The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-15
MIR. MITCHELL EXAMINED.
Many Questions Answered by the Mine
Workers President.

When Mr.. Mitchell took the stand as a
witness Judge Gray said that as there was
a general feeling that testimony so i'm
portant as this should have the sanction
Of an oath ii would be administered to the
witnesses. This was acceptable to both
sides and the clerk of the Court of Sessions
of Lackawanna county performed this duty.
In response to questions by Mr.. barrow
Mr.. Mitchell said that he began doing
mining work as a door boy when he was
twelve years old. and had occupied all po-
sitionS in the bituminous fields, except that
of foreman. He had not worked in the an
thracite region. He then explained his
connection with the Knights of Labor, and
gave figures showing the membership of
the United Mine Workers. Mr.. Wolverton,
for the operators, interrupted to say that
he regarded this line of questioning ir-
relevant and would reserve the right to
object Continuing Mr.. Mitchell said that
81 per cent. of all coal mined in the United
States was mined in Pennsylvania, and
that 80 per cent. of the anthracite mine
workers are members OF the union.
Has the president or executive board
ever ordered a strike since they have been
has been in existence?" asked Mr.. barrow.
No" was the reply, except upon the
Affirmative vote of the miners themselves
The officers carry out the instructions of
the miners"
Responding to further questioning Mr.
Mitchell explained the relations between
the union and the bituminous operators,
and said that by reason of the contracts
entered into by them there had been no
strikes. Where no contracts We're made,
he said, there had been strikes of consid-
cradle magnitude. Through the amicabe
relations with the bituminous operators
Mr.. Mitchell said wages had been increased
since 1898 an average of 80 per cent, and
that there had been reduction in hours
of from ten to eight and also in the num-
Der OF children employed. The price OF
fuel, both bituminous and anthracite, he
agaid had a rtnllx
of mining he characterized as the most
hazardous in the world. In answer to
further questions by Mr.. barrow President
Mitchell said that last year 513 men were
killed in the mines and 1900 injured. He
said that most life insurance companies
refuse TO take employees of mines. The
In proportion to the number of men en-
ployed was not so great as in the anthracite
regions
RATES OF WAGES
Mr.. Mitchell, comparing the rates of
wages paid in the btuminous fields with
those paid in the anthracite region, said
they were from 40 to so per cent, higher
in the bituminous country in some classes
of work and from 20 to 80 per cent. in
others. The wages paid the bituminous
miners, he said, were practically the same
as those paid to carpenters and bricklay-
ers, but he was not sufficiently familiar
with the rates paid for other employment
than mining in the anthracite fields TO draw
a comparison. He said he had visited
the homes of miners in this region and the
bituminous fields, and generally peaking
the conditions in the soft coal fields are
better than in the hard coal territory This
was especially true, he said, of the houses
owned by the companies. He said the agita-
ton for higher wages was begun two years
ago. This had cryStallized into a demand
to be paid by weight, which. in his opin-
ion. was the only honest method of deter
mining the amount the men earn. THE
miners know and believe" said Mr..
Mitchell, that they are not paid for the
coal they mine
He spoke of the increase in the size of
the cars and the demand of the operators
that more top should be put on which.
he said, had been source of more trouble
than any one thing he knew Of Mr..
Mitchell said that a miner must pile the
coal six inches above the top of the mine
car. The distance from the place where he
is working TO the breaker is often more
than mile and the coal is shaken down
10 the level. The worker is locked if
there not six inches of topping on the
car at the breaker and gets nothing If
there are more than six inches of topping.
Were you willing TO submit to arbitra-
tion?" Mr.. Darrow asked.
Always" said Mr.. Mitchell.
and OF course you are now" ..
We proposed arbitration.
Mr.. Darrows next question brought out
the first public statement made since the
late strike was lnauSurated, regarding the
amount of aid given the strikers Mr..
Mitchell said that $1JoG,O0O had been dis
tributed among the workers. and that nom
union men on strike had shared equally
with the unionists, although tney had paid
no dues. He said he did noL know of a
single instance where his organization has
failed TO keep its contracts.
What do you say as 10 the ability of
your organization to maintain discipline
and assist in the settlement of questions
and help in the harmony of the manage
ment of the coal Industry inquired Mr..
barrow.
Speaking very deliberately, Mr. Mitchell
answered: Il would say that our expert
ence as an organization demonstrates con-
clusively that discipline can be maintained
where trade agreements exist. AS a mat
ter of fact. in those States where we have
trade agreements IL any of our local unions
were To attempt 10 violate agreements
refuse TO go back 10 work when We in
structed them % do so. we would put them
out of the union. Our agreements take
precedence over our own law. The agree
ments must be kept inviolate."
CROSS EXAMINArION
When the direct examination OF Mr..
Mitchell by Mr.. barrow was concluded.
Mr.. Wilcox. for the operators. cross-ex-
amined MIR. Mitchell at length regarding
the general workings of the organization.
Mr.. WILCOX read from the Mine Workers
constitution and asked If there was any
provision in IL which authorized the ex-
pulsion of men who violate agreements
Mr.. Mitchell said that he would have such
authority because that had beenDthe policy
of the organization. Usually" said he,