The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-23
MITCHELL BEFORE IT.

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
dental expenses was made. In emergencies,
such as the necessity for a relief fund.
additional assessments were made II such
Mr.. Mitchell said IL was probably because
of the principles Of organization, and the
miners We're organized for purpose-and
that purpose was to receive good pay for
their wages and TO protect their interests
Mr.. Mitchell said there were IL 900 miners
organized in Indiana, and he thought all
OF them had been employed during the
year and had worked according to union
regulations in turning coal out Of the
mines. He explained that the operators
who owned mines not now being worked
might open them If they found a market
for their coal, but the implication OF the
agreements between the soft coal men OF
Indiana and the miners was that the oper-
ators would treat the miners fairly and
only mine coal with union workmen. TX
farmers or any one else were employed at
mines the union would not interfere with
become union men they could apply for
union charter from national headquarters
and secure Ii for SIS. The individual initia-
ton fees would be fixed by themselves and
the national organization would do no more
than support them i'm their work and gov
ern their actions according TO the constitu-
KNOWS OF NO COLLISION.
In reply to a question from Senator Hen
dee Mr.. Mitchell said he knew of no col
fusion or connivance between the operators
and the coal-carrying railroads. He said
that while he had no personal knowledge
of it nor could not positively say there
was none. there might be without his
knowledge, but he did not believe il likely
that the railroads and operators had COM
bined to withhold the supply in order to
raise prices. He said the shortage of coal
cars and the means of locomotion was APP
parent in the anthracite district as well
as in the soft coal fields. He said the an
thracite fields are now turning out as much
coal as ever before, but 1t is not being cir
culated as fast as mined.
During the examination the various men,
bers of the commission and Attorney Cen
eral Miller frequently interrupted Mr.
Mitchell with questions calculated to bring
out needed information and all were salts
factorily explained by Mr.. Mitchell.
When he had concluded his statement
the members of the commission thanked
him. and after bidding them goodbye he
left the Governors Office. Before leaving
Governor Durbin invited Mr.. Mitchell to
call on him IL he found time during his stay.
and in turn Mr.. Mitchell suggested to the
at any time during the convention.
The members Of the commission have
about agreed that their investigation can
not bring out any additional facts, and 1t
it thought that a report will be made soon.
Yesterday Charles r. Williams, editor or
the News, and Harry S. New, OF the Jour
nal, appeared before the commission. Both
Mr. New and Mr.. Williams were questioned
as to their knowledge OF the coal situation.
The questioning elected little information,
as the editors merely knew In general
way that there was shortage OF coal.
but knew nothing Definite OF the cause
Mr.. Williams was asked IL he knew any,
thing of the sources of information used
by the writer's for his paper in alleging
collision and connivance between the oper-
ators and coal-carrying railroads, and he
knew III.