Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-21
,raae union matters.
courts and Labor Interests.

trade union matters.
Courts and Labor interests.
The attorney and the witness wan
lered from the rules Of cross-exam-
nation and INDUCED in an argument
over the propriety OF anyone CRITICS.
ing acts and decisions of courts.
Mr.. MacVeagh concluded his cross
examination at this point.
AS soon as Mr.. MacVeagh had
finished Judge Gray announced that
the commission did not wish to limit
the liberty of anyone appearing in
this case as representing others, but
they believed they had obtained as
much information as they are likely
to get on the subjects touched upon.
Judge Gray announced, however,
that if there was any new line of ex.
animation the commission would not
; object to hearing the testimony.
Commission Asks Questions.
For the first time during the ses-
| sion, the members of the commission
then entered into a general cross
examination of the witness on
points which the previous testimony
had not brought out.
Replying to Bishop Spalding, Mr..
Mitchell said that operators could
form coalition and stop the mining
of coal throughout the United States.
"They could do the same as we
could" said he, "and especially now
when the coal fields of the country
o,ra s~,%1 ,l1 ,e e.,
men,"
! Commissioner Watkins thought
the law would prevent the operators
doing that, by reason of their in
corporation, but Mr.. Mitchell said
that they had the right to shut down
their mines.
Judge Gray asked the witness if
his society did not depend, after all,
on the old economic truth that all
great forces which tend to uplift and
carry on social advancement and
1 civilization depend upon the average
desire of the individual to better his
own condition and to work fol
wages; and upon the desire of mar
who has property to utilize it anc
get an income from it. 81 think thai
probably is true" was AIitchell's re
Spouse.
Judge Gray-If you can imagine all
men ceasing to work at once the
whole social machine would stop.
Mr.. Mitchell said: "Yes.''
Commissioner Wright asked: "De
you consider it iustifiable for the EN-
ployers in certain district in order
to resist the demands of the labor
union, to paralyze that industry o,
any group of industries?'
! mo, do not think it is proper
Mr.. Mitchell replied.
"Would the same answer be mad,
if ] should substitute unions instead
of 'employers?'
II think in either case,'' answered
Mr.. Mitchell. "some other avenue OF
adjustment than the paralyzation
of the industry should be sought"
Attitude of Union on Incorporation
Mr.. Mitchell, answering commits
sioners, said the United Mine Work
ers did not incorporate because tn,
step was not necessary. An organi
zation to become financially re
sponsible, he said, must have a large
fund, and this the working people did
not have. He said that employers
who object to treating or contract.
ing with the union because it is no,
incorporated would oppose treating
with it anyhow.
Commissioner Wright asked Mr.
Mitchell what he meant by recogni
ton OF the union, and the witness re
piled: 1T means that employers shall
make agreements regulating hours
of labor, wages, ETC., with the union
and that the union as such would BIZ
held responsible for rigid compli
ance with those agreements"
Afternoon Session.
When the afternoon session began
Mr.. Ross examined Mr.. Mitchell at
great length on bituminous mining in
and about Spring Valley. ILL.,, where
Mr.. Mitchell dug coal for a doze1
Years. Mr.. Ross passed to the hours
worked by the miners and in the
course of long line of questions Mr.
Mitchell said that on the days tn,
breakers are worked ten hours, thu
miners are in the mines seven, eigh,
and nine hours. The attorney the1
took up the question of increase Of
wages and the witness stood by the
reasons given in his preliminary state.
ment of the miners case tn the com.
mission. The commission adjourned
until to-day. Mr.. Mitchell was still on
the stand.