Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-19
.MR. MITCHELL AGAIN.
H1s FOURTH CONSECUTIVE DAY.
ON THE WITNESS
STAND.
ARBITRATORs ARE. RESTLESS.
Long Cro.s-Eznmination Not Bring
1nE Out Facts.
MIR. ,1AovEAeH CONCLUDES.
He Centres Most Of HI. EnerEies on
Trying to Break Down the Miners
Rensons for Asking Yearly
Agreement with the Operators
Recognition of Union to BE oppos-
ed to the Utmost.
Long Cross-Exnmination Not Bring
Ing Out Facts.
NACvEAGH CONCLUDES
He Centres Most OF His Energics on

SCRANTON, PA, November 18.-Mr
Mitchell. for the fourth successive day,
occupied the witness-stand during the two
sessions of the strike commission, and
was cross-examined by three attorneys
for as many coal companies. While d
considerable amount OF information for
the enlightenment of the commissioners
was brought out, the day was rather
quiet one, compared with those which
have preceded it.
The arbitrators are growing restless
touching the long cross-examination.
which. apparently does not bring out the
facts as fully as the commission would
like to have them presented.
Several times during the course. OF
the days session, Chairman Gray remind
ed the attorneys of the value OF time
and suggested that further cross-exam'
ination be- limited to new features OF
the question, that have not already been
gone over. The lawyers assured the com
mission that they, too, were anxious tc
expedite matters, and would do every
thing possible to hurry matters along
without injurinG their own case.
Mr.. Mitchell has been on the stand
since last Friday morning. and Is snow
ing signs of WEAKNESS from the strain Of
four days of cross-cxamination Ihus
far his attorney, c.: S. DarroW, ano
David Williams, for the Delaware and
Hudson; Wayne MacYeagh. for the Erie
Francis I. Gowan, for the Lehigh Valley
and w. w. Ross, for the Delaware, Lack.
awana and Western Company. have ex'
amined the miners president The com
missioners to-day, for the first time, en-
tered into the discussion with the lawyers
and the witnesses over disputed points
which rose from time to time.
Mncveagh Concludes.
Mr. MacVeagh, who began his cross
examination of Mr.. Mitchell on Saturday
concluded AT II o'clock to-day. The dis
t,nE,1ished attorney centered most OF MS
energies on trying to break down ths
miners, reasors for asking for a year,.
agreement with the companies, on hour
Of labor, wages, and other conditions
which. if made, would be recognition
Of the union Mr.. MacVeagh's princlpa
aim throughout his questioning OF MI
Mitchell was to show that the mine WORK
ers' union, by alleged acts of intlnlda'
1ion. and the use of the boycott by lts
members, had proved itself unfit to bf
a party to contract. Mr. Mltchell "ou'l
not admit, nor even assume for the sake
Of illustrat tion points, that reign OF ter
ror existed in the anthracite fields during
the last six months. Recognition OF tht
union Is looked upon re the most import
ant question before the commission, am
It Ia quite evident from the trend of the
proceedings thus far, that the companie:
Will oppose it to their utmost ability.
Mr.. Gowan and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding condt
tions obtaining at the collieries of the
companies they represented.
The questions were more or less technl
cal
Mr. Mitchelrs answers, as a rule. difre>
ed very little from the reasons given II
his preliminary statement to the commits
sion.
Interest Not Waning.
Interest in the. proceedings is not wan,
ing. The large crowds which have beer
wedged in the courtroom In the proceed
ing days of the hearing. were in evidence
Nor is there falling o. In the atteno'
ance of lawyers. There are almost two
score present at each session.
Non-Unfon Petitioners.
Before proceeding to the examinatlo
CONTINUED ON PAGE F1VE.>