Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25
Will Begin to Take Testimony
Monday.
WIDE LATITUDE GIVEN
CARROLL D. WRIGHT ADDED TO
THE ARBITRAToRs.
Operators Will Be Probably Represent
ed by Counsel-Details of Ex-
animation Yet Unsettled.

Representatives of both the miners and
the operators will appear before the an
thracite coal strike commission in this city
next Monday afternoon at o'clock. In
formation to this effect has been received
by the commission in response to invita-
tions sent out yesterday
There has been some talk about the op-
orators endeavoring to eliminate Mr. John
Mitchell. president OF the United Mine
Workers Union, from the proceedings con-
nected with the settlement of their difficult
ties, but there is doubt that Mr.. Mitch
ell will continue in his commanding posi-
tion in the controversy. He will not ap-
pear here the president of the United
Mine Workers, but the representative of
the strikers in the anthracite coal regions.
The commission has no means and no in
Clination to control the selection of any one
to represent the miners, and If they send
Mr.. Mitchell, whose connection with the
industry has already been recognized by
the President, the fact that he was original
ly from the soft coal region will not have
any effect on his standing.
To Represent the Operators.
1t is not known who the coal operators
will send here to represent them on Mon
day. 1t is thought they will be represented
by counsel and that the operators who
appear will merely do so In order to give
their testimony. Their lawyers will doubt
less be present throughout the hearings in
order to ask such questions they de-
sire and to bring out testimony favorable
to their side of the case.
1t is understood that the greatest latitude
will be allowed in the giving of testimony,
both as regards the witnesses and the
scope of their statements Anyone, from
anywhere, who is supposed to possess In
formation that will assist the commission
to come to conclusion of the questions
before 1t will be called. and if they care
to come before the commission they will
be heard. The commission has no power to
compel witnesses to come before it to
answer questions. so that all testimony will
be entirely voluntary.
Mr.. Moseley and DR.. Nell, designated by
the President to assist Mr. Wright, the re-
corder, were today at the office of the COM
missioner of labor. and were in conference
with Mr, Wright for some time, discussing
the work that is before them. Both of the
assistants will do such parts of the work
as are indicated by Mr. Wright. The plans
OF the commission have not yet been devel-
oped sufficiently to allow the work to be
mapped out in great detail. In fact the
meeting TO be held on Monday afternoon
will settle quite a number of minor ques-
lions of procedure, after which definite
plans can be formulated.
Will Go to Coal Regions.
AiiSAS - bO uOuot Aibdl Tie commission
will decide to proceed to the coal region In
few days, and to at once begin the taking
OF testimony. How long It will take to con-
clude the proceedings and to bring in
finding no one connected with the commits
sion will estimate. Whether 1t will take
two months or six months Is a thing en-
tireiy for future development. The COM
mission expects in a few days to learn
about the number of witnesses that both
the miners and the operators will wish to
place on the stand. The opera tors, being
in the nature OF cOmplainants, will be
heard first, and they will have an opportu-
nifty to make out case of their grievances
They will be unrestricted in the bringing
of witnesses before the commission Until
they have practically closed their case the
operators cannot tell what witnesses thev
VIII wish 20 produce, 1t Is understood that
the operators will practically confne their
testimony TO the making of a reply to allie
cations Of miners.
The court room of the tntersta re corn-
merce commission will be used by the com
mission for its hearing next Monday after
noon.
Mr.. Wright a Member of Commission.
President Roosevelt announced today that
he had designated Commissioner of Labor
Wright as additional member of the coal
arbitration commission. Colonel Wright
will continue to act as recorder of the COM
mission. The announcement was accom-
1ect. The significance of this action is in the
fact that it will give Mr.. Wright vote on
all questions. which he would not have had
had he not been formally a member of the
commission. AS it stood before there were
six members and a twO-thirds vote would
have been necessary TO decide any question
Now with seven members a majority vote
Will prevail.
II was at the request of the members of
the commission, and with the assent of
both the operators and miners. that Pres-
Gent Roosevelt appointed Mr.. Wright
President Mitchell Invited.
The notice Of the meeting Monday after
noon and invitation to attend IT was sent
TO Mr. Mitchell No notification was sent
TO any other representative OF the strikers
because of the fact that the miners con-
Tention empowered him to represent them
before the commission. 1t is not known
whether he will be accompanied by the dis
trict presidents, but the members OF the
commission will not be disappointed or dis
pleased II he should be. Invitations were
sent 10 all the operators who signed the
proposition for a commission TO arbi;rate
the differences.