The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-07
UT TOLD TALES
 ARE REC|TED Twenty-two Men Appear Before Strike Commission SHERIFF SCHADT ON STAND Commission Resumes It's Work of Hearing Non-Union Mems Side of Controversy of the Great
 industrial War.
SHERIFF SCHADT ON STAND

l phiadelphia, January 6.-Twenty-two
 men, all but one of whom were employed
 in and about the coal mines, appeared be-
 fore the anthracite coal strike commission
 at it's first session in this city today, and
 recited the oft-told tales of persecution
 they and others underwent during the
 late coal strike, because they chose to
 work rather than join the strikers. The single exception was Charles H. Schadt of Scranton, the sheriff of Lackawanna county, and his presence on the stand under the cross-examination of President
 John Mitchell of the miners union, proved to be the principal feature of the days
 proceedings. A statement from his att
 torney to the effect that according to the l Pennsylvania law the counties do not
 pay deputy sheriffs sum loned at the re-
 quest of the companies, but that com-
 pany is obliged to pay for protection
 when it demands 1t, surprised Chairman
 in his chair, said:
 T am not familiar with such an un- 1 American law. When the county or the
 state relinquishes the duty of maintain
 ing and protecting life and property and
 keeping the peace, thel they are open l
 l to criticism.
 Sheriff schadt also stated that he would not say there was a general state Of law
 lessness in his county but that there was
 reign of terror in some localities. The
 appearance of Mr. Mitchell as cross-ex- l aminer created considerable surprise, as
 it was the first time he had attempted
 cross examination to any extent. . | Lyman Croop of Plymouth, near
 Wilkesbarre, 69 years old. mine worker, was also an interesting witness. He told of having been beaten on several occa- sions while on his way to work, and Of having complained to Justice of the | Peace Philip Walters of Plymouth for protection, but without success. While the entire day was taken up In hearing the stories told of intimidation, boycotting and personal violence, the commission learned nothing new, the evl- dence being mostly cumulative
 Samuel Dickson of Philadelphia, attor- ney for the independent operators in the Hazleton region, submitted to the con- mission today the wage statements of the companies he represents. It was stated by member of the commission today that 1t is possible the hearings of
 the commission will take. up not more
 than two weeks. The lawyers of the
 operators met late this afternoon and ar ranged matters so as to expedite hear ings. The attorneys for the non-union
 men say they find it difficult to bring
 witnesses before the commission because they fear bodily harm and the commis- sion has to invite the desired persons to | come here and testify.
 After recess over the holidays the | anthracite coal strike commission resum- | ed it's work today of hearing the non- Lunion mems side of the controversy of the great industrial war In the anthracite
 coal regions during the past year. The sessions of the commission In this city are being held in the United States Cir cult court room in the Federal building,
 and 1t Is expected that fully month will
 be occupied in taking the testimony of the
 non-union men, the coal operators and
 the mine workers in rebuttal.
 When the commission adjourned at Scranton, the miners had closed their
 case and the non-union men were en- gagged In presenting their side of the con | nict. Up to the holiday recess the law | yers for the non-union men had taken | up about three days in calling witnesses | who testified to acts of violence, boy l cotting and intimidation alleged to have | been committed by members of the miners union. The witnesses heard were prlnci- pally from the upper region in the vicin- | ity of Scranton and Wilkesbarre. | The session began at Il o'clock. The court room was well filled when the commissioners filed in and took their
 seats. All the prominent attorneys were present excepting c. c. Darrow, leading l counsel for the miners who was delayed | in the west.
 | The first business brought up was the presentation by their counsel of wage
 statements of several of the small inde- pendent coal companies in the Hazleton region.