Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-14
Commission At WORK
Presidents Coal Strike Arbi-
traitors in Session.
BIG CROWD ATTENDS
MITCHELL OPENS FOR UNITED
MINE WORKERS.
Array of Distinguished Legal Talent
on Both Sides A Further
Statement Monday.

SCRANTON Pa November lathe
commission appointed by President Roose-
Welt to arbtrate the differences existing be-
tween the anthracite mine workers and
their employers today began the hearing OF
the miners side of the case.
When the commission opened It's session
the only evidence before it the prelim-
mary statement of Mr.. Mitchell and the re-
plies thereto of the operators. After the
workmen have concluded their case the op-
orators will make their defense. 1t is ex-
pected that more than two weeks will be
taken up in hearing both sides.
In Superior Court Chamber.
The hearings are being held in the cham
Der of the state superior court, which is on
the second floor of the LackaWanna county
court house.
The seven commissioners have seats on
the bench. In front of them are three long
tables one for President Mitchell and his
at torneys, one for the lawyers of the coal
companies and the third for the attorneys
of the independent operators.
To the left of the commissioners are two
long rows of seats for the newspaper corre-
spondents. The arrangements for the hear
fngs are admirable, and it is likely that
the commission will hear all the evidence
in this city.
Big crowd Attended.
AS early as o'clock the corridors outside
the court room were crowded with people
of all classes and conditions eager to gain
admittance.
Only few of them, however, got through
the door, almost every seat was occu-
pied by general superintendents, superin-
tendents of mining companies and other Of
ficials and representatives of the mine
workers
Among the attorneys sitting around the
operators table We're Francis l. Gowan of
Philadelphia, general counsel for the Le
high Valley Coal Company; A. H. Mac
Clintock of Wilkesbarre. for the Lehigh and
Wilkesbarre company: former Representa-
tive Simon p. Wolverton, Surbury, Pa, for
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iron Company: Wayne MacVeagh, for the
Pennsylvania Coal Company and and Hill
side Coal Company; David Wilcox, New
York. general counsel of the Delaware and
Hudson. and w. w. Ross of New York,
for the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern.
Mitchell at Head of Table.
President Mitchell sat at the head of the
table provided for the representatives of the
miners. His principal advisers were Clar-
ence S. Darrow of Chicago, James L. Lena
han of Wilkesbarre and John ]. Murphy of
Scranton
Shortly after 10 o'clock the members of
the commission filed in. Mr.. Moseley, one
of the recorders, announced the commits
sloners' approach. and as he did SO every
one in the court room stood up. Judge
Gray brought his gavel down and the pro-
ceedings were opened.
Judge Gray announced that a sufficient
time had been given for the parties to the
controversy to prepare for the hearing. and
that the commission would hear the repre-
sentatives of the miners first.
A Further Statement Monday.
Mr. Mitchell said that he would file a fur
ther statement on Monday in answer to
some Of the allegations of the operators.
John T. Lenahan of Wikesbarre, on be-
half of the non-uni0n men, inquired of the
commission what course the proceedings
would take with respect to them. Judge
Gray answered that that was a question
which would have to be considered.
Mr.. Wolverton asked the other side to
give the operators a least one days notice
in which Collieries the witnesses 1t will
call are employed, so that the mine owners
can be prepared TO examine them. Mr..
Darrow, for the miners, agreed to the sug-
gestion.
Mr.. Darrow then called for the regular
procedure, and Mr. WoIverton asked that
the miners present their case. The request
was Immediately carried out, and President
Mitchell arose and addressed the commits
sion.
CMr Mitchelrs statement will be found on
another page,)
Received Close Attention.
During the reading of his address Mr.
Mitchell was followed with the closest at
tention. This was particularly so with the
score of more representatives of the oper-
ators, who bent forward TO catch every
word. and who made numerous notes of the
principal features of his remarks The
reading of the address occupied forty min
uteS.
Responding to Question by Judge Gray,
Mr.. Darrow said the miners would at the
outset put some witnesses and that he
would call Mr.. Mitchell first Judge Gray
Interrupted to say that there was gen
eral feeling that testimony so important as
this should have the sanction of an oath;
it should be administered to the witnesses.
Mitchell Takes the Stand.
This was acceptable TO both sides and the
clerk of the court sessions Of Lackawanna
county performed this duty. Mr. Mitchell
then took the stand.
He said that he began doing mining work
as a doorboy when he was twelve years of
age and he had occupied all positions in the
bituminous fields except that of foreman.
lie had not worked in the anthracite region
He then explained his connection with the
knights of Labor and gave figures showing
the membership of the United Mine Work
ers.
Mr.. .Wolverton. for the operators. inter
of questioning as irrelevant and would re-
serve the right to object.
Strength of the Union.
Continuing. Mr. Mitchell said that 81 per
cent of all coal mined in the United States
was mined In Pennsylvania, and that 90 per
cent of the anthracite workers are members
of the union
Has the president or executive board
ever ordered a strike since they have been
at the head Of this organization. or since it
has been in existence?' asked Mr.. Darrow.
No. was the reply, except upon the
afhrS1atiye vote of the miners themselves.
The officers carry out the Instructions OF
the miners"
responding to further questions, 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 strikes
Strikes Where There Were No Con-
tracts.
Where no contracts were made he said,
there had been strikes Of considerable mag