Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1902-11-18
MITCHELL is WARY
Attorney MeVeagh Trying to
Put Him in Tight Place.
THE HEARING IS DRAGGING
Commissioners May Suggest That
Something Be Done to Expedite
Matters-It Will Take Many Weeks
to Finish if They Don't.

Scranton, Pa, Nov 1S.-Another
large crowd was in attendance in the
superior court room today when the
anthracite coal strike commission be-
gan its fourth days sitting. Mr. Mitch
ell, who has been on the stand since
last Friday, took his place in the wit
ness box and his cross-examination
was resumed. 1t was the general
opinion of attorneys to-day that some
arrangement will have to be made TO
shorten the inquiry. At the rate pro-
gress is now being made it will take
many weeks to hear both sides to the
controversy. If counsel takes no ac-
ton 1t is likely the commission will
suggest that something be done. The
commissioners recognize that Presl-
dent Mitchell is the most important
witness the miners have and they are
loath to have matters hurried while ne
is on the stand. He being the presl-
dent of the union his opinions are
looked upon as official and also as re-
fecting the policy of the organization.
Before proceeding to the examina-
ton. John r. Lenahan of Wilkesbarre,
one of the attorneys for the non-union
up their case. handed to the commits
sion a list of 1000 names of non-union
men as his authority for appearing be-
fore the arbitrators. He did not wish
the commission to make the names
public at this time, but as Chairman
Gray said everything filed with the
commission is public matter the names
were unofficially handed in and were
not given out for publication. He also
fled a statement of the non-union de-
mands which We're published this
morning.
Mr. MacVeagh in resuming his cross
examination said he would be glad to
get an expression as to the influence
of acts of violence upon the temper
and disposition of the union men said
to have committed them.
The witness said that he would not
assume that the acts of violence are
true. s'If." said he, "tForest City
which had been referred to would be
an example of towns and cities in the
anthracite field it would Indicate that
we were a very law-abiding, religious
people,
.sThe question" Mr. MacVeagh said,
SIS whether or not you have taken the
proper methods to prevent repetition
of violent acts when they have oc-
curred.' He did not care. he said, by
whom these were committed. What
am trying to show" he continued.
ssis that there is a growing spirit of
violence and disregard of law in your
organization and that your influence
over them is insufficient to keep them
Iaw-abiding and peaceable as you de-
siES them to be-"
rnder this arraignment of the union
Mr. Mitchell retained his complete COM
posure The question met with ready
response. 1.-THE fear that my infiu-
ence." said he, "is not sufficient to de-
ter men from the commission of crime
is a contradiction Of the claims often
made about me-"
He was free to say that some men
may have been deferred from going to
work because of violence. but the strike
itself lost more in public opinion by
reason of that than it could possibly
gain.
The cross-eXaminer and the witness
then plunged into a spirited colloquy
over the question of whether one man
has a right to prevent another man
from selling his labor.
The best answer Mr. MacVeagh could
draw from the miners chief was that
he did not approve of anyone commit
ting an unlawful act
Commissioner Wright asked Mr.
Mitchell the following:
''Do you consider it justifiable for
employers in a certain district, in order
to resist the demands of the union. to
paralyze that industry?'
Mr. Mitchell answered ssNo."
tsWould the same answer be made if
I should substitute union in place of
empIoyers?"
ST think in either case" answered
Mr. Mitchell "some other avenue of ad.
1ustment should be sought"