Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-15
BIC SURPRISE
BY MINERS
SPRUNG
OPERATOR IS PUT ON THE
STAND AND MADE TO AN
sWER QUESTION WHICH He
AT FIRST DECLINED TO DO.

SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. R.-Lawyers for
the miners sprung a surprise on the coal
companies at opening Of yesterdays pro-
ceedings by calling to the witness stand
j. L. Crawford. one of the Independent
operators. He is president Of the Peo-
pies Coal company. which operates the
oxford coIIiery at Scranton. Mr.. Craw-
ford. who has been attending the sessions
each day was surprised to be called and
he remarked as he took the stand:
This is a new turn OF anairs.
when did you ship coal last?' asked
Mr. barrow.
Yesterday"
What are you getting for it7''
II don't know exactly.
Can you come near It'll"
IT can If want to-"
Don't you want tor
mo, sir"
you are a party to this commission
and went to New York to see the coal
operators?"
Eyes sir"
Then you refuse to give this commits
sion that information?"
II don't think I am compelled to tell. :"
(which road do you sell TOT"
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western.
what do you get for it?"
about 65 Per cent Of what the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western gets for
it."
At this point attorneys for the operators
objected to the inquiry proceeding any
further along the lines of what a COM
panys profits were~
Mr.. barrow said he called the witness
to show that the coal companies were
able to pay the advance in wages asked
for.
Wayne Macveagh in his cross-examina-
ton of Mr.. Mitchell, said he intimated
that the increase. il granted. would ulti-
mately be placed on the bowed backs
OF the poor and he wanted to show that
the companies were we'll able to give the
increase asked for without putting it on
the poor.
Mr.. Darrow then continued the exami-
nation.
How many tons do you produce a
dayg'
4 IND you don't know how much you
get for ft2'
Il can give an estimate"
We'll, what is it?r
About $3.50 ton"
On further examination, Mr.. Crawford
said that during the latter part Of the
strike when his colliery 1gaa In operation
he got $50 a ton for his coal.
Chairman Gray here stopped the exami-
nation. saying that the exceptionally high
Qf1CGM 0OfLn6 the SU1kS were not peru
nent to the inquiry.
The miners called several witnesses
who told of conditions at the collisries OF
the A. Pardee company, in the Hazleton
region. One OF the witnesses was a boy
who said he lost leg in the mines. re-
ceived nothing for it's loss. but instead,
when he returned to work the company
took off his wages his fathers debts.
Mr.. Darrow here announced that the
miners expect to close their case this
week and now gave notice for the other
side to be ready next week
The companies attorneys said they de-
sired a recess for a short time after the
miners close to complete the preparations
Of their case.
Chairman Gray said he hoped there
would be no interruption in the sessions
the mines OF the Delaware, LackaWanna
and Western were called to testify TO
the sizes OF the cars at the company's
collieries. They claimed this size was
increased without a corresponding in
crease in prices. The company maintained
that their grievance was adjusted, but
this the men deny.
Rev. ]. j. O'Donnell, a priest of Oil
plant, testified that the mine workers
OF his town. generally speaking, were law
abiding and that there was very little
violence He sympathiged with the men
he said, but he believed their cause was
just and that they had done everything
honorable to avoid the strike.