Evening journal., 1902-12-06
MINERS CHARGE
BLACK LISTING
Testify to Such Methods
Being Resorted to by the
Coal Companies
NO SIGNS OF EARLY SETTLEMENT

M 0lhh0 UI [RnLI OIL lLLMLhl
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 6.-The lawyers
for the mine workers continued to call
witnesses yesterday before the strike
commission to testify to the alleged
black-listing methods pursued by sew
erel coal companies in refusing to re-
employ strikers who took a more or
less prominent part in the affairs OF
the Mine Workers Union during the
recent suspension. All of them said
they had been employed before the
strike, but were refused their old
places after the strike was ended. In
most cases, according to the testi-
mony, no satisfactory reason was given
why they were not taken back. Two
blind men, who were also otherwise
badly injured by underground explo-
sions, we're presented as living evil
dence of the dangers in the mines.
Nothing could be learned here with
reference to the reported efforts at a
settlement outside the commission.
None Of the attorneys for either side
professed to know anything about any
contemplated move in that direction.
Wayne MacVeagh, who is representing
the Erie Railroad coal properties, was
the only attorney in position to
know who could talk about the mat
ter. He left here accompanied by
Commissioner Parker yesterday after
noon for New York, as the testimony
now being presented to the commits
sion does not concern Mr.. MacVeagh's
clients to an extent which makes his
presence necessary.
The departure of Mr. MacVeagh and
Mr.. Parker for New York gave rise to
a rumor that the distinguished attor-
ney was going there to consult with
the operators on the settlement
scheme, but when he was seen just
before he left the city he said he did
not know whom he would see there.
not know whom he would see there.
Recent events have given ground for
the belief that the result Of the nego-
tiations now in progress will be the
ultimate sale OF the properties Of the
individual operators to the large coal
carrying companies. This will not be
done at once, but it is certain to come
in the not distant future. because It
is the only solution of the present sit
uation and is the outcome which both
the independents and the large com
panies desire. It is estimated that
the collieries of the 67 Independent
operators can be purchased for s145,
100000. These operations produce
three-tenths of the total output of coal
Attorney Darrow, for the miners
presented two witnesses who had beer
injured in the mines. Both were stone
blind. and had to be led TO the stand
One of them, besides losing both eyes
in an explosion, lost one arm, and the
hand of the other arm was rendered
useless. The other blind man los
part of one OF his ears in the explosion
In which he was caught.
After they left the stand the attor
neys for the operators protested
against bringing these unfortunate
men to the witness stand. They wer'
injured before the strike, and had NJ
direct bearing on the matter befor'
the commission. They sympathize'
with the men, but thought it was no
the right thing to have them appea
before this commission.
Mr.. Darrow said he did not inten
to overdo the presentation of sucl
witnesses, but he wanted to bring tn
commission to a realizing sense Q
the dangers of coal mining.
Chairman Gray here broke in an
said he hoped the thing would not b
overdone. 1--WE have a realizing sens
of the conditions" he said. "and ma
say that l never saw a sadder spect;
Gle than that presented by these tw
men,"
Rev. j. ]. Curran, the Roman Catl
olic clergyman of Wilkesbarre, oecl
pied the witness stand during the r
mainder of the session. He gave
description of the conditions undo
which the mine workers live, which
somewhat similar to that given Thur
day by Father Hussie, of Hazleto
In answer to questions put by Judg
Gray, Father Curran said he was o
posed to the boycott and the blach-lis
This sentiment raised the approval
the chairman, who said that If bo
colts were permitted the count
would go to pieces"