Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1902-11-15
TIE SIRlk I ElEARING
Commission Begins Taking
Testimony at Scranton,
PRESIDENT MITCHELL A WITNESS.
Miners and Operators Represented
by a Great Array of Legal Taxi
eDt-Deep Interest In
proceedings.

SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. 15.-The an
thracite coal strike commission ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt to arb1-
lrate the differences existing between
The mine workers of the hard coal
fields Of Pennsylvania and their en-
ployers has begun the hearing of testl-
mony by which 1t will determine
whether or not the workmen are re-
eeiying fair and just wages for their
labor and whether their conditions can
be improved The star witness for the
miners President John Mitchell, took
the stand in the forenoon, and when
the commission adjourned at o'clock
In the afternoon he was still under the
FIRE Of cross examination by David w.
Wilcox, general counsel of the Della
ware and Hudson company. 1t was
trying day for the miners leader, but
he seemed to stand the test well. The
heaviest fire of cross questions was
aimed at him late in the afternoon ses-
sion, and when the hour of adjourn
ment was reached Mr.. Wilcox was
still propounding questions and testing
Mr. Mitchell's memory.
The opening of the sessions 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 doubt
ful whether attorneys have ever been
so numerous on one side Of a case in
this state as were present in the inter-
ests Of the coal companies. The COM
,1e,c hn1d in
beautiful room of the Pennsylvania
superior court, which~is now sitting in
philadelphia. Ranged around three ta-
bles in front of the seven commissions
Ers who occupied the judges benchS
were no less than thirty lawyers, TWEEN
;y-four Of whom were looking after the
interests Of the mine owners.
In addition to these there was a large
number of members of the bar present
who came to merely look on. The court
room at both sessions was packed al
most to suffocation, and scores Of per-
sons were unable to gain admittance.
Only one of the heads of the large coal
companies, Chairman Thomas of the
Erie, was present. There were among
the spectators quite large number of
general superintendent and district
ind mine superintendents, all of whom
iook deep interest in the proceedings,
and some of them frequently made
notes.
Grouped about Mr.. Mitchell were
District Presidents Nichols, Duffy and
Fahy, the three district secretaries, the
three national board members and the
members of the three district executive
boards of the anthracite field.
The attitude of the commissioners
was closely followed by every one in
the courtroom. They appeared to be
greatly interested in the cross exami-
nation Of Mr.. Mitchell, but at times
seemed to grow restless under the
eeaseless fire of questions aimed at the
mine workers leader. Judge Gray, as
chairman of the commission, being
gersed in court proceedings and in the
law, was the only spokesman for the
commission. He at times asked ques-
lions and at the very close OF the com
missions session directed a query at
Mr.. Mitchell which Mr.. Wilcox had
peen leading up to for some time. The
chairman asked Mr.. Mitchell whether
ills dlJplONCu l11C act I'll
withdrawing from or denying the nee
Essaries of life to those who had of
Tended the organization, and he re-
Piled, II should say emphatically no."
During the day Mr.. Wilcox asked
Mr.. Mitchell many questions as to the
policies of the union, the method of
calling strikes, the ability of the union
70 maintain discipline and prevent the
members of the union from violating
the law and also as to the liability of
the union breaking contracts. 1t was
apparent to many of those present who
understood the situation that Mr.. Will
coX's object was to attempt to prove
by Mr.. Mitchelrs own testimony that
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 vigil founded.