The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-15

hard coal fields of Pennsylvania and thei
employers to-day began the hearing of tes
timony by which it will determine whethe
the workmen are receiving fair and jus
wages for their labor and whether thei
] conditions should not be improved.
The star witness for the miners. Preslden
John Mitchell, took the stand in the fore
noon, ana when the commission adjourned
at O'Clock in the afternoon he was still Tn
der the fire of cross-examinaton by Dav.t
| w. WILCOX general counsel for the Della
ware and Hudson Company.
TRYING DAY FOR MITCHELL.
| 1t was trying day for the miners lead
| er, 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 adjournment was
| reached Mr.. Wilcox was still propounding
| questions and testing Mr.. MitcherPs mem
DRY.
The opening of the sessions was a notable
day in the annals of the law in the upper
anthracite region. Such an array of law
yers has never been seen In this part of the
State, and 1t is doubtful whether attorneys
have ever been SO numerous on side
OF case in this State as were present in
the interests of the coal companies to-day.
The commissions sessions are being held
In the beautiful room Of the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court. which Is now sitting in
Philadelphia. Ranged around these tables
in front of seven Commissioners. who oc-
cuped the Judges bench were no less than
thirty lawyers, twenty-four Of whom were
looking after the interests of the mine
owners.
MITCHELL UNDER FIRE.
The attitude of the Commissioners was
closely followed by every one in the court
room. They appeared to be greatly inter-
ested in the cross-examination of Mr..
Mitchell, but at times seemed to grow rest
less under the ceaseless fire of questions
aimed at the mine workers leader. Judge
Gray, as chairman Of the commission be-
ing Versed in court proceedings and in the
law. was the only spokesman for the COM
mission. He at times asked questions, and
at the very close of the afternoon session
directed query at Mr.. Mitchell which
Mr.. Wilcox had been leading up to for some
time. The chairman asked Mr. Mitchell
whether his organization approved the act
Withdrawing from or denying the neces-
sartes Of life to those who had offended the
organization. and he replied:
Il 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 to maintain disci-
pline 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..
Willcoxs object was to attempt to prove
by Mr.. Mitche.fs own testimony the
contention Of the companies that the min
ers union was an irresponsible organization
ana that trade agreements with 1t. there
fore. could not be safely entered into.
During the hearing the statement was
brought out for the first time since the
late strike was inaugurated, that the union
had disbursed s1.50O.000 among the union
and nonunion men who were on strike
CROSS S-EXAMINATION.
In the afternoon Mr.. Wilcox resumed the
examination of Mr.. Mitchell and read news
paper accounts referring to the proceedings
Of the Indianapolis convention. at which 1t !
was proposed to call for national conven-
lion Of all miners employed in the United |
States for the purpose of considering the |
situation In the anthracite fields and a gen.
eral suspension Of work. Mr.. Mitchell said |
he did not recall the statement as it was
read. although It might be correct.
Mr.. Wilcox: "As understand 1t, workers |
IA the bituminous fields ara under con-
tracts" 4a !
Mr.. Mitchell: ''Yes. SIR"
Mr.. Wilcox: And you say these contracts
are superior to the constitution of the |
United Mine Workers.
Mr.. Mitchell: Yes, SIR"
Mr.. Wilcox: How. then, could that con.
'endon have considered the question Of in
augurating a national suspension?"
Mr.. Mitchell: 1T did not consider It, be-
,ause. by unanimous vote, 1t was decided !
lot to inaugurate a national suspension. 1t
sas called for the purpose OF considering the
application Of the anthracite miners that a
strike be inaugurated in the
'ituminous coal fields"
OBJECT OF CONVENTION.
Mr.. Wilcox: what was the object OF
he conventionr'
Mr. Mitchell: well, had my own rea-
'ons for not telling them that They knew
t The real purpose Of the convention was
arried out and $1.5O0.000 was secured from
hem to help to sustain these anthracite
men while on strike"
Mr.. WILCOX then inquired II, under the
constitution of the United Mine Workers,
hould there be strike In the Western
bituminous mines, and 1t
hould turn out that anthracite coal was
DING there. the national officers could not
rder strike In the anthracite district I
Or. Mitchell, with emphasis. said that they
ouio not, and In support Of his statement.
cad from one OF the agreements of the
asuminous operators. In which 1t was ex-
'ressiy provided that the contract could
oe De set aside because Of any rules Of the
United Mine Workers now in force. or |
fhich may hereafter be adopted, nor be-
ause Of any provisions Of their State or
zeal constitutions.
THE constitution gives the president a |
ood deal OF discretion, don't ttf' inquired
dr. Wilcox.
That is true Of every constitution" an
wered Mr.. Mitchell; even the Constitution ,
( the United States"
What methods do you adopt to prevent
aterference with nonunion mcny' asked
ir. WILCOX.
We'll. ordinarily" said Mr.. Mitchell. ..in
he bituminous fields all the mine workers |
4 States where they have contracts are ]
lembers of the organization In parts OF |
entral and Western Pennsylvania they are |
OF. They work together In harmony. There
no difficulty between them The organiza- /,
lon tries by persuasion to have the nom
nionist come into the union In the an L {
hracite field they have worked the same
iay.'' !
There Is no definite method Of prevent {
,g interference or anything done on that
inject particularly. is therer'
There Is usually no interference, and
'nsegusnsiy n, no o. NECESSITY Of having laws
Speaking very slowly. and with an evid=nt !
estre to impress the question upon tho
,mrnittee. Mr.. Wilcox asked: sMr. Mitch {
derable violence In the anthracite regions. 2
as there notr' ts
SOME DISTURBANCE. f.