Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-15

MITCHELL THE STAR WITNESS.
He Makes n six-Thousand-word
Statement, and Is Subject to .
Searching and AN .A1I-Day Cross
Examination, which Test Hs
Stands well-He is Listened to
with the Closest Attentions.
uakes n six-Thousand-word

SCRANTON. PA. November 1.-THE
anthracite coal strike commission ap.
pointed by President Roosevelt to arbi-
trate the differences between the minor
owners OF the hard coa!-felds OF Penn.
sylvania and their employees. to-day be-
gan hearing the testimony by which 1t
will determine whether the workmen are
receiving fair and Just wages for their
labor. and whether their conditions should
not be improved.
The star witness today, President Mitch.
ell, of the Miners Union. took the stand
this morning. and the hearing adjourn
ed while he was still under fire OF cross
examination by David WILCOX general
counsel OF the Delaware and Hudson
Company. It was a trying day for the
miners leader, but bs seemed to stand
the test well. The heaviest fire of cross
questioning was aimed at him late In
the session, and when the hour of ad.
journmant was reached. Mr.. Wilcox was
still propourd:nE questions and testing
Mr.. Mitchelts memory.
The opening OF the session was a nota-
bic day Ii tho anthracite region. Such
IN array Of lawyers had never been seen
Iul whether attorneys have ever been SO
numerous on one side OF case In thia
State as were present III the interest OF
the coal companies to-day. The sessions
ara being held in the beautiful room OF
the Pennsylvania Superior Court. which
Is now sitting in Philadelphia. Ranged
around three tables In from. OF seven
commissioners who occupied the Judges
bench were no less than thirty lawyers,
twenty-tour OF whom were looking after
the interests OF the mine-owne:s. IN
addition to these there was a large num-
ber OF members of the bar present. who
came to merely look on
Court-Room Packed.
The courtroom at both sessions was
packed almost to suffocation. and scores
of persons were unable to gain admit.
tance. Only one of the heads of the largo
coal companies. Chairman Thomas. Of
the Erie. was present. There were among
the spectators quite a large number OF
general superintendents and district ano
mine superintendents. all OF whom took
a deep interest in the proceedings, and
some OF whom frequently made notes.
Gathered about President Mitchell were
District Presidents Nichols Duffy. and
Fahey. tho three district secretaries. the
three national board members. and the
members OF the three executive boards OF
the anthracite field. Scattered through
tho spectators were many practical
miners, who will be called upon to taks
the stand In behalf OF tho miners claims.
The attitude OF the commissioners was
closely followed by every one In the court
room. They appeared to be greatly In
terested in tho cross-eXamlnation of Mr..
but at times seemed to grow
restless under the ceaseless fire OF que5-
tons aimed at the nine-worksrs leader
Judge Gray. as chairman of the commits.
sion, being versed in court proceedings
and the law. was the only spokesman
for the commission. Ia 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 chair
man asked Mr.. Mitchell whether his orr
ganizatiou approved the act Of withdraw-
ing the necessities of life from those who
had offended the organization. or deny
ing such necessities to them. and he re.
piled: II should say emphatically no.
Policies of Union.
During the day Mr.. Wilcox asked Mr.
Mitchell many questions as to the policies
of the uron. the method OF calling strikes,
the ability OF the union TO maintain dis
cipline. and prevent the members of the
union from violating the law. and also as
to tho liability of the union on contracts.
1t was apparent to many OF those pres-
ent. VINO understood the situation that
CONTINUED ON SIXTH PAGE.)