Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-07
STRIKE HEARING.
Sheriff Schadt and Pres.
Mitchell Tuesdays Features.
The Sheriff Didn't Sccrl TO Think
There Was Much Rioting.
h,s
Deputies Paid by Coal Companies, by
s2I5 the State Law.

1 Philadelphia, Jan. 6.-Twenty-two
men. all but one of whom were en-
ployed in and about the coal mines, APP
peared before the anthracite coal
strike commission at it's first session
in this city. today, and recited the OFT
told tales of alleged persecution they
and others underwent during the late
coal strike because they chose to work
rather than join the strikers The sin
gle exception was Charles IL. Schadt,
of Scranton the sheriff of Lackawanna
county, and his presence on the STAND
under ross-examination of President
John Mitchell of the Miners Union,
proved to be the principal feature OF
the days proceedings.
When the committee adjourned at
Scranton. the Saturday before Christ
mas. for the holidays, the attorneys Tor
the non-union men, who are party be-
fore the commission (they having asked
for an increase in wages and protection
against discrimination by the unlon),
were engaged in presenting witnesses
to prove that a reign of terror existed
in the coal regions during the period of
the strike.
Seventy-four witnesses had been to
prove this. and when the commission
began it's sessions in the United States
circuit court room in the Federal
building here at II o'clock, today, At
tornevs Joseph O'Brien of Scranton.
and John r. Lenahan of Wilkesbarre,
representing the non-union men, re-
sumed the calling of their witnesses
Sheriff Schadt was the second witness
called.
The sheriff in direct examination said
among other things that he issued
proclamation shortly after the strike
was inaugurated, calling upon all per-
sons in the county to keep the peace;
that it was difficult to get men to act
as deputy sheriffs; that in most cases
where there was trouble it was usually
over when he or his men arrived; that
he attempted to keep the peace in all
localities and that the disturbances be-
came so numerous and serious that he
mad been to call on the governor Nor
troops. He had appealed to Mr. Mitch
ell. whom he knew quite well, to assist
in keeping the peace and the miners
president promised to do so and in sew
eral instances was of material aid to
the sheriff.
Sheriff Schadt was then turned over
to the miners for cross-examination. To
the surprise of most persons Mr.. Mitch
ell took up the examination 1t is not
known whether he decided to do so be-
cause his personal attorney, c. S. OAR
dow of Chicago had not arrived from
the West or whether it was because
Mr.. Mitchell was personally we'll acc
quainted with the sheriff. 1t was the
first time that Mr.. Mitchell had at
H..
tent In answer to the questions of the
mine workers leader. the Lackawanna
county sheriff said he had employed
about 40 or 80 deputy sheriffs and adj
mittcd that they were paid by the coal
companies.
Led by Mr.. Mitchell. he said he
could not say that Il general state of
lawlcssness existed in the country, but
in answer to another query said there
was reign of terror in existence in
some localities. Among ither things
he said that as a rule crowds dispersed
when he ordered them so to do and
that striking mine workers whom he
knew obeyed his orders the same as
other persons. He also admitted that
the second contigent of troops sent in
to his county WAS ordered there with
out ms request.
This appeared to satisfy President
Mitchell and Gen. Wilson took the
witrcss in hand. asked him why the
county should be not pay the deputy
sheriffs. The sheriff replied that the
companies had made the request for
protection ana counsel for the witness
explained that ii was the law in Penn
sylvania that the company asking for
protection, was compelled TO pay for it.
Lyman Croop of Plymouth. near
Wikesbarre. Il 69-year-o mine work
en- was also an interesting witness. He
told of having been beaten on several
occasions while on his way to work
and of having complained to Justice
of the Peace Philip Waters of Ply
mouth, asking for protection. but with
out success.
Samuel Dickson of Philadelphia. at
torney for the independent operators
in the Hazeton region. submitted to
the commission. today. the wage state
ment of the companies he represented.
1t was stated by member of the
commission, today. that il is possible
the hearings of the commission may
take up not above two more weeks.
The lawyers for the operators met
late this afternoon, and arranged mat
ters SO as to eNpediate the hearing.