The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-13
He Gives Further Testimony Be-
fore the Coal Strike Comm.
C0lL0QUY WITH T0RREY
There was Some Cross-Firing Between
the Miners President and Counsel
for the De.aware and
Hudson.
(By Associated Press.)

SCRANTON. PA, December 1.-The
greater part of to-aay's session of tho
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission vas
taken up in presenting cumulative tes-
tmony on matters that have already
been heard by the commission
This testimony tenos 10 show that
there had been excessive docking: that
men were Disseminated against who
went on the strike rather than to do mo
work of the strikers; that they were
paid one price on all sizes of coal; that
they did not get pay for all the coal
mined: that they should have the eight
hour day because the mines are I'M
healthy and dangerous and that they
ought to receive higher wages.
MR.. MITCHELL HEARD.
Late in the day President Mitchell,
was called to the witness stand and
presented compa alive figures which,
showed that men paid b. the day re-
ceive from 20 to 30 per cent. higher
wages in the bitumnous regions than
they do in the anthracite mines. His
figures of the anthracite fields were
gathered by his own officers and a
hurried comparison with the figures
handed to the commission by the Del
aware and Hudson Company. he said.
showed that his were generally hi her
The Delaware and Hudson stats, les
are the only ones presented by the COM
panies.
Mr. Mitchell followed t.-,s up by Civ
ing a history of --e union TO prevent
the lac strike. all OF which have been
given to the public from time TO time
during the last ten months. This was
done so that it would go on record.
Chairman Gray asked Mr.. Mitchell
what was done by the miners to adjust
grievances during the interval between
the two great strikes. and Mr.. Mitchell
said he did not know OF any company
refusing to hold conferences with their
own men. but he did know that in most
cases the attempt to adjust grievances
proved a failure. In some instances.
notably In the upper fields company
officials have refused to see district off,
GERS of the union
At this point. James Torrey. counsel for
the Delaware and Hudson Company. and
Mr. Mitchell entered into 4 colloquy as
to the Interpretation Of the letters sent
BIZ coal road presidents in reply to the
request OF the unions Invitation that
the operators meet the miners IN con-
ference for the purpose OF forming
age scale.
Mr.. Torrey read extracts from the let
tiers. and Mr. Mitchell said his interpre-
tation was that they meant the COM
panies would treat with their men indt-
vidually
MISSED THE SPIRIT
Then you have missed their spirit"''
said Mr. Torrey.
well. 7 know as much about them as
you do" retorted Mr.. Mitchell with some
spirit.
Mr. Mitchell further stated that the
operators had refused the proposition for
collective barga: ming or collective agree
ments but that Chairman Thomas OF the
Erie Company, early in 1901. agreed 10
treat with his employees through Il COM
mttee or representative
THE men have the same right he
concluded. ito employ Il representative
to speak for them as the company has
to engage you or any other lawyer to
speak for them"
That's all very pretty and bright" re-
torted Mr., Torrey. but it does not tic
the case
General Wilson. before Mr.. Mitchell left
the stand asked him what was the ini-
tial cause OF the strike and he replied
that it originated with the men because
they thought they had grievances. and
conventions were called by the district
officers at their request