Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-01-15
LAW WAS UNKNOWN.
Terrible Stories Of the Lawlessness
During the Coal Strike.
WEDDING PARTY CHASED BY mob.
Groom Took Refuge In the Coliiery Where
He Remained All Night-Men Separated
from Families and Not Even Permit
ted 70 Bury Their Dead.

Philadelphia, Jan. S.-The nom
union men continued to occupy the
attention of the coal strike COM
mission in presenting evidence of
lawlessness in the anthracite coal
region during the strike. The testi-
mony included many acts Of violence,
from murder down to plain assault
and petty larceny. Dynamite played
a large part in the alleged persecu-
ton of non-union men and their rela-
tives. Five witnesses testified to
their houses being more or less seri-
ously damaged by high explosives.
Other witnesses told of damages by
dynamite, bridges and fences dam
aged by incendiary fires and of the
wrecleing of trains. One youth said
he was stabbed. Several were boy
cotted and others told of being beat
en- by crowds.
While most of the testimony given
by the witnesses was of the same
character as that heretofore had by
the committee, the arbitrators were
greatly interested in each of the ~
stories told on the stand. Many
questions were asked the witnesses
by the commissioners. Counsel for
the miners attempted to break down
some of the stories, but they did not
succeed in much aiding the testi-
mony.
The most interesting story of the
day was that told by Thomas Wash
aisd, of Hazleton, clerk for Par
dee & Co., who was married ON the
night of September IS. He was at
work at the colliery and his neigh
bors began to denounce him. On the
night of the wedding a small crowd
gathered AT the Catholic church and
as the bridal party entered the edi-
flee Washaiski and his bride were
called "scabs." Coming out after
the ceremony he was assaulted by
the waiting crowd, which had greatly
increased. The driver of the car
rage was not permitted to take the
couple home and the witness sought
refuge in the parsons residence and
the bride was escorted home by
friends. While in the parsons resi-
dence the crowd remained in the vi
cinity and called the bridegroom vile
names and yelling "scab" at the rec
tor of the church because he had
performed the ceremony. Later on,
the witness said, he managed to get
away from the house and spent the
night in the colliery, being afraid to
go to his home.
All listened to the story with close
attention and Chairman Gray's only
remark was: "What sort of COM
munity is this, anyway"
Charles Carl, of Mahanoy City, a
loader boss at the Tunnelridge col
liery Of the Reading company, told
a pathetic story. He was compelled
to remain within the stockade of the
colliery because he was afraid to go
home. When his wife and children
visited him at the mines they were
followed by jeering crowds. He
learned that his mother was dying,
and, taking a circuitous route,
the home of his mother just
after she passed away. While she
was lying dead In the house he was
called vile names and his
life threatened. He did not attend
the funeral Of his parent because he
was afraid he would be killed.
During the proceedings James b.
Torrey, Of Scranton, counsel for the
Delaware & Hudson company, inter
rupted long enough to explain to the
the law in Pennsylvania
the payment of deputy
sheriffs for special duty. 1t was to
the effect that the laws Of the state
were not adequate enough TO permit
the deputy sheriffs for this special
service and that in consequence cor
porations foot the bills. Mr.. Torrey
said that the operators would GLADLY
Join the miners in having the laws
amended 80 that the company asking
for protection shall not have to pay
for il and that the burden be placed
upon the people where It belongs.
Chairman Gray said that he was
glad to hear that an attempt would
be made to amend the laws 70 that
effect, and added that Il was most
ieplorable state Of law" when . sher-
IA cannot hire help and must depend
upon the rich 10 assist him 'If that
Be the case" he said, 'then the poor
IRE helpless.-
--ss,rssa 6sS 80 > ss'snsA-