The daily Republican., 1902-11-15
HEARING SIDE
OF THE STRIKERS.
Arbitration Commission Be-
gins Taking of Testimony
at Scranton.
MITCHELL A WITH ESS.
Miners and Operators Repre-
sented by Great Array of
Legal Talent.


| SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. 15.-The an
pointed by President Roosevelt to arbi
trate the differences existing between
the mine workers of the hard coal
fields of Pennsylvania and their EN-.
ployers has begun the hearing of teSti-
, mony by which it will determine
whether or not the workmen are re.
ccivinS 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 4 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 a
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
full whether attorneys have ever been
50 numerous on one side of a case in
this state as were present in the inter
ests Of the coal companies. The COM
missions sessions are being held in the
beautiful room of the PENNSYLVANIA
superior court, which is now sitting in
Philadelphia, Ranged around three ia.
bltS in front Of the seven commission
ers who occupied the Judges bench
were no less than thirty lawyers, TWEEN
ty-four of Whon were looking after the
interests Of the mine owners.
In addition to these there was large
humber Of members Of the bar present
who came TO merely look on. The court
room at both sessions was packed al
most TO SutfOcati0n, and scores of per-
sons were unable to gain admittauce.
Only one OF the heads of the large coal
companies, Chairman Thomas Of the
Eric, was present. There were among
the spectators quite large number of
general sup"rutcndcntS and district
and mine superntnndentS, all of whom
tool; a deep interest in he proceedings,
and some OF them frequently made
notes.
Grouped abou. Mr.. Mitchell were
District Presidents Nichols Duffy and
Fahy, the three district secretaries, the
three national board members and the
meLhcrS OF tie three district executive
boards Of the anthracite field.
The attitude Of the commissioners
was closely followed by every one in
the rOurtrounL They appeared to be
greatly Interested in the cross cXam- 4.
nation Of Mr.. Mitchell, but at times
seemed to grow restless under the
ceaSolcSs fire Of questions aimed at the
mine workers lcudrr. Judge Gray, as
vcrscd in court proceedings and in the
law, was the only spokesman for the
CUnnIisHiOn. He at times asked uucs-
tons and AT the very close of the com
missions stssion directed quory at
Mr.. Mitchell which Mr., Wilcox had
been Leading up 10 for Soil" time The
chairman asked Mr.. Muripll whether
his organization approved the act of
withdrawing from or denying the nee
esSdricS Of life 10 ihOSr Whn had Of.
fcltl,d tlir organ!za ion, and he re-
Piled, 81 Should say cmphalcally no"
During the day Mr. Wilcox asked
MI Mitchell many questions as to the
policies Of the union, the mlhGd of
cHilin" strikes, the ability Of the union
to nGNN&i'r discipline and prevent the
mclubrra Of the uuion from Violating
the law ana also as 10 the liability of
the union breaking contracts 1t was
apparent 10 many Of rnusc present who
understood the situation. hat Mr.. VIII
COX ) Object was 10 attcmpt to aoye
by Mr. Mitchrli'S own testimony that
the miners union was an irresponsible
organization and thNt trade agreements
therefore could not be safely entered
into was well founded.
During the hearing the statement
was brought out for the first time
since the late strike was naugurated
that the union had disburscd 81 100000
among the union ANA nonuniun men
who We're on strike.
One of the questions yet undecided
which came up before the commission
was the HdvisUhiIity Of hearing coun-
sd on hehnf Of the nOnunion men who
remained at work during the strike.
Mr.. Mitchell before taking the wit
ness stand in the forenoon presented
the miners side of the case in a 5000
word statement. 1t took him forty min
utcs to read his address. and he was
listened to by the commissioners and
the operators with the closest attcn.
tinn