The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-01-10

NON-UNION MINERS SIDE
Strike Commission Listens to Many
Stories of Violence.
FROM MURDER TO LARCENY


Heard Before, Arbitrators Were
Greatly Interested and Asked Many
Questions.
Philadelphia. Jan. s.-The non union
men continue TO occupy the attention
Of the coal strike commission in Drc-
senting evidence OF lawlessness in the
anthracite coal region during The
strike The testimony yesterday in
ciuded many acts OF violence. from
murder down to plain assault and
petty larceny. Dynamite PLAYED a
leading part in the alleged persecution
OF non union men and their relatives
Five Witnesses testified to their
houses being more or less seriously
damaged by persons. some of whom
known to be union men. placing the
high explosives on the property: 9th
er witnesses told OF a dam being
blown up. one locomotive damaged.
steam pipes in two different collier
les either broken or damaged by dy-
Mantle. bridges and fences damaged
by incendiary fires and attempted
wrecking OF trains. One youth said
he was stabbed several of the wit
nesses were boycotted. and several
others told of being beaten by crowds
and Of their houses being stoned.
Besides this a young woman told
the commission shc was dismissed rs
a school teacher because her brother
chose TO work during the strike. a
young man testified that he was at.
tackled as he was coming out OF church
after being married. forcing him 10
sock refuge in a colliery. while his
bride got home the best she could
and another witness said he was afraid
TO attend the funeral Of hts mother
who had died while he was working
behind colliory stockade. one wit.
ness told OF having been punished by
a mob, forcing him to walk Is miles
az the head of a cheering crowd OF
strikers. Other testimony was also
presented in the endeavor to show
that q reign OF terror existed in the
strike Effected territory of the state
and that members OF the union were
largely responsible for IT,
While most OF the testimony given
by the witnesses was of the same
character as that heretofore heard by
the commission, the arbitrato-s were
greatly interested in each OF the 81
stories told on the stand. Many CUES
tons We're asked the witnesses by the
commissioners. Counsel for the mi.
ners attempted 20 break down some
of the stories. but they did not sue.
coed in shaking their testimony. It is
the intention OF the attorneys for the
non-union men to occupy about two
more days in presenting this sort OF
evidence.
During the proceedings James II
Torrey, of Scranton. counsel for the
Delaware and Hudson Company. In
terrupted long enough to explain to
the commission the law in Pennsylva-
MIA regarding the payment of deputy
sherins for special duty. which caus.
ed some discussion Tuesday. II was
TO the effect that the laws of the state
were not adequate enough TO permit
the county to pay the deputy sheriffs
for this special service, and that in
consequence corporations foot the
bills Mr.. Torrey said that the opera
tors Will. gladly join the miners in
having the laws amended so that the
companies asking for protection shall
not have to pay for it, and that the
burden be placed upon the people.
where it belongs.
Chairman Gray said that he was
glad to hear that an attempt would
be made to amend the laws to that
effect. and added that. with all due
respect to the great commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, he thought Il was a
most deplorable state of the law"
when sheriff cannot hire help and
must depend upon the rich to assist
him. If that be the case. he said, then
the poor are helpless.