Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-11-19
President Mitchell the First Witness
for the Miners-Sharp cross.Ex-
animation by Legal Lights.
COMMISSION SITS IN SCRANTON
Thirty Lawyers Present-court Room
Overlooking With spectators-Re-
cognition of the Union.

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 14.-The antnra-
cite coal strike commission, appoint
ed by President Roosevelt to arbi-
trate the differences existing between
the mine workers of the hard coal
fields of Pennsylvania and their en-
ployers, today began the hearing Of
testimony by which it will determine
whether or not the workmen are re-
ceiving fair and just wages for their
labor and whether their conditions
need to be improved.
The star witness for the miners,
President Mitchell, took the stand in
the forenoon, made a long statement,
and when the commission adjourned
at 4 clock he was still under the FIRE
or cross-examination by David w.
Wncox, general counsel for the Del
aware & Hudson company. ID was
a trying day for the miners acader,
but he seemed to stand the test well.
The heaviest fire of cross questions
was aimed ut him late in the after
noon session, and when the hour OF
adjournment was reached Mn. Wilcox
was still prepounding questions and
testing MI. Mitchell's memory.
The opening of the sessions was
notable day in the annals of the law
in the upper anthracite region. Such
an array of lawyers has never been
seen in this part of the state.
Mr.. Wilcox's object was to attempt
to prove by Mr.. Mitchell's own testi-
mony that the contention of the COM
panies that the miners union was an
irresponsible organization and that
trade agreements, therefore, could not
be safely entered into, was well found
ed.
During the hearing the statement
was brought out, for the first time
since the late strike was inaugurated.
that the union had disbursed $500, 900
among union and non-union men who
were on the strike.
One of the questions which came up
before the commission was the advis-
ability of holding counsel on behalf
of the non-union men who remained
at work during the strike. Attorney
John Lenahan, one of the attorneys
for the non-union men, asked the
commission what his status before
the arbitrators was. Judge Gray said
the question would be taken under
consideration and that an answer
would probably be given him tomor-
row.
Mr.. Mitchell, before taking the wit
ness stand in the forenoon, presented
the miners side of the case in o.
OOO-word statement. 1t took him 40
minutes to read his audress, and he
was listened to by the commissioners
ana the operators with the closest
attention 1t is not unlikely that Mr..
Mitchell will be on the stand all day
tomorrow and probably longer. 1t Is
the intention of the miners to next
call on Rev. Peter Roberts OF Maha-
noy City, who has much intimate
knowledge of anthracite mining and
is the author of book on the sub
ject.
The commissioners sessions are be-
ing held in the beautiful room of the
Pennsylvania superior court, which is
now sitting in Philadelphia. Ranged
around three tables in front OF the
seven commissioners, who occupied
the judges bench, were no less than
thirty lawyers. twenty-four of whom
were looking after the interests Of
the miners. In addition to these there
was a large number of members OF
the bar present who came merely to
look on. The court room at both ses-
sions was packed almost to suffoca-
ton, and scores of persons were un,
able to gain admittance. Only one
of the heads of the large coal compan-
les, Chairman Thomas of the Erie,
was present. There were among the
spectators present quite a large num-
ber of general superintendents. all OF
whom took deep interest in the pro-
ceedings, some of them frequently
making notes.
Grouped about Mr.. Mitchell were
district presidents Nichols, Duffy and
Fahy. the three district secretaries
the three national board members
and members of the three district
legislative boards of the anthracite
field. Scattered through the specta
tors were many practical miners, who
will be called upon to take the stand
in behalf of the miners claims.
The attitude of the commissioners
was closely followed by everyone In
the court room. They appeared to be
greatly interested in the cross-eXami
nation of Mr.. Mitchell. but at times
seemed to grow restless under the
ceaseless fire of questions aimed al
him. Judge Gray AS chairman of the
commission, being versed in the pres
ent proceedings and In the law, was
the only spokesman for the commits
sion. He at times asked questions
and at the very close OF the afternoon
directed query at Mr.. Mitchell which
Mr.. Wilcox had been nearing up to
for some time. He asked Mr.. Mitch
ell whether the organization approved
the act of withdrawing from or deny
ing the necessities of life to those
who had offended the organization
and he replied:
Il should say emphatically. no."
During the day Mr.. Wilcox asked
Mr.. Mitchell many questions as tC
policies of the union, the method o.
a