The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-24
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION.
Non-Union Men Tell Stories Of
Intimidation and Violence.

Intimidation and Violence.
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 19.-Non-unio
men, some of their relatives and 9TH
ers to the number of 80, appeared
| before the anthracite coal commission
today and told their stories of alleged
boycotts, intimidations, dynamiting
and violence in various forms, during
| the late strike. Each witness called
was a sufferer in one form or another
at the hands; they alleged, of the
union men. Four witnesses said at.
! tempts were made to blow up their
houses, many of the witnesses were
threatened with bodily harm; several
were beaten one was shot in the leg,
and every one stoned, boycotted or
hanged in efagy.
One school teacher testified having
lost his position because his father
did not strike One man was asked
to resign from Catholic temperance
society and another witness was ex-
pelled from local lodge OF the
Ancient Order OF Hibernians because
they were classed as unfair Workmen.
Joseph 81. Dugan, the man who was
requested to give up his membership
In che temperance society, remained
at work doing repair work and acting
as watchman. he Wept on the wit
ness stand as he told how they ordered
him to leave after many years OF pleas
ant associations with its members.
He said he had been stoned and other
wise badly treated, and added that a
good clubbing would not have hurt
half as much as the action Of the soci-
ETY. in throwing him out Of the organ
ization.
Chairman Gray asked the witness if
he remained at work so that the pumps
could be kept in good repair and thus
keep the mine from being destroyed
and he said he did. Mr.. Darrow ask
ed him how long he worked and ex-
amined him In such a way on the sub
iect that brought the statement from
Chairman Gray that men will work 10
hours or more TO help save a neigh
bor's burning house.
James Mitchell was the man who was
expelled from the Hibernian society.
BE said he worked during the strike
as repairman and did not consider
It unfair because he did not mine any
coal. He had been a member Of the
society 26 OF % years, and at meet
ing one night during the strike the
question Of his cnfainess came up
and every member present voted to
expel him.
Al Polander name Max Lasar who
did not quit when the strike was inau-
gUrated, told OF how man threw
quart hottie OF giant powder to which
a lighted fnse was attached into the
parlor Of his home. He eytlnguished
the fuse. The powder was shown to
the commission.
Thomas Kennedy, aged 10 years,
said he worked in drug store in Car
bondale. His father was an engineer
IN the employ OF the Delaware and
Hudson company and did not quit
work when the strike was started.
The manager of the strike drug store,
he said was requested by committee
from the union to discharge him, and
rather than have the store boycotted,
she druggist told the boy to quit. The
father corroborated the story, and
added that he had to keep his chill
dren from the public schools as they
were being abused.
An Italian named Frank Fidati,
who was striker but who was hired
by coal operator to watch the home
of a non-union man, was shot in the
leg by other strikers because he would
not stop protecting the mans house.
The non-union men who lived in the
house and subsequently, quit work, was
next called and produced a letter writ
ten by President z. D. Nichols Of
district No. in which he stated that
the witness had quit work and was
good union man and that all union
men should treat him n a friendly
manner SO long as he behaved himself
accordingly
John Conlin, mine boss and presi-
dent Of the school board Of Plains,
near Wilkesbarre, testified that a
committee Of local union called on
him and asked that school teachers
whose relatives were working in the
mines be not reappointed as teachers.
Other witnesses testified to having
been hanged in efhgy one or more
times, that grocers, butchers, milk
men and icemen refused to serve them
because they were afraid their busi-
ness would be boycotted and that they
were severely beaten and socially os-
tracized.
The commission will meet at 9
O'Clock tomorrow morning and will
adjourn at 1i.45 O'Clock for the holi-
I-days.