Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-20
STILL ON THE STAND.
President Mitchell Cross. Examined
byCoal Companies' Attorneys.
lRBITRATORS GROWING RESTLESS
The Recognition Of the Miners' Union Be-
Ing Opposed by the Companies to Their
Utmost Ability Mac veagh's Princi-
pal Aim IN His Questioning.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 19.-President
for the fourth successive
day, occupied the witness stand dur
ing the two sessions OF the strike
commission and was cross-examined
by three attorneys for as many coal
companies. While considerable
amount of information for the en-
of the commissioners
was brought out, the day was q
rather quiet one compared with those
which have preceded it. The arbi-
traitors are growing restless in con-
sequence Of the long cross-examina-
ton, which apparently does not
bring out the facts as quickly as the
commission would like to have them
presented. Several times during the
course Of yesterdays session Chair
man Gray reminded the attorneys
Of the value Of time and suggested
that cross-examinations be limited
to new features Of those questions
that have already been gone over.
The lawyers assured the commission
that they, too, were anxious to ex-
pedite matters and would do every
thing possible to hurry matters along
without injuring their own case.
Mr.. Mitchell has been on the stand
since last Friday morning and is
showing sign Of WEAKNESS from the
strain of four days cross-examina-
ton. Thus far his attorney, G. 5.
Harrow, and David Wilcox, for the
Delaware & Hudson; Wayne Mac
Veagh, for the Erie; Francis !.
Gowen, for the Lehigh Valley, and
W. W. Ross, for the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna 4 Western company, have ex-
amined the miners president. The
commissioners yesterday for the first
time entered into the discussion with
the lawyers and the witness over dis
putes which arose from time to time
Mr.. MacVeagh, who began the
cross-examination of Mr.. Mitchell on
Saturday, concluded at II o'clock yes
terday. The distinguished attorney
conferred most of his energies in
trying to break down the miners
reasons for asking for yearly agree
ment with the companies on hours OF
labor, wages and other conditions
which, II made, would be a recogni-
ton of the union. Mr.. MacVeagh's
principal aim throughout his ques-
tioning of Mr.. Mitchell was to show
that the mine workers union, be-
cause of alleged acts of intimidation,
violence and the use Of the boycott
by its members, proved itself unfit to
be a party to contract. Mr.. Mitch
ell would not admit, nor even assume
for the sake Of illustrating points, OF
a reign of terror existing in the an.
thracite fields during the last six
months. The recognition of the
union is looked upon as the most i'm
portant question before the commits
sion and it is quite evident from the
trend of the proceedings thus far
that the companies will oppose it te
their utmost ability.
Mr.. Gowen and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding
conditions existing at the collierie'
Of the companies they represent
These questions were more or les
technical. Mr.. Mitchells answers, al
rule, differed very little from tn
reasons given in his preliminar,
statement to the commission for i'm
proved conditions for the mine work
ers. Interest in the proceedings !
not waning. The large. crowds whic
have Deem weugeu In the court room
in the preceding days of the hearing
were in evidence. Neither is Their
a falling of in the attendance o
attorneys, Of whom there are almos
two score present at each session.
In the afternoon Mr.. Ross line q
examining was for some time directe
toward testing Mr.. Mitchell's know
edge of bituminous mine working, tn
number of men employed, the wage
paid and d comparison Of these wit
the wages paid in the anthracit
fields.
After some unimportant testimon
as to a comparison Of wages, the 81
cial features Of the coal fields wa
taken up and Mr.. Mitchell said b
could not see any other reason
child labor than that the families r
,, CURED the money to live on, the e.
; ception being where the parents ma
D be inhuman. He then reiterated h
Q former statement that the minimu
! ! wage should be 5000 year.
eve might want to go to the Sc
!, Shore" said he. Speaking with a Il
9 tin sarcasm. Mr.. Mitchell said TIL
!. the company had some employees wi
had visited Philadelphia once in
years and that they thereby had
important event in their lives to I
!, - late to their grandchildren.
): At four o'clock the commission
y iourned until ten o'clock to-da
g, Mr.. Mitchell still being on the star