The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-11-18
Taxing TESTIMONY.
The Coal Strike Commission Sit
ting AS a Court.
There Are No Less Than 80 Attorneys,
"a Of Whom Are Looking After
the Interests of the Mine
Owners.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 15.-The anthra-
cite coal strike commission appointed
by President Roosevelt to arbitrate the
differences existing between the mine
workers of the hard coal fields Of Penn
sylvania and their employers, Friday
began the hearing of testimony by
which it will determine whether or not
the workmen are receiving fair and
just wages for their labor and wheth-
er their conditions should not be i'm
proved. The star witness Tor the min
ers, 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 & Hudson Co. 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
session and when the hour Of adjourn
ment was reached Mr.. Wilcox was
still propounding questions and test
ing Mr.. Mitchelfs memory.
The opening of the sessions was a
notable day in the annals of the law
in the upper anthracite regions. Such
an array of lawyers has never been
seen in this part of the state, and it
is doubtful whether attorneys have
ever been so numerous on one side Of
a case in this state as were present in
the interests of coal companies Fri
day. The commissions sessions are
being held in the room of the Penn
sylvania supreme court, which is now
sitting in Philadelphia. Ranged
around three tables in front Of the
seven commissioners who occupied
Judges bench, we're no less than 90
lawyers, "a Of whom we're looking aft
er 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 sections was
packed almost to suffocation, and
scores of persons were unable to gain
admittance.
Grouped about Mr. Mitchell we're
District Presidents Nichols, Duffy and
Fahy, the three district secretaries,
the three national board members and
the members of the three district leg
islative boards of the anthracite field.
Scattered through the spectators were
many practical miners who will be
called upon to take the stand in behalf
of the miners.
During the day Attorney Wilcox
asked Mr.. Mitchell many questions as
TO the policies of the union, the meth
cd Of calling strikes, the ability of the
union to maintain discipline and pre-
vent the members Of the union from
violating the law, and also as to the
liability of the union breaking con-
tracts. 1t was apparent to many of
those present, who understood the sit
nation, that Mr.. WillcoX's object was
to attempt to prove by Mr. Michell's
own testimony that the contention of
the companies that the miners union
was an irresponsible organization was
well founded, and that trade agree
ments therefore could not be safely
entered into with the union.
During the hearing the statements
were brought out for the first time
since the late strike was begun that
the union had disbursed $1,50000C
among the union and non-union men
who were on strike.