Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-01-08
NOW FOR THE AGONY.
Anthracite Strike Commission Hear
Ing Miners Tales Of Woe.
MANY STORIES OF PERSECUTION.
Tvesty-two Men Testified Yesterday bat
Nothing New was Developed Exami.
nation OF Sheriff schadt the Princi-
pal Feature at Tuesdays session.

Philadelphia, Jan. 7.-Twenty-two
men, all but one Of whom were en-
ployed in and about the coal mines,
appeared before the anthracite coal
strike commission at its first ses-
sions In this city Tuesday and re-
cited the ofttold tales of persecu-
ton suffered during the late coal
strike, because they chose to work
rather than join the strikers. The
single exception was Charles II.
Schadt, of Scranton, the sheriff Of
Lackawanna county, and his pres
ence 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.
The sheriff in direct examination
said he issued proclamation short
ly after the strike was inaugurated
calling upon all persons in the coun-
try to keep the peace; that 1t 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
on all localities and that the dis
turbances became SO numerous and
serious that he had to call on the
governor for troops. He had ap-
pealed to Mr.. MITCHELL, whom he
knew quite well, to assist in keep
ing the peace and the miners presi-
dent promised to do so, and in sew
eral instances was of material help
to the sheriff.
Sheriff Schadt was then turned
over to the miners for cross-examina-
ton. To the surprise of most per-
sons Mr.. Mitchell took up the exam
nation. 1t was the first time that
Mr.. Mitchell had attempted cross-ex-
animation to any extent. In answer
to questions of the mine workers
leader the Lackawanna county sheriff
said he had employed about 40 or so
deputy sheriffs and admitted that
they were paid by the coal compa-
MES. He could not say that gen.
eral state of lawlessness existed in
the county, but said there was
reign of terror in existence in some
localities. He also admitted that the
second contingent of troops sent
into his county was ordered there
without his request. Gen. Wilson
took the witness in hand and asked
him why the county did not pay the
deputy sheriffs. The sheriff replied
that the companies had made the re-
quest for protection. ..
Lyman Croop, of Plymouth, near
Wilkesbarre, 69-year-old mine
worker, was also an interesting wit
ness. He told of having been beaten
on several occasions while on his
way to work and of having appealed
to Justice of the Peace Walters, of
Plymouth, for protection, but with
out success.
Twice during the proceedings At
torney barrow tried to get an admis-
sion from witnesses that they did not
employ the lawyers representing the
non-union men before the commits
sion. The union miners claim that
the attorneys are employed by the
coal companies, virtually giving the
operators two submissions before
the commission. Counsel for the OPP
orators In each case objected to Mr..
Darrow's line Of examination and the
objections were sustained by Chair
man Gray on the ground that it made
no difference who was employing the
attorneys, SO long as the commission
got the information 1t desired.
While the entire day was taken
up in hearing the stories told of in
timidation, boycotting and personal
violence, the commission learned
nothing new, the evidence being
mostly cumulative.