The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-06
ON THE BLACK LIST
Witnesses Tell of the Meth
ods of the Coal Com
panies.
(By the Associated Press.)

Scranton, Pa, Dec. 5.-The lawyers for
the mine workers continued to call wit
nesses today before the Strike Commits
sion to testify to the alleged blacklist
ing methods pursued by several coal
companies in refusing to re- employ strik-
ers who took a more or less prominent
part in the affairs of the Mine Workers
Union during the recent suspension. All
of them said they had been employed be-
fore the strike, but were refused their
old places after the strike was ended.
In most cases, according to the testimony,
no satisfactory reason was given why
they were not taken back. Two blind
men who were also otherwise badly in
jured by underground explosions, were
presented as living evidence of the dan
gers in the mines. When thue commits
sion adjourned for the day, Rev. J. J..
Curran, the Roman Catholic clergyman,
of Wilkesbarre who took a prominent
part in the miners cause during the re-
cent strike was on the witness stand.
Only one session will be held tomorrow,
adjournment to be taken at 1 p. m.
Nothing could be learned here today
with reference to the reported efforts
at settlement outside the commission.
None of the attorneys for either side
professed to know anything about any
contemplated move in that direction.
Wayne MacVeagh, who is representing
the rie Railroad coal properties, was the
only attorney in position to know who
would talk about the matter. He left
here accompanied by Commissioner Par
ker at 335 o'clock this afternoon over
the Lackawanna road for New York, as
the testimony now being presented to the
commission does not concern Mr. Mac
Veaghs clients to an extent which makes
his presence necessary.
Mr.. MacVeagh, before leaving, stated
20 the correspondent of the Associated
Press that majority OF the operators
thought it better to adjourn all efforts
to reach by amicable conferences a basis
for the award of the commission until
both sides have presented all the testi-
mony they wished to offer. Whether the
efforts to reach such basis will be
then resumed can only be decided after
the testimony is closed.
Mr.. MacVcagh added that he personally
thought. in view of the extraordinary con-
ditions existing in the anthracite regions,
that this was a mistaken attitude for
the operators TO assume as he leGF6u edCU
days testimony would tend to increase
the bitterness of feeling, but it was not
only the right but the duty of the oper-
ators to act on their own judgmen of the
situation and he sincerely hoped the re-
soult would fully justify the conclusion
they reached.
From this expression, it is taken that
Mr.. MacVeagh was opposed to the calling
off of the negotiations last week 1t is
his sincere hope that an agreement will
be effected and it is known that the COM
missioners still hope for an agreement
On many, if not all the important points
at issue.
The departure of Mr.. MacVeagh and
Mr. Parker for New York rise to rumor
that the distinguished attorney was going
there to consult with the operators on
the settlemen scheme, but when he was
seen just before he left the, city, he
said he did not know whom he would
see there. He denied all knowledge of any
efforts being made by the large coal COM
panies to absorb the Independent con-
Germs Individual operators who were ap-
proached on the subject also said they
knew nothing of such move.
"You look happy" ventured the
tourist.
Couldn't be more So stranger" re-
piled the lanky native.