The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-11-20
FOUR DAYS ON STAND
President Mitchell Wearied
With Long Cross Fire.
ARBlTRATORS GETTING RESTLESS.
The Attorneys For the Various Coal
Roads Each Take Hand. but
Fail to Tapgle the Min
ere Leader.

SCRANTON, Pa, Nov. 19.-Presi-
dent Mitchell for the fourth successive
day occupied the witness stand during
the two sessions of the strike commits
don and was cross examined by three
attorneys for as many coal companies.
While considerable amount of infor'
oation for the enlightenment of the
commissioners was brought out the
lay was a rather quiet one compared
with those which have preceded 1t.
The arbitrators are growing restless
IN consequence of the long cross exam
nation. which apparently does not
bring out the facts as quickly as the
commission would like to have them
presented. Several times during the
course Of the days session Chairman
Gray reminded the attorneys of the
value of time and suggested that cross
examination be limited to new features
of those questions that have already
been gone over The lawyers assured
the commission that they. too were
anxious TO expedite matters and would
do everything possible to hurry mat
ters along without injuring their own
case
Mr. Mitchell has been on the stand
since last Friday morning and is show
ing signs of weariness from the strain
OF four days cross examination. Thus
far his attorney, c. 5. DarrOw, and
David Wilcox for the Delaware and
Hudson, Wayne MacVeagh for the
Erie. Francis l. Gowan for the Lehigb
Valley and W. W. Ross for the Della
ware. Lackawanna and Western COM
pany have examined the miners presi.
dent
Mr.. MacVeagh, who began his cross
examination OF Mr.. Mitchell on Satur-
day, concluded at IL o'clock. The dis
tinguished attorney centered most of
his energies In trying 10 break down
the miners reasons for asking for a
yearly agreement with the companies
ON hours of labor, wages and other
conditions. which, If made, would be
recognition Of the union. Mr.. Mac
Yeagh's principal aim throughout his
questioning of Mr.. Mitchell was to
show that the mine workers union,
because of alleged acts of intimidation.
violence and the use Of the boycott by
its members, proved itself unfit to be
party TO contract Mr.. Mitchell would
not admit nor even assume for the sake
Of illustrating points that a reign of
terror existed In the anthrac acite fields
curing the last six months. The recog-
milton of the union is looked upon as
the most important question before the
commission. and it is quite evident
from the trend of the proceedings thus
far that the companies will oppose 1t TO
their utmost ability.
Mr.. Gowan and Mr.. Ross questioned
Mr.. Mitchell principally regarding con-
diions existing at the collieries of the
companies they represent. These ques-
tons were more or less technical. Mr..
Aitchells answers as a rule differed
very little from the reasons given In his
preliminary statement to the commits
sion for improved conditions for the
mine workers. Interest in the proceed
ings is not waning. The large crowds
which have been wedged in the court
room in the preceding days of the
hearings were in evidence. Neither is
there a falling of in the attendance of
attorneys, of whom there are almost
two score present at each session.