The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-15

rected at Leader, Which He Stands
without FIinching-Gathering i'm
Court Room IA Notable One-NIitch-
ell Before Taking the Stand Pre-
sents the Mine Workers Case in n
six-ThOusand Word Statement.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 1.-THE anthra-
cite coal strike commission appointed
10 arbitrate the difference existing be-
tween the mine workers Of the hard
coal fields of Pennsylvania and their
ernployers to-day began the hearing
of testimony by which it will deter
mine whether or not the workmen
are receiving fair and just wages for
their labor and whether their condition
should not be improved. The star wit
ness for the miners-President John
Mitchell-took the stand in the fore
noon. and when the commission adj
iourned at O'Clock in the afternoon
he was still under the fire of cross
examination by David w. Wilcox,
general counsel Of the Delaware and
Hudson company. 1t was trying day
for Mr. Mitchell, 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.. Mitchells
memory.
The opening of the session was a
notable day in the annals of the law
in the upper anthracite region. Such
an array of lawyers has never been
seen in this part of the state, and 1t
is doubtful whether attorneys have
ever been so numerous on one side
OF a case in this state as were present
in the interest of the coal companies
to-day The commissions sessions are
being held in the beautiful room of
the Pennsylvania Superior Court,
which is now sitting in Philadelphia.
Ranged around three tables in front
of the seven commissioners who oc-
cupied the judges bench were no less
than thirty lawyers, twenty-four of
whom were looking after the interest
of the mine owners.
In addition to these there was a
large number of members of the bar
present who came to merely look on.
The courtroom at both sessions was
packed almost to suffocation and scores
of persons were unable to gain admit
large coal companies, Chairman
Thomas of the Erie, was present.
There were among the spectators quite
a large number of general superinten-
dents and district and mine superin-
tendents, all of whom took deep in
terest in the proceedings, and some
of them frequently made notes.
Grouped about Mr. Mitchell were
District Presidents Nichols, Duffy and
Fahy, the three district secretaries,
the three national board members, the
members of the three district executive
boards of the anthracite field. Scat
tered through the spectators were
many practical miners who will be
called upon to take the stand in be-
half of the miners.
The attitude of the commissioners
was closely followed by everyone in
the courtroom. They appeared to be
greatly interested in the cross exam
ination of Mr.. Mitchell. but at times
seemed to grow restless 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
of the commission. He at times asked
questions and at the very close of
the afternoon session directed a 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 of Withdrawing from or denying
the necessaries 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
&c friIr abb % 11n YIr1iA
to maintain discipline 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.. Will
cox's object was to attempt to prove
by Mr.. Mitchell's own testimony that
the contention of the companies that
the miners union was an irresponsible
organization and that trade agreements
therefore could not be safely entered
into was well founded.
During the hearing the statement
was brought out for the first time
since the late strike was inaugurated
that the union had disbursed $1,500.000
among the union and non-union men
who were on strike.
One of the questions which came up
before the commission was the advisa-
bility of hearing counsel on behalf OF
the non-union men who remained at
work during the strike. Attorney John
i. Lenahan, one of the attorneys for
the non-union men. asked the COM
mission what his status before the ar
bitrators was. Judge Gray informed
him the question would be taken un-
DER consideration and that an answer
would probably be given him to-mor-
row.
Mr. Mitchell, before taking the wit
ness stand in the forenoon. presented
the miners side of the case in a 5000
word statement. 1t took him forty min
utes to read his address and he
was listened to by the COM
missioners and the operators with
The closest attention. 1t is not unlike
~ that Mr.. Mitchell will be on the
stand all day tomorrow, and probably
longer. 1t is the intention of the min
ers 10 next call on Rev. Peter Roberts
OF Mahanoy City, who has an intimate
knowledge of anthracite mining, and is
me author of a book on the subject.
During the hearing all the attorneys
look copious notes, and 1t looks as II
me investigation will be long drawn out
unless some arrangement for curtail-
ing the cross-examination of witnesses
u agreed upon.
Mr. Mitchell prefaced his statement
With the hope that the commission
would succeed in esta blishing a rela-
uonship between the operators and the
miners, that will insure peace and sta
DiiitV IN the