New-York tribune., 1903-01-07

Sans IT Is Un-4mer1can Not III
Protect Life and Property.

Philadelphia Jan. 6-Twenty-two men, an
except one OF whom were employed In ana
about the coal mines. appeared petore the
Coal Strike Commission at its first session in
this city to-day. and recited the oft-toid tales
of persecution they and others underwent our
ing the recent coal strike because they chose
to work rather than join the strikers. The ex-
ception was Charles H Schadt. Of Scranton
the Sheriff of Lackawanna County. and his
cross-examination by President Mitchell, of the
miners. union was the principal feature OF the
proceedings
The Sheriff, in direct examination, said that
he issued proclamation shortly after the strike
was begun. calling on all persons in the county
to keen the peace; that it was difficult to get
men for deputy sheriffs; that in most cases
where there was trouble it was usually over
when he his men arrived, and that the us
turnances became so numerous and serious that
he had to call on the government for troops.
He had appealed to Mr.. Mitchell. whom he knew
well to assist in keeping the peace The miners
president promised to do So and in several m
stances was of material help
Sheriff Schadt was then turned over to the
miners To the surprise of most of the audi
ence Mr.. Mitchell took UP the examination. 1t
was the first time that Mr. Mitchell had at
tempted cross-examiuation to any extent. The
Lackawanna County Sheriff said that he had
employed about forty or fifty deputy snerlHs.
who were paid by the coal companies He could
not say that a general state of lawlessness eX-
listed in the county, hut there was a reign of
terror in some places. As rule. crowds. in
cluding mine workers, obeyed his orders TO dis
perse. He also admitted that the second con-
tingent of troops sent into his county was
ordered there without his request
This satisfied President Mitchell and General
Wilson asked the witness why the county did
not pay the deputy sheriffs The sheriff re-
piled that the companies had made the request
for protection. and counsel for the witness ex-
planned that according to Pennsylvania law the
company asking for protection must pay for it.
This explanation surprised Chairman Gray.
who said: II am not familiar with such an un-
American law. When the county or the State
relinuuishes the duty of maintaining and pro
tecting life and property and keeping the peace.
then il is open to criticism
LYMAN Croop, of Plymouth, near Wilkes
barre a mine worker. told of being beaten on
several occasions while on his way to work, and
Of complaining to Philip Walters. Justice of the
Peace of Plymouth. for protection but without
success Counsel for the miners tried TO show
that the Justice of the peace would not act be-
cause Croop would not give him sufficient evil
denCe.
Chairman Gray did not place much weight on
this and said: 1.-The justice of the peace de-
serves all the advertising he got here, piloried
as a justice of the peace who failed to do his
duty
Daniel Dickson, of Philadelphia, attorney for
the independent operators in the Hazleton
region submitted TO the commission the wage
statements of the companies he represented II
the hearings might not last more than two
weeks longer.