Evening journal., 1903-02-05
EXPERT WITNESS
ON THE STAND
Lively Tilt Over Figures at
Hearing Of Coal Strike
Commission
NUMEROUS INACCURACIES NOTED

sion was enlivened by the rigid cross
examination Of II. ID. Newcomb, stat
lstician for the Reading Company, by
Attorney Darrow, for the miners, and
the spirited passages between the law
yer and the witness. Several times
Chairman Gray felt impelled to inter-
Iere on behalf of the witness, admon-
lshing counsel to be less severe in his
criticism Of Mr.. Newcombs statements
and figures. The witness, during the
course Of his examination, said he ap-
peared to be giving kindergarten les
son, and the miners attorney said:
ITO whom; the commission?"
mo; to you" replied the witness.
Il doubt If you are even qualified to
10 that" was the lawyers response.
Mr.. Newcomb had prepared 81 ta-
bles OF figures showing various rates Of
wages in industries throughout the
country. His averages and conclusions
were sharply questioned, and In one
case the witness admitted his scheed-
ole was incorrect. Another time the
expert admitted the figures he had
given the commission did not apply to
Pennsylvania.
The tables as prepared showed a
death rate Of 1 5-10 per cent Of miners
and quarrymen over 65 years of age.
'You have found that mining is the
most healthful occupation OF all Ia
bort" asked Mr.. Darrow.
''The death rate is lower in that class
according to United States figures"
"Ah, you mean the figures lie, and
not your"
''You are insolent Mr.. Darow. You
have no right to say such thing to
me-"
yes; you have gone far beyond the
line, Mr.. Darrow," said Judge Gray.
you think your figures as pre-.
continued the miners lawyer.
"Yes"
This isn't fair cross-examination,"
lnterjected Mr.. Wolverton.
Mr.. Darrow continued: What do
your figures show in the death rate for
railroad men?"
'10.8 per thousand" A.ais.
4 "What for ministers?"
"23.5.'
'Then it seems it's more dangerous
to be a clergyman than to be a brake
mann"
= mo. In the professions such as
ministers the death rate is high be-
cause ministers, as a rule, are men
we'll advanced in years. They don't
become ministers, as a rule, until they
are 80 years Of age. For this reason
there are many deaths from old age.
In the field of labor large percentage
Of the workers are young men. That
makes the difference"
The remainder of Newcomb's occu-
pancy Of the witness stand was a series
Of tits between Attorney Darrow and
the statistician.
The comparative statements were
riddled under the lawyers merciless
fire, and finally Newcomb admitted
MI that q compilation presented by the
4 y miners counsel was more nearly cor
1 rect than those offered by himself.
One record prepared by witness in
rluded among the necessities Of a min
er's life a miscellaneous assortment Of
commodities ranging from copper and
iron ingots to drugs.
"Do the miners consider wood alco-
hol a necessity" asked Bishop Spal-
ding.
GAS much so as sulphuric acid and
birthstone, imagine" suggested Com
missioner Clark, all three Of the arti-
sles named having been quoted among
the necessities" and included in the
tables showing cost Of living.
"If you think there are any tables
you can produce to strengthen your
testimony" said Mr.. Darow, "just pre-
sent them"
"I think you have strengthened my
testimony enough" retorted Newcomo
as he left the stand.
At the afternoon session counsel fol
the operators intimated that the other
side was endeavoring to break its
agreement with the operators regarding
the basis Of percentage in arriving al
a definite conclusion as to the earnings
of contract miners. Numerous VIII
nesses have testified that the opera
tors statements presented to the com
mission show only the gross earnings
of the contract miners and fail to ac
count for the division of the none!
with the helpers. Counsel lot tn
companies admitted that the books ac
counted for the wages paid to the con
tract miners only, as the helpers wer
paid by the miners. This fact haVinl
been previously stated to the commits
sion and an agreement having bee
reached by both sides as to the manne
of making deductions in order to lear
as nearly as possible the actual earn
hngs of the miners, the operators coun
sci characterized as farcical the calm
of so many witnesses to attack tn
companies figures.
A score Of witnesses, miners en-
ployed by the Delaware, Lackawann
and Western company, the Pennsy
vania Coal company, the Hillside Coz
and Iron company, and the Temp
Iron company were examined concern
ing the wage statements Of the corp