The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-18
HOLD BACK THE CARS
MITCHELL SAYS OPERATORS RE
TARD THE MINING.
CAN NOT MINE MORE COAL
UNLESS ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT Is
PROVIDED.

John Mitchell Made What He
Thought Would BE His Last Talk
Before the mmissiOn-Said n
"Scab" Taken TO Testify Before the
Commission Had Been Duped-Im-
possible 10 Mine More Coal, Be-
cause the Tracks Are COngested
with Cnrs at the Mines.
Philadelphia. Jan. 17.-President John
Mitchell of the miners union, before
leaving for indianapolis to attend the
national convention of his organization
and subsequently the national wage
convention of the soft coal operators
and mine workers, delivered to-day
what he believed was his farewell nd-
dress TO the Coal Strike Commission.
The Scranton Coal Company which
also operates the collieries of the Elk
Hill Coal and Iron Company, closed
its case during the session to-day, and
was followed by the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad Com
pany. 1t was while the latter COM
pany was examining witnesses that
the hour for adjournment for the week
arrived. and Mr.. Mitchell arose and
asked to be permitted to make few
remarks. All the attorneys represent
ing the different interests before the
commission crowded around the min
ers' leader, as he prefaced his remarks
by stating that it would likely be the
last session of the investigation he
Satisfied with investigation.
81 wish to take this occasion to ex-
press my satisfaction and that of the
miners whom l represent for the man
ner in which the investigation is be-
ing conducted. l feel confident that
by the thoroughness of the inquiry 1t
will result in much good.
There has been a large part of the
time of the commission taken up by
the presentation of evidence, to show
lawlessness in the coal fields. or that
lawlessness existed to large extent
during the latter part of the strike.
The non-union man who was brought
here, the fellow who was called 'scab.
was brought here under the pretext of
getting an advance in wages. He
came here paid by the companies, no.
tel bills paid by them, and our men,
who went around to see them, say
money was furnished to them to enjoy
themselves while they were here. He
came here. and in not one single in
stance did those who represent him at
tempt to show that he was entitled
TO an increase in his earnings. The
non-union man was used. betrayed by
those who proposed TO take care of his
interests before the commission.
Il want to say, too. as to the matter
IF a tErlacGracG ha T1yaC
ident of union, before being a mem
Der of a union, I am an American,
over and above everything else. There
is no man connected with the organ
iZation, there is no man connected
with this commission who would con-
denim lawlessness stronger than l
would. If l did not do it because l
was opposed to lawlessness, I would do
it because it initiates against the sue
cess of a strike and against the sue
cess and advancement of the organi-
cation. l am sure the sympathy of the
people never will be with those who
violate the law. -........
what the Unions Replied.
Several days ago. l addressed a
communication to all the anthracite
mine workers, urging them to cooper
ate with the management of the
mines, in increasing the output have
heard from a large number of our To-
cal unions, and in nearly every in
stance the miners tell me that the pro-
duction of coal cannot be increased
through any effort of theirs, that in
most cases the companies are failing
TO furnish them as many cars as they
would load"
Maj Everett Warren of Scranton re-
quested Mr.. Mitchell to bring proof
forward, warranting the assertions
just made. The companies, he said,
would show that the men do not and
are not willing to load as many cars
as they can be furnished with.
In reply to this Mr.. Mitchell said:
MY information would Indicate that
1t is impossible to mine more coal.
The miners tell me the tracks are con-
gested with cars of coal at the mines"
MIR. Mitchell concluded by saying
there were 5000 union men idle, and
that the operators could increase the
output by putting these men at work.
During the day John r. Wilson,
counsel for the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western, made a statement say
ing that the miners work short hours,
that the system of payment is fair
and equitable, and that it has been
impossible to maintain discipline since
the advent of the union.