Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-18
CALM AND SMILING
Pres. Mitchell Meets the Cross Fire of
Attorney Wilcox.

| Scranton, Pa, Nov. 11.-Buffeted by the
sharp examination of David Wilcox
of the Delaware IL Hudson Company, and
| Wayne MacNeagh of the Pennsylvania
and the Hillside Coal &, Iron Company
| President John Mitchell of the United
| Mine Workers, was Stflt calm and smiling
| at the end of Saturdays sitting OF the
strike commission. Simple and complex
questions he mad answered quickly or at
the end of a few moments thought lie
| had freely given his views regarding alb
Stract propositions, direct conditions and
! possible circumstances, and at the close
Of the day the cross-examiners had gain
| ed no apparent advantage. They have
! yet much in store for Mr.. Mitchell. At
tOrncyS representing the other companies
are waiting for him, and his examination
may continue for some days.
Mr. Mitchell showed no indication OF
being weary. Through the examination
he stood sOlidly for the principle incor-
porated in the union demands and made
it evident that he expected recognition of
the union to result from the findings of
the commission.
At one point in the examination Judge
Gray was not quite clear as to the mean
ing of his answers to questions. Presi-
cent Mitchell explained: our demand is
that the rate of wages and the condition
of employment be embodied in an agree
ment between the union and the oper-
atOrs.'
This was clear and decisive, and came
after repeated insstence by Mr. Mac
veagh that the companies he represents
do not oppose trade agreements with
employees, but oppose recognition of the
union, because they do not believe either
the companies or the employees would
be benefited by il.
Mr. MacVeagh made a point of the
fact that if an increase in wages is
granted. an increase in the price of coal
would follow. and that this would be an
additional burden on the people in the
eastern cities who have 10 buy anthra-
cite
do YOU think" he asked Mr. Mitchell
that YOU should so affect a great in
duStry?"
IF an industry cannot nav reasonable
living wages then if is NOT = heneft tn
the country" said Mr. Mitchell
Mr. Mitchell anewarino, fnrtbar ,,,as I
lions soid he regardad &c iitinCr ,,a.,ts
for miner not Iese fban Seoo nar 49,,
which ,vn,,id oo,,o,. ~ 49,, ~
and marnit hin, t edncat H. ~ nSfGSslties
A. M. oi,t r5, ,ra - eii 4i eI
ness if he meant 10 saw a wa@re I'm ic1t
To permit the children fo avaii tberopni,,ls
of ~ rI,I,i Cl h ~ ava themselves
lion nf tho fan,ii, inc -, q" ~, apeiid por
ana ,,fi;otf - ,.inn -, iIp- d tioIi
g. ,,,,I,. Ina L. -, t ~
come II M fn,;py - III W ne n
eUprad in tho affirr3a+i,-a "i'i'eA@ an
II ,e,,I,. 70 anathn,. ,,,e,; A. ~.
cbeii eaid tbot ~ H. i, ~. Nil
ar The ni,tgnt that III a;rs n,u hrow ,i
90 ~ i hnard ~ arhitrat;nr fh,. mouiI
bove aSl,cd for ~, co ~ ~ my wo.lu
arhitrators were eettling ~ "i ,n,,;l'.
ihev wonId settle n right He III va
nerson,I vie,,s ~ offer an ~ lt ,,i ny
of members Of tho t,nion ininins, tha 81.
lion sIIard bit he feIt tbnt the,, sbo M,
~ me Ss'ili ~ ri ISM, ana privileges
Th ~ ny ~ 49, ~ tnai respect.
,it hel ~ W. a loIiS coIitroNersy over the
Sieted hot - th;, -. r;a.i $3.50 81 ~, m