual large crowd in the
court room
Before W. W. Ross. for the Delaware.
Lackawanna and Western road, resumed
his cross examination OF President Mitch
ell, Chairman Gray, for the commission,
again asked counsel 70 assist In expediting
the proceedings. He said the commission
was loathe to interfere. but they hoped
that Afr. Mitchell would not be asked 20
give his opinion OF matters OF which he
had not personal knowledge
Mr.. Mitchell. answering questions by
Mr.. Ross, said that an Increase In wages
without adopting the weighing system
would not meet the demands OF the min
ers. An eight-hour day would increase
the annual income OF the men
Mr.. Ross analysed the constitution OF
the United Mine Workers with relation
10 It's bearing on the contracts with the
bituminous operators The purpose, ne
said. OF showing that since the advent OF
the union the bituminous operators have
been unable to employ any man until he
first joins the union.
When Mr.. Ross concluded his examina-
ten. Mr.. Mitchell was cross examined by
Former Congressman s. y. Woiverton,
counsel for the Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron company. AFR. Mitchell
said Il vpuld be impossible for him 20
give In detail the conditions at each mine
or even under each company. He also de-
ciared that Il would neither be possible
nor desirable to divide the United Mine
workers into two separate organizations
one bituminous and the other anthracite
The reply OF Mr.. Mitchell excited some
interest. because OF the fact that this was
a suggestion made by c. ID. Wright In his
report OF the strike 70 President RoOse-
Welt
Mr.. Wolverton's crOss-examination oc-
cupied but i've minutes.
James Y Torrey. of Scranton. repre-
sentlng the Delaware and Hudson, fol-
lowed with a number Of inquiries on the
subject Of the not which occurred at
Shenandoah.
Mr.. Mitchell was emphatic In saying
that the reports sent out were grossly ex-
aggerated and that but one life was lost.
The sheriffs appeal 70 the governor for
aid. he said. was Overdrawn-
The individual operators. who have not.
Up 10 the. present time. pressed their case
before the commission, through one OF
their attorneys. Ira II. Burns. OF Scran-
ton. inquired OF the commission II they
would be given the opportunity TO exam
Inc witnesses when questions arise which
are different with them than with the
companies Judge Gray answered that
they would.
Mr.. Mitchell. in reply TO Mr.. Burns.
said that when a man strikes he does not
voluntarily give Up his job. but he strikes
for an Improvement in the conditions Of
his job. II ne wins. ne gets back the posi-
tions Il he loses he goes back with his hat
IN his hand and asks for a job. Judge
Gray here interrupted TO explain the un-
Outstanding OF the commission with re-
spect 70 returning 10 work Of men who
had been on strike. He said:
II think the understanding Is that pend
ing the consideration Of questions by this
commission the strikers were to return
Immediately 70 work and think the fur
Their understanding fs-don't let me be mis-
understood-that the non-union men
should not be interfered with nor dispiac-
ed from employment generally by the re-
turn OF the union men"
Mr.. Burns was examining the witnesses
upon the unlawful acts committed during
the strike. and he asked Mr.. Mitchell II
he approved Of them. when Judge Gray
stopped him. and said that nothing could
Be gained by asking the question. because
the commission had a moral sense of its
own. which he presumed agreed with the
moral sense Of the community and socie-
". Mr. Mitchell declared with emphasis.
in the course OF subsequent examination.
that the miners viii carry cut to the let
ter the decision OF the commissioner go
out OF our union"
Judge Gray then announced the decision
Of the commission IN the matter Of appli-
cation OF J. T. Lenahan and ]. T. O'Brien.
attorneys for the non-unlon men. to APP
pear In the case. In the light Of all their
claims said Judge Gray, they would be
allowed 10 appear. but the commission
could not consent 10 the Withholding from
the public OF names OF the non-union men
as their attorneys had desired. After Mr..
Lenahan assented to this. Judge Gray an
nounced that the commission would see
that no unfair use would be made OF its
names
DIR. Darrow insisted that Messrs. Lena
han and O'Brien really represented the
operators and not the non-union men.
Whether they be here in that way or
not" Judge Gray quickly replied. they
represent an important element in the
investigation. men who work for their liv-
Ing and who are interested in the findings
Of this commission. We have considered
that very carefully from all sides
He then directed the attention OF counsel
for the independent operators that the
answers 70 Mr.. MitchelTs demands had
not been signed. This. II was asserted.
was an oversight which would be cor
rected.
A brief redirect examination by Mr..
Darrow brought out no additional evil
dence.
There was a suggestion as to what
should be done in the matter OF child Ia
Dor. and Mr.. Mitchen said that a law
should be enacted providing that after a
certain time children under II years OF
age should not be employed I'm the
breakers. The only way now that the op-
orators could ---ent the evil would be TO
refuse TO employ children until they were
IL years old. IL frequently happened, he
said. that parents swore falsely regarding
the ages OF children.
The miners president. after being under
cross examination OF more than a half
dozen lawyers for four and half days.
then left the witness stand.
John J. Murphy. counsel for the union,
read the Pennsylvania statutes requiring
the measurement Of coal by weight, which
he said he wanted TO put into the record.
The Rev. Peter Roberts OF Mahanoy
City, who Is the author OF a book on the
anthracite coal industry. took the stand
and just began his testimony when a re-
cess for luncheon was taken.