The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-21

putting one Of his Questions to Mr..
Mitchell regarding the martyred presi-
idents. added:
II only mention these because they
are three victims OF the stirit Of an
archy, which is the curse of this coun
try today, and the only serious curse af-
ficting it"
The miners president quick as a flash
came back with the auIry
Trade unions are o held responsible
for il. are they?" To which Mr.. Mac
Weigh quickly responded THAI they were
not and supplemented this with the re-
mari that labor unions are nest admir-
able. The bringing of the word an
archy' into the examination caused a
distinct murmur Of disapproval from
many mine workers IT the court room.
While the discussion of tie effect n
yearly agreement would have on the
o a industry in the anthracite region
was in progress, frequent references
was made 10 the workings Of agree
ments in soft coal regions. This led to
the announcement by Chat, mar Gray
that the commission had decided to in
vite Herman JUST, commissioner of the
Illinois Coal Operators Association, to
testify before the commission. This an
nouncement was favorabRy received by
each side and the attorneys for the
miners and the operators mad sugges-
tions for additional witnesses
Mr.. Wilcox, general counsel of the
Delaware and Hudson COMPANY after
a conference with other attorneys hand
ed up a suggestion thai such other
witnesses if any. as the Illinois Coal
Operators Association may deem proper
for the purpose of showing the effects
of the trade agreements with the Uni
ted Mine Workers of America. be invit-
ed to attend.
Mr.. barrow, counsel for the miners,
suggested the names:
| o. T. Garrison of st. Louis. president
of the Illinois Bitumenous Coal Associa-
ton: ]. Smith Talley, Of Terre Haute,
president of Indiana Bitumenous Coal
, Association; J. H. Winder, Columbus,
Ohio, manager OF the Hooking Coal
Company; T. w. Davis. Saginaw. Mich.
commissioner of the Michigan Coal OPP
orators Association.
1t is likely all the gentlemen whose
names nave been suggested as witnesses
will be invited to come fere.
The investigation IS dragging too
slow to suit the commissioners and it
is likely the commission will probably
tomorrow ask BOT sides to agree upon
some for e%xpediting the
been On the stand for three days and
has been examined by the attorneys of
only two companies.
The second attorney, Mr.. MacVeigh,
is not yet through with him. The law
yers for the Delaware, L1ckawanna
and Western railroad, the Philadelphia
and Reading company will next take
Mr.. Mitchell in hand. unless the pro-
| gramme is changed. 1t is expected the
attorneys for the ~non-union men will
| present their case to the commission
tomorrow. They have asked the COM
mission to take up the grievances of the
n~on-union men growing out of the strike
and as the non-unionists are not a log
ica1 party to the arbitration scheme,
their attorneys have beon requested to
give reasons why the commissioner
should take I'D their case. If it is de-
cided to here them, it will inject an
entirely new feature INFO the investi-
cation and one which was not expected
at the time President Roosevelt creates
the commission.
The n~on-union mine workers, through
their attorney, John Lenahan and
Joseph O'Brien tonight fled the state
men of their case with the anthracite
coal strike commission. The slate IL
part is as follows:
The non-union mine workers repre-
sent to the said commission the follow,
lowing statement of their demands:
First, For an increase Of 20 per cent
upon the price paid during the yea
1901 to employees performing contrac
and piece work
Second, For a like increase Of 20 pc
cent. upon the price paid during tn,
year 1901, to employees( paid by tn,
hour, day or week
Continuing the statement says tina
instead of desiring a reduction in TIL
hours of employment. Eve insist upol
a right to work as many hours as W
choose and as opportunity affords; s
as to better Jul conditions and increas
our earning capacity"
The statement then says.
Third, We demand the adoption a
each colliery of whatever methods ma,
be necessary and practicable to secur
for the miner q minimum rate Of Sixt,
cents per ton of 2.240 pounds upon al
coal sold from said colliery, the differ
entails now existing at the variou
mines to be maintained.
Fourth, We protest against the max
ing of any agreement between the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America and on
employers determining what wage
shall be paid to us. and What shall b
the conditions Of our employment, O
pretending to dea in any respect what
ever our rights or interests as min
workers
Fifth. We earnestly protest agains
any agreement being maze by our EN-
ployers with the United Mine Worker
of America for the reason that an
, agreement if made would render it i'm
l possible for US TO continue to earn on
living by our labor In and abo tn
! mine IN which we are now employed, O
to w.-ich such agreement applies an
| will subject us and our families [
l all manner of abuse. violence, outrag
: and probably murder.
l During his cross examination OF MT
5 Mitchell, Mr.. MacVeigh, asked:
. Don't you know as well as you know
: your name is John Mitchell tina il
spite OF the authorities of this city. O
his county. and OF this state. hi
whole region has been treated for fv
months TO Ia veritable fortaste Of hell?
Mr.. Mitchell calmly replied:
II don't know anything Of the kind.
We'll you will before we are through
with YOU" was Mr.. Macveigh retort-