The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-11-26
GOAL STRIKE COMMISSION.
President MitcheIl's Testimony
Concluded.

erS, Union, comptSIe0 Ills GeSblmouy at
noon today before the anthracite coal
commission. During his ordeal he
was examined by his own attorney and
those of the Erie Company, the
Delaware and Hudson, the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western, the Lehigh
Valley and the Philadelphia and Read
ing Coal and Iron Compny, and also
By the attorneys of the independent
operators. He was followed on the
witness. stand by the Rev. Peter
Roberts, Congregational minister,
who has studied the anthracite coal
industry and has written book on
the subject. He was still on the
stand when the commission adjourned
for the day.
One of the most important things
brought out by the cross s-examina-
ton of President Mitchell was, his
emphatic declaration that the miners
were opposed to separating the
hituminous miners from the anth-
racite workers, thus creating two
organizations. He made this reply to
a question of Congressman Simon
Wolyerton, counsel for the Reading
COMPANY, as to whether it would not
be better to have separate organiza-
tions. Mr.. Mitchell's answer was that
it would not be possible or desirable.
The anthracite mine workers have bad
independent organizations in the past.
They have had several. They have
gone. They are not here now and the
men do not want any more Of their
organizations to 60 the same way"
Commissioner Wright, as head Of
the department of labor in his report
to President Roosevelt on the coal
strike, dated June 20, suggested
among other things as reasonable
and iust'' to prevent Industrial con-
Rict in the anthracite fields, that the
anthracite employees should organize
an anthracite coal miners union, In
its autonomy to be Independent of
the United Nine Workers of America, !"
but might be affiliated with it. There
has been some gossip among the small
army of attorneys at the hearings that
the commission may possibly suggest
such a separate union and the fact
that MI. -Wolverton touched on the
matter shows thatit is being seriously
thought Of in some quarters. What
effect Mr. Mitchell's declaration will
have on the attitude Of the commits
sioners, if this phase of the labor
question is taken up by them, is, Of
course, not known. The non-union
men, that is, those who remained at
work during the strike, were made a
party to the arbitration plan today by
their counsel agreeing to make public
the names Of the men who pefitioned
the commission.
Attorneysfor the on-striking work
men," as Chairman Gray designated
them, and who number about 1000,
made demand to the commission for
20 per cent increase in wages, with
no reduction in hours. Their at
torneys desired to withhold the names
Of the persons they represented. The
commission, however, decided it could
not be a party to such a plan Of
secrecy. III connection with the non
union feature OF the Investigation Mr..
Mitchell announced that he is also re-
presenting thousands of non -uinon
men who struck with the unionists
and that all the workmen would abide
by the award Of the arbitration COM
mission "or get out of the union"
Mr.. Mitchell's testimony today con-
tained little that was new to the COM
missioners and that Of Mr.. Roberts
was of a general character, regarding
the economic and social conditions in
the anthracite coal country. The COM
missioners, while regretting they have
to do so, are still reminding both sides
that they would like to have the sub
mission Of testimony expedited. Chair
man Gray several times during the day
interrupted and showeu that ground
then being gone over had already been
covered. It has been suggested that
counsel for both sizes agree to rules
for the submission Of evidence, but
nothing has yet been done looking to-
ward that end.
At the opening of today's session
Mr.. Mitchell was cross examined
| briefly by ". W. Ross, for the Della
:: ware, Lackawanna and Western
Simon P. Wolverton, for the Phila-
delphia and Reading, and James II.
Torrey, representing the Delaware and
Hudson. The individual operators,
who have not up to the present time
pressed their case before the commits,
sion, through one of their attorneys,
Ira II. Burns, of Scranton, inquired OF
the commission if they would be given
the opportunity to examine witnesses
| when questions arise which are differ,
ent with them than with the com
panies. Judge Gray answered that
they would.
Mr.. Mitchell, in reply to Mr. gBurns,
said that when man strikes be does
| not voluntarily give up his job, but
he strikes for an improvement in the
conditions of his Job. If he wins be
gets back the position; if he loses he
| goes back with his hat in his hand anc
asks for job.
Judge Gray here interrupted to ex.
plain the understanding Of the com,
mission with respect to the returning
to work of men who had been or
strike. He said: I think the under,
standing is that pending the conisder
alton of questions by this commission
the strikers were to return immediate
| 1y TO work. and I think the further