Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-21
HE HAD A LONG SIEGE
President Mitchell Spends Fourth
Day on Stand.
MACYEAGH'S EXAMINATION ENDED.

Commissioners Take a Hand In the
Quertion-Abntract of Important
Parts of the Session on
Tuesday.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 19.-President
Mitchell, for the fourth successive day,
occupied the witness stand during the
two sessions of the strike commission
and was cross-examined by three at
torneys for as many coal companies.
While considerable amount of infor-
nation for the enlightenment of the
commissioners was brought out, the
day was rather quiet one. compared
with those which have preceded it,
The arbitrator are growing restless
in consequence of the long cross-ex-
animation which apparently does not
bring out the facts as quickly as the
commission would like to have them
presented. Several times during the
course of to-day's session Chairman
Gray reminded The attorneys of the
value of time and suggested that cross
examination be limited to new feat
ures of those questions that have al
ready been gone over. The lawyers
assured the commission that they, too,
were anxious to expedite matters, and
would do everything possible to hurry
matters along without injuring their
own case. Mr.. Mitchell has been on
the stand since last Friday morning,
and is showing signs of WEAKNESS
from the strain of four days cross
examination. Thus far his attorney,
G. S. barrow. and David Wilcox. for the
Delaware & Hudson, Wayne Mac
Veagh, for the Erie; Francis /. Gowen
for the Lehigh Valley, and w. w. Ross
for the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western company, have examined the
miners president. The commissioners
on Tuesday for the first time entered
into the discussion with the lawyers
and the witness over disputes which
arose from time to time.
Macveagh Concludes.
MacVeagh, who began his cross-ex-
animation Of Mr.. Mitchell on Saturday
concluded at II o'clock Tuesday. The
distinguished attorney centered mos,
of his energies in trying to break dowr
the miners reasons for asking for !:
yearly agreement with the companies
on hours of labor, wages and other
conditions, which, if made, would be
recognition of the union. Mr.. Mac.
Neagh's principal aim throughout his
questioning of Mr.. Mitchell was to
show that the mine workers union
because of alleged acts of intimida
ton, violence and the use of the boy
colt by its members, proved itself uni,
to be party to contract. Mr.
Mitchell would not admit, nor ever
assume for the sake of illustrating
points of reign of terror existing in
the anthracite fields during the last
six months. The recognition of the
union 10 looked upon as the most i'm
portant question before the commits
sion, and it is quite evident from TIL,
trend OF the proceedings thus far tina
the companies will oppose it to theil
utmost ability.
Morning Session.
Mr.. MacVeagh in resuming his cross
examination said he would be glad to
get an expression as to the influence
of acts Of violence upon the temper
and disposition of the union men
said to have committed them. The
witness said that he would not assume
that the acts of violence are true
eff" said he, forest City, which has
been referfed to, would be an example
of all towns and cities in the anthra.
cite field, it would indicate that We
were very law-abiding, religious
people"
1.-THE question" Mr.. MacVeagh said
sis whether or not You lave taken the
proper methods to prevent repeti
ton of violent acts when they have
occurred"
He did not care, he said, by whom
these were committed. what an
trying toShow," he continued, lis tina,
there is growing spirit of violence
and disregard of law in your organi
cation and that your influence over
them is insufficient to keep them law.
abiding and peaceable as you desire
them to be-"
Under this arraignment of the union,
Mr.. Mitchell retained his complete
composure. The question met with a
ready response. 1.-THE fear that my in
fuence," said he, sis not sufficient to
deter men from the commission of
crime is contradiction Of the claims
often made about me-"
He was free to say that some men
may have been deferred from going t.
work because OF violence, but tn.
strike itself lost more in public opin
ion by reason of that than it could
possibly gain.
The cross-examiner and the witness
then plunged into spirited colloquy
over the question of whether one man
has right to prevent another man
from selling his labor.
The best answer Mr.. MacVeagh could
draw from the miners chief was that
he did not approve of anyone commit
ting an unlawful act.
Question of Anarchy.
Mr.. MacVeaah read statement re.
garding the right to strike as be-
longing to the personal freedom of
workingmen. He also took the view
that in exercising hat freedom those
who cease to work must not interfere
with the liberty of others who wish
to work.
I'VE do not want anarchy" said
oil