Evening journal., 1902-11-15
TCHELL IN
lawyers HANDS
ler of Striking Miners
,jectedlto Serious Cross
examination by Them
STANDS THE ORDEAL WELL
ney's Object Was to Prove BY
ior Leaders Testimony That
Iers' Union Was An lrresponsI-
Orqanization.

4or Leaders Testimony mar
lers' Union Was An irresponsl-
Organization.
anton, Pa, Nov. 15.-The anthra-
. .,oal strike commission appointed |
sesident Roosevelt to arbitrate the |
sences existing between the mine |
srs of the hard coal fields Of Penn
MIA and their employers yesterday
the hearing of testimony by
l it will determine whether or not
workmen are receiving fair and
wages for their labor, and whether
conditions should not be i'm
4 Ia. The star witness for the min
John Mitchell-took the stand in
orenoon, and when the commission
rned at 4 o'clock in the afternoon
Jas still under the fire of cross-ex-
alton by David w. Wilcox, general
sci Of the Delaware and Hudson
oany. II was a trying day for the
rs leader, but he SEEMED to stand
test we'll. The heaviest fire of
questions was aimed at him late
rday afternoon, and when the hour
|ljournment was reached Mr.. Will
vas still propounding questions and
+. ag Mr.. Mitchell's memory.
nged around three tables in front
le seven commissioners, who oc-
ID the judges bench, were no less
80 lawyers, "a of whom were look
after the interests Of the mine
PTS.
sides President Mitchell, of the
hrs Union, the mine workers were
esented by Clarence S. Darrow, Of
.ago, as chief counsel; Henry d.
Id, Chicago; John f. Shea and
ss H. Shea, both Of Wilkesbarre;
ss r. Lenahan, Of Wilkesbarre,
John J. Murphy, Of Scranton.
he attitude Of the commissioners
closely followed by every one in
court room. They appeared to be
/ tly interested in the cross-exami-
IN of Mr.. Mitchell, but at times
bed to grow restless under the
eless fire of questions aimed at the
'e Workers leader. Judge Gray, as
rman of the commission, being
ed in court proceedings and in the
was the only spokesman for the
mission. He at times asked oues-
s, and at the very close of the af-
oon session directed a query at
Mitchell which Mr.. Wilcox had
i leading up to for some time. The
rman asked Mr.. Mitchell whether
Organization approved the act OF
'idrawing from or denying the ne
aries of life to those who had Of
he'd the organization, and he re-
a: Il should say emphatically no.
: r. Wilcox asked Mr.. Mitchell many
stions as to the policies Of the IN
the method Of calling strikes, the
j lity of the union to maintain disci-
and prevent the members of the
)n from violating the law, and also
o the liability of the union breaking
tracts. II was apparent to many
hose present who understood the
alton that Mr.. Wilcox's object was
lttempt to prove by Mr.. Mitchell''
testimony that the contention oi
companies that the Miners Unior
an irresponsible organization, anC
trade agreements therefore coulC
be safely entered into, was vel
nded.
uring the hearing the statement wal
ught out for the first time since thu
strike was inaugurated that tn,
on had disbursed S1.5O0,0OO amonl
union and non-union men VIII,
e on strike.
poaking very slowly, and with al
lent desire to impress the question
In the commission, Mr.. Wilco,
ed:
+ Mr. Mitchell, during the last strik
Re was considerable violence in tn
fhracite region, was there not?"
'There was some violence, but L
s bit extent 1 am not fully informed" "
bias anything been done to disci
be those people?"
b understand that where the miner
-e guilty Of lawlessness they hav
n arrested and are under indict
,nt."
/ mean has anything been done b
Ir organization?"
I'VE have no method of furnishing
n who has committed ascrime e1
{ expulsion from the union. W
Ee no record that any man who ha
n arrested is a member of the Uni
Mine Workers Of America"
Iir. Wilcox asked If Mr.. Mitchell al
bved Of the methods of the minei
hing a strike in West Virgins
Mr.. Mitchell insisted that he kne
no lawlessness committed by Il
lon men.
We deny that the courts have an
son to restrain members Of laborir
Ions" said Mr.. Mitchell, with col
q cradle emphasis, from doing an.
n ng that is lawful. We have hi
SDple sent to prison for holding NEE
H. on ground held BY us by lease