Waterbury Democrat., 1902-11-19
FOUR DAYS ON STANb
President Mitchell Wearied
With Long Cross Fire.
ARBITRATORS GETTING RESTLESS,
The Attorneys For the Various Coal
Roads Each Take a Hand, but
Fail to Tang1e the MIN
ers' Leader.


SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. 19.-Presi-
dent Mitchell for the fourth successive
day occupied the witness stand during
the two sessions of the strike commits
sion and was cross examined by three
attorneys for as many coal companies.
While a considerable amount of infor-
nation for the enlightenment of the
commissioners was brought out, the
day was rather quiet one compared
with those which have preceded it.
The arbitrator are growing restless
in consequence Of the long cross exam
nation, which apparently does not
bring out the facts as quickly as the
commission would like to have them
presented. Several times during the
course of the days session Chairman
Gray reminded the attorneys Of the
value of time and suggested that cross
examination be limited to new features
OF those questions that have already
been gone over. The lawyers assured
the commission that they, too, were
anxious to expedite matters and would
do everything possible to hurry mat
tiers along without injuring their own
case
Mr.. Mitchell has been on the stand
since last Friday morning and is show
ing signs of WEAKNESS from the strain
OF four days cross examination. Thus
far his attorney, @. s. barrow, and
David Wilcox for the Delaware and
Hudson, Wayne MacVeagh for the
Erie, Francis /. Gowan for the Lehigb
Valley and w. w. Ross for the Della
ware, LackaWanna and Western COM
pany have examined the miners presi-
dent
Mr.. MacVeagh, who bean his cross
examination of Mr.. Mitchell on Satur-
day, concluded at IL o'clock. The dis
tingufshed attorney conferred most of
his energies in trying to break down
the miners reasons for asking for a
yearly agreement with the companies
on hours of labor, wages and other
conditions, which, if made, would be
recognition Of the union. Mr.. Mac
Neagh's principal aim throughout his
questioning Of Mr.. Mitchell was to
show that the mine workers union,
because of alleged acts of intimidation,
violence and the use Of the boycott by
its members, proved itself unfit to be a
party to a contract. Mr.. Mitchell would
not admit nor even assume for the sake
of illustrating points that a reign of
terror existed in the anthracite fields
during the last six months. The recog-
milton of the union is looked upon as
the most important question before the
commission, and it is quite evident
from the trend of the proceedings thus
far that the companies will oppose it to
their utmost ability.
Mr.. Gowan and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding con-
ditions existing at the collieries Of the
companies they represent. These ques-
tons were more or less technical. Mr..
MitchelPs answers as rule differed
very little from the reasons given in his
preliminary statement to the commits
sion for improved conditions for the
mine workers. Interest in the proceed
ings is not waning. The large crowds
which have been wedged in the court
room in the preceding days of the
hearings were in evidence. Neither is
there a falling off in the attendance Of
attorneys, of whom there are almost
two score present at each session.