Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-04
UNION OPPOSES DISORDER
Preacher is Asked TO Counsel Goal Strikers
to Patience.
MINERS BRING REPUTED EVIDENCE
Deny hat Production e. CurtniIed by
Wen. Putting Blame on COmpa-
nies for Not Providing Suf-
ncient Fuel Cars.
MINERS BRING REPUTED EVIDENCE

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. .-Much OF
the rebuttal testimony presented today to
tho anthracite coal strike commission was
furnished by mine workers from the upper
region. In this section the miners are ask
ing for payment by weight. The witnesses
in every case were questioned concerning
the advantage Of such a change in the wage
scale and all were unanimous In the opin-
ion that the method was the only Just one
where the veins we're fiat.
Witnesses were called to testify concern
ing the alleged restriction of production,
ard much evidence was introduced regard
ing conditions in the coal regions during
the strike.
Rev, p. J. Mcmahon, rector Of the Roman
Catholic church at Minersville, said a COM
mittee Of union mine workers called upon
him about four weeks after the strike be-
gan and requested him to counsel his par
ishioners against acts which might bring
the. strikers and the union into disrepute.
Similar advice, Father Mcmahon said. was
offered in other churches, with the result
that there was no disorder in that vicinity.
Mrs. ]. Pierpont Morgan was present for
a short time during the morning session.
Holds JustIceN Partial. %
Daniel 7. McKelvy, a Justice Of the peace
OF Hazleton, was recalled for cross-examl-
nation.
Counsel attempted to show that the Wit
ness had neglected his duty as an oticer
Of the law because OF his Partially toward
the strikers, but he asserted that he had
not failed in his duty. He told of having
been out an entire night among the strik-
ers' pickets. His object. he said, was to
advise the strikers to remain away from
company property and to create no dis
turbance.
Judge Gray appeared dissatisfied with the
witness evidence concerning the assault
upon a nonunion man, with which McKelvy
had been charged. The Judge was unable to
understand clearly witness description of
the occurrence and displayed considerable
impatience.
~ suppose it's my fault that I cannot
understand you, squire" said he, but l
give 1t up"
Commissioner Parker asked the witness
IL he had advised any OF the men not to
return to work. McKelvy said he had
made several addresses during the strike
and suggested to the men the ACCESSIBILITY
Of remaining firm.
Calls MarkIe's Prices High.
F.. ]. Curry of Freeland, a general store
KEEPER sdlu tue prices CudIBbu IN hlhThle B
stores averaged l2h per cent higher h
his prices.
William Mclaughlin of Shenandoah said
there were few scenes Of disorder in that
city. the notable exception being the riot
ing in which Joseph Bedral was killed and
which resulted in the cali for troops.
Counsel questioned witness concerning
the effect Of General Gobin's celebrated
"shoot to kill' order and said It created a
general feeling Of Indignation. Witness
said also that soldiers were frequently ar
rested for disorderly conduet They were
invariably taken from the civil authorities
by General Goblin. a.,. - 81,
what was General Gobin's attitude re-
garding the strikers2'' witness was, asked.
Jadge Gray decided against the ques-
ton. He said: General Gobin's attitude
was that OF a man sent to the place for the
purpose OF maintaining order"
c. d. Gallagher of Plymouth, a miner IN
the employ Of the Delaware & Hudson, wal
questioned regarding the alleged restriction
Of output. He knew Of no cases where the
miners were responsible, but said produc-
ton was limited by the c%ompany's failure
to furnish enough cars.
In answer to questions by Mr.. Watkins,
witness thought payment by the day would
be desirable for the miners, but something
OF a disadvantage to the operators because
under that method the men would not work
as hard as at present.