Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-19
WANTS No ANARCHY
Mitchell Tells Counsel Strike Breakers
Are Anarchists
THEY DO NOT REGARD OTHERS At ALL
They Act So as to Ipiure Fellows and
Must Be 0urbed.
MACVEAGH CLOSES CRoSS-ExAMlNATloN
Other Lawyers Take Up Task of HeCkling
Union Leader.
hAcVEAGH CLOSES CRoss-ExAMlNATloN
OPERATORS COULD STOP MINING OF COAL
Witness Thinks strikes and LOckouts
should BE Avoided by Institution
of some other Means of
Settling Disputes.

SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. 1s--John Mitchell
for the fourth successive day, occupied the
witness box during the two sessions Of the
strike commission and was cross-examined
by three attorneys for as many coal com
panies.
The arbitrators are growing restless in
consequence Of the long cross examination.
which apparently does not bring out the
facts. Several times during the day the
chairman reminded the attorneys OF the
value of time and suggested that cross-ex-
animation be limited to new features. The
lawyers agreed that they we're also anxious
to expedite matters and promised to do
everything possible to hurry matters with
out injuring their case.
Mr.. MacVeagh who began his cross-ex-
animation on Saturday concluded at today.
He centered his energies in trying to break
down the miners reasons for asking a
yearly agreement, which would amount to
recognition of the union. His principal
aim throughout was to show that the
miners union because of alleged acts Of in
timidation, violence and the use Of the
boycott, proved itself unfit to be a party
to contract.
Mr.. Mitchell would not, however, admit
or even assume, that a reign OF terror had
existed in the anthracite fields during the
last six months.
The recognition OF the union is looked
upon as the most important question be-
fore the commission and 1t is quite evident
from the trend OF the proceedings thus far
that the companies will oppose It to their
utmost
Before proceeding to the examination
John T. Lenahan OF wilkesbarre, handed
list of 1000 nonunion men as his au-
howl tNWr TO- -.
tors. He did not wish the commission to
make them public at this time, but as
he said everything filed with the commits
sion was public matter, the names were
unofficially handed in and will be given
out for publication.
Acts of Violence.
Mr.. Macveagh in resuming his cross
examination said he would be glad to get
an expression as to the influence OF acts
of violence upon the temper and DISPOSE
| tion of the union men said to have COM
mitted them.
The witness said that he would not as
sumo that the acts of violence were true.
'If" said he, Forest City, which has
been referred TO, is an example of
all towns and cities in the anthracite field,
ii would indicate that we were a very law
| abiding, religious people,"
THE question" Mr.. MaeVeagh said, "is
whether or not you have taken the proper
methods to prevent a repetition Of violent
acts when they have occurred"
He did not care, he said, by whom these
were committed. what am trying to
show" he continued, sis that there is a
growing spirit OF violence and disregard
in the organization. and that your man
agement is insufficient to keep them peace
| able and law abiding"
The question met with a ready response.
"The fear that my influence" said witness,
'is not sufficient to deter men from the COM
mission of crime is a contradiction Of the
claims often made about me-"
| He was free to stay that some men may
have been deferred from going to work. be-
cause Of violence but the cause OF the
strike lost more by reason Of that than 1t
could possibly gain.
Mr.. MacVeagh read a statement regarding
the right to strike as belonging to the per-
sonal freedom OF workingmen. He also
| took the view that in exercising that free
dom those who cease to work must not in
terfere with the liberty of Others who wish
| to work.
DO Not Want Anarchy.
eve do not want anarchy" said Mr.
Mitchell, "and that is anarchy pure and
simple-the right OF every man to do abso-
lutely as he pleases regardless OF its ef-
! fects on society"
This is the language OF a very carefully
disguised anarchy" Mr.. MacVeagh re-
marked. because it is the language Of
Archbishop Ireland"
Archbishop Ireland never expected II to
be used in that sense. might say Arch
bishop Ireland is a member OF a committee
/ Oh I ,la
! declared for the trade union idea"
The attorney and the witness wandered
| from the rules Of cross examination and
INDUCED in an argument over the propriety
Of any one criticising acts and decisions
| OF courts.
Mr.. MacVeagh thought It was wrong 70
follow such a course and that Il tended 10
breed anarchy Mr.. Mitchell said he was
| pleased to say the courts as a rule were
fair but he regretted that in the course Of
his experience he had found some iudaa-
against labor
He referred to Judge Jackson OF West
| Virginia, who, he said, had made a great
many serious reflections on men who gave
up their lives to the cause of labor. He
added that there were no anarchists in the
trade unioSs.
Francis r. Gowen. representing the
| Lehigh valley Coal company, followed Mr..
MaeVeagh and questioned Mr.. Mitchell re-
garding his comparison of wages paid in
the bituminous fields as against those paid
in the anthracite. The question of weigh
ing coal was also taken up.
Commission Takes n Hand.
For the first time during the session the
members OF the commission then entered
into a general crosse examination on points
which the previous testimony had not
brought out.
Replying to Bishop spalding. Mr.. Mitchell
said that operators could form a coalition
and stop the mining Of coal throughout the
United States.
They could do the same as we could"
said he, "and especially now when the coal
fields OF the country are passing into the
hands OF a few men"
Commissioner Watkins thought the law
would prevent the operators doing that, by