Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-12-26
COAL OPERATORS BEGIN.
Testimony for Their Side of Con.
troversy Opened UP Before
Anthracite Commission.
h0NUNI0h LAB0RERS ON THE STAND.
Lawyers Try TO Prove That Reign Of
Terror Exalted In the Coal Fields
During Anthracite Coal strike
stories OF Alleged Boycotts and In
limitation.

stories OF Alleged BoycOffs Il A =
timidatiou.
Scranton, Pa, Dec. IS. - The an
thracite coal operators opened their
side Of the controversy with the
mine workers Wednesday before the
strike commission, and the attorneys
who are on record before the com
mission as representing the non
union men, who have been admitted
10 the arbitration scheme, began call
ing witnesses. The sessions were
probably the liveliest yet held by the
commission. At the morning session
the miners lawyers challenged the
fairness of certain wage statements
handed to the commission by the
Penns ylvania Coal company, and in
the afternoon Lawyer barrow had
n spirited discussion with Chairman
Gray as to whether or not the miners
had right TO know who is paying
the lawyers representing the nom
union men before the commission.
Mr.. barrow asserted they were en-
ployed by the coal operators. Pre-
eeding this Simon p. Wolyerton.
counsel for the Reading company,
who delivered the opening address on
behalf Of all the large coal compa-
mics, made the point in his address
that the recognition of the union Is
not an issue before the commission
which brought out a protest FROM
Mr. barrow. The latter claimed that
should be forbidden from presenting
testimony that tended to show the
union was responsible for all The al.
legged violence committed during the
strike
say Reign OF Terror Existed.
Scranton, Pa. Dec. 1o.-The coal
strike commission listened Thursday
10 further testimony tending to show
that reign of terror existed in the
anthracite coal fields during the 81
months of the mine workers strike.
About score of witnesses were
called during the two sessions by the
attorneys for the nonunion men.
They told Of serious boycotts, bru-
tai attacks by crowds of men, won-
en- and boys, and am attempt TO burn
the house of nonuuion man. In
most instances the witnesses testi-
fled that the alleged offenders were
members of the miners union The
lawyers for the miners objected fire.
Quently TO the admiss ion of testi-
mony or hearsay and sometimes OBJ (
jected because of irrclcyancy of GER
tain other statements
Chairman Gray said the commission p
was not bound by any strict rules
of evidence, but asked counsel to con-
fine themselves in examining W.T.
nesses as for as possible to direct
evidence. He said it was too difficult,
in trying 10 prove that boycotts ex-
list, to get information on the subject
The commission, he said, wanted 20
know whether a reign Of terror ex-
lsted in the anthracite region, and it
could not get that information if the
strict rules Of evidence were applied.
The coward who VIII 90 to the
storekeepers," he said, "and tell them
not to sell the necessaries of life 10
a poor woman, usually seeks the OBJ
security that the law of evidence
throws around him. If girl is dis
charged from her position in a store.
because she rode in street car in
nclement weather, while street car
strike was on, the coward who dis
charged her is coward enough to re-
use TO testify" He recognized, ne
said, why some merchants will not
'ome forward and tell who forced
Tim to refuse to sell necessaries OF
ife to certain boycotted persons, but
+ he Chairman Cray were a store
'eeper, he thought he would risk his
Ill in order TO assist in breaking up
he cowardly business.
Life Made MiserabIe.
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 20.-Nonunion
men, some of their relatives and 9TH
RS to the number of 30, appeared be-
'ore the coal strike commission and
old their stories of alleged boycotts,
ntimidations, dynamiting and vio-
ence in various forms, during the late
strike. Each witness called was a
ufferer in one form or another at the
lands, they alleged. of union men.
'our witnesses said attempts were
made to blow m their houses one