Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-09

OF THE STRIKE
Freeland People subpoened
to Give Testimony.
Discussion as to Whether
the Union Should Expel
Members Who Committed
Violence During Conflict.

The question whether the United
Mine Workers of America should expel
members who are found to have been
guilty OF violence during the strike came
before the commissioners at the hearing
yesterday, and was the occasion OF o
warm discussion, In which Judge GRAY,
John Mitchell, Clarence Darrow and
others participated
Mr.. Mitchell argued that there were
100000 members In the miners union
and that it was impossible to keep
strict surveillance over each individual
He maintained that there must be
'egal conviction before it would be
proper TO take action. Otherwise, ac-
ton on the part of the union would
tend to prejudice the miners case in
court.
Mr.. Darrow said that the union had
no right to expel member because he
had been guilty of violating a law OF
The commonwealth. That was more
than churches or political parties did
and more than was expected of them.
Judge Gray maintained that churches
and political parties were not 10 class
with the United Mine Workers, and that
1t was to the interests OF the organiza-
ton to punish members who disobeyed
the injunctions OF their officers In the
union to keep the peace.
The controversy was brought about
by question OF Commissioner Parker
on the action of the Mahanoy City local
in the case OF two men who had been
convicted of assaulting Anthony Fer
guson. Clarence Ginley, member of
the executive board OF the Ninth dis
trict, was called to answer the question,
but he did not know IL the men had
been expelled.
Ginley's testimony about the efforts of
union officers to aid the police, the
manner in which the police thwarted
those efforts by bullying the strikers and
calling in armed deputies and the mis-
representation of facts when disturb
ances occurred with which the strikers
had nothing to do, was another feature
Of the hearing
Mr.. Ginley said that one OF the Scran-
ton witnesses had been discharged soon
after giving his testimony. Judge Gray
took the name and address and an
nounced his intention to investigate.
John Mitchell was recalled to testify
whether or not the murderers of Daniel
Sweeney were members OF the union.
lie said their membership had ceased
before the murder by reason of nom
payment of dues.
A number of witnesses of the oper.
ators were called and told stories of
violence. Before the adjournment of
the session Judge Gray said he hoped
the witnesses for the non-union men
would be discontinued. He said the
commission wanted to get all the facts,
but that it seemed as though the test-
mony was being unduly prolonged.
Mr.. Mitchell suggested that the oper-
ators should be required to prove the
assertion made by President Baer, OF
The Reading Railway, to President
Roosevelt, that the United Mine Work.
ers had committed twenty-one murders
during the strike.
They ought to prove it," said Judge |
Gray, "but, OF course, we can't instruct
counsel as to the preparation OF their
cases."
General Goblin was to have been called |
yesterday afternoon, but the non-union
counsel demanded the right to call more
workmen.
A number of Freeland people have
been subpoened by the operators attor-
neys, and among those who went to |
Philadelphia yesterday were Rev. Carl |
Houser, Max Geisel, John Hodgens,
William Slattery and Albam Wasmer.