The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-18

ployment. Pointing out what he con-
sidered the iniquities of this branch of
unionism. Mr.. MacNeagh asked MIR.
Mitchell if he could consistently ask
the commission to force the operators
to deal with unionism. MIR. Mitchell
said he knew nothing of this associa-
tion, it's rules or the causes which led
to the adoption. and therefore would
not care to pass upon them, but on
The surface, he would say the associa-
tion in question was not acting in u
fair manner.
Must Use Anthracite.
Mr.. MacNeagh spent some time In
showing that 100000 poor, in the cities
uf the Atlantic coast, who must use an
thracite if there was any fuel, arc, to-
day without means OF buying II, and
pointing out that these poor number
three times the members of the anthra-
cite miners ranks, asked Mr.. Mitchell
If ho would favor increasing the diff
ticulty to those people of securing coal
by adding to its cost. Mr.. Mitchell re-
piled that the cost Of coal was, entirely
regulated by the operators, and the
union, not being consulted in the mat
ter was in no wise responsible.
Mr.. MacVeagh repeated his question
in this form: Are you in favor of in
sisting in your demands despite the fact
that 100000 poor people will have to
deprive themselves of bread to help
accord you your demands?" Mr.. Nit
chcl replied that the miner has %
right to have living wages for his
labor. This. Mr.. MacVeagh character
.fzed as a repetition of the old question,
"Am ! my brothers. keeper? which the
devil has been inducing human sell
fishness to ask always through the lips
of Cain"
Taking up the demand that coal COM
panies shall not have authority to hire
private guards for their properties.
Mr. MacVeagh asked why the coal
companies should thus be discriminate
cd against. Mr.. Mitchell's answer was
to the effect that the system had grown
generally pernicous and because it
was only right and proper the regularly
constituted authorities of the state
should select the men who are to act as
guards.
In defense Of the charge made by Mr..
Mitchell that the coal and iron police
We're "criminals." Mr.. MacVeagh read
the occupations and reports on conduct
anu W lIlt HltIl WIN StlNtu
guards at the Erie colieries. They
We're clerks. inspectors, surveyors,
agents. students. farmers. and the like.
and only in one or two cases did those
who had supervision Of them have oc-
casiOn to report any misconduct on
their part.
They Live Here.
Questions by Commissioner Watkins
developed the fact that every one of
these guards We're men living in this
community.
Mr.. Mitchell insisted that the regular
ly constituted authorities We're amply
capable of protecting the property of
all classes of people in the state.
Mr.. MITCHELL said Mr. MacVeagh,
with earpestness, do you not know.
as we'll as you know your name is John
Mitchell, that in spite of the constitute
ed authorities of this state. of this
country. Of this city, this whole region
has been treated for five months to
veritable foretaste of hell?'
II don't know anything Of the kind"
replied the witness.
We'll, you will know it before we are
through with you,' declared Mr. Mac
Veagh.
the eight -hour-day question again.
9. I want for q moment to ask YOU
whether you still adhere to the propo-
sition that no one of our employees in
the mines or about them shall be en-
titled or allowed to work beyond eight
hours, no matter what the purpose OF
that working may be. If it is not
charitable purpose or a purpose of em-
ergency or something OF that kind? a.
J do not ask that the hours OF labor
of your employees be limited at all en-
cept SO far as they are limited by the
decision of the commission, or by the
agreement that you might make. linn
itinS the hours of labor yourselves.
G. But You do insist that that !ini-
tation shall be uniform? a. We faNur
a uniform eight hour day.
An Eight Hour Day.
Q. Don't you go a little further than
that? I do not mean that YOU do 80
now. but have you not gone to this eN-
tent: Not more than eight houl S.
YOU must excuse me for being insist
-ent about this. because the commission
is being asked to put what we believe
to be this yoke about or necks and
we must examine into the character OF
III Detofe tleS can lNtelllSenlly impose
it. We have agreed to abide by it If
they do, and we will loyalty abide by
it: but before they put you upon our
back we must know what weight you
bring with you: and here is one weight
which seems to me so brutal, so I'M
American, so indefensible that l ask
you again whether YOU stand by it:
mot more than eight hours shall be
worked in any one day by any mine
worker" A, We s!avor a maximum
eght-hour day.
Q. Do you mean to say that father
working in that mine who believes he
has a son that may be president of the
United States--and your father had
son that may be-is not at liberty to
work as long as he chooses in order to
help that son to the position you oc-