The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1902-11-22
MORE SHARP SPARR|NG.
Wayne MacVeagh and John Mitch
ell Have Another Tilt
at Scranton.
The LATTER MANAGED TO HOLD HIS OWN
II IL Becoming Evident that the
the Disposition to UnduIy Length
en- the Inquiry by Excessive
CrOss-ExR minatiOn.

daN when Che arbitration commission
began its fourth days sitting. Mr.
Mitchell who has been on the stand
since last Friday, took his place in
the witness box, and his cross-ex'
animation by Wayne MacNeagh, for
the Erie company was resumed, 1t
was the general opinion Of attorneys
that some arrangement will have 10
be made to shorten the inquiry At
the rate progress is now being made
It will take many weeks TO hear both
sides to the controversy. If counsel
takes no action it is likely the COM
mis- zion will suggest that something
be done. The commissioners recog-
nizc that President Mitchell is the
most important witness the miners
have, and they are loath to have mat
ters hurried while he is on the stand,
He being the president Of the union,
his opinions are looked upon as Off
cial, and also as rejecting the policy
OF the organization.
Mr.. MacNeagh in resuming his
cross-cXamination, 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 "If," said he, Forest City,
which had been referred to, would he
an example OF all towns and cities in
the anthracite field, it would indicate
that we were a very law abiding re-
hgious people"
The question" Mr.. MOyVeagh said,
ais whether or not you have taken the
proper method to prevent u repeti-
tion of violent acts when they have
occurred
He did not care, he said by whom
these were committed.
what am trying TO show, he con
tinued "is that there is growing
spirit of violence and disregard Of the
law in your organization, and that
your influence over them Is INSULT
cicnt to keep them law abiding and
peaceful, ms you intend to have them
Under this arraignment OF the union
Mr.. Mitchell retained his complete
composure. The question met with
ready response.
"The fear that my influence" said
H., "is not sufficient to deter men from
10. - - ,t,-a
diction OF the claims often made
about me"
He was free to say that some men
may have been deferred from going 10
work, because OF violence, but the
strike itself lost more IN public opin-
ion by reason OF that than II could
possibly gain.
The cross.cXaminer and the witness
chen plunged into Il spirited colloquy
over the question Of whether one
man has the right TO prevent another
p.nn from selling his labor,
The best answer Mr., MacNeogh
could draw from the miners chief
was that he did not approve % any
nc committing an unlawful act.
Mr., MacVengh read statement re-
Fl riding the right TO strike as belong.
ing to the personal freedom OF work
iDgmen. lie also took the view that
IN exercising that freedom, those who
cease TO work must not interfere with
the liberty of others who wish to
work.
I'VE do not want anarchy" said Mr..
Mitchell, land that IL anarchy pure
and slmplc-thc right Of every man
10 do absolutely rs he plcoscs regard
lcss Of It's effects on society"
"rhis IL the language Of very care
full.disguised anarchy" Mr.. Mao.
Nengh remarked, "bccause IL Ia the
language OF Archbishop Ireland,
Archbishop Ireland never expected
II to be used In that sense ! might
BAY that Archbishop Ireland Is a mem
Der Of committee Of which ! am al
NJ n member, which hus declared for
4 trade union idea
Answering II further question, Mr.
Mitchell declared that II Archbishop
lrelnnd's statement meant That men
have no right to picket, he disagreed
with him. Mr.. Mitchell added that ne
did not know that the archbishop was
regarded M n supreme court on lrauo
union matters,
The attorney and the witness wan
dcrcd from the rules OF croSs'eSam'
nation, and INDUCED In an argument
over the propricty of anyone or''le'N
Ing nets and decision Of courts,
Mr., MncVcNgh thought 1t was wrong
"a follow such course, ANA mat "
tends to breed anarchy Mr. Mitchell
said he was pleased to say the courts,
ns u rule, are fnir but he regreliou
that In the course OF his experience
he had found some Judges against III
Dor, He referred 10 Judge Jackson,
Of West Virginia, who, he snil, hau
made great many serious rriectionS
ON men who gave up their lives TO the
cause Of labor. He added thn' there
were no anarchists In the trade ull'
Ions, Replying TO Mr., MucNeogh y
questions regarding union men De-
longing 20 the national guard MI
Mitchell snid no local IN hiA union
had ever expelled n man from 'he
union for belonging TO the guard, ana
thut no national labor union OF any
kind had ever done such u thing a
Nttlc union In New York state, ID