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| John Mitchell. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, November 18, 1902.
A YEARLY AGREEMENT.
Fourth Demand of the Union a Bone of Contention.
IRRESPONSIBILITY IS CHARGED.
Wayne MacVeagh Questioned President Mitchell About the Alleged Reign of Terror—Working of Agreements in Soft Coal Regions—Commission Wishes to Hurry Inquiry.
Scranton, Pa., Nov. 18.—In the presence of as many persons as could be jammed into the superior court room, Wayne MacVeagh for the Erie company and John Mitchell for the miners continued their brilliant battle of cross-examination before the anthracite coal commission.
The fourth demand of the union which calls for a yearly trade agreement, and which means a straight out recognition of the union, was the bone of contention, and although four hours were taken up in a discussion of the question not much material progress was made.
MacVeagh attempted to show the utter irresponsibility of the union and its unfitness to make contracts which it could not live up to. His principal argument was the alleged boycott and he often hard pressed the miners' president for an answer.
The latter, however, slowly and deliberately gave some reply, but they did not always satisfy his inquisitor, who expressed his admiration of the ability of the witness.
Mr. MacVeagh weighed heavily on what he said was a reign of terror in the anthracite region during the period of the strike and with the assistance of many documents maintained that it would be utterly impracticable for the coal companies he represents to enter into agreements with an organization that could not control its own men.
Mr. Mitchell stoutly maintained that the discipline in the organization is as good as it possibly could be where 147,000 men were involved. He claimed that the strikers were not entirely responsible for the acts of lawlessness that were committed. He regretted that members of the union had in some instances violated the law, even after they had been warned to refrain from doing so, but made the excuse that in times of great excitement there was always more or less disorder.
Conditions Intolerable.
In answer to questions he said, that where there was a reign of terror, and he had no information that such was the case during the late strike, conditions arise that are "intolerable" or "unfortunate."
Replying to specific instances pointed out to him by Mr. MacVeagh where men had been deterred from going to work through fear of personal harm or social ostracism for themselves and families, Mr. Mitchell said that in some cases men may have been deterred, but denied the assertion that such alleged acts prevented the mines from being operated.
The miners' president could not be dragged into a fiat admission that he as president of the union approved of the boycott complained of by the companies.
During the cross-examination the commissioners often interrupted with questions in order to stop a long colloquy over some disputed point.
While the discussion of the effect a yearly agreement would have on the coal industry in the anthracite region was in progress frequent reference was made to the workings of agreements in soft coal regions.
This led to the announcement by Chairman Gray that the commission had decided to invite Herman Justi, commissioner of the Illinois Coal Operators' association, to testify before the commission. This announcement was favorably received by each side and the attorneys for the miners and the operators made suggestions for additional witnesses.
Mr. Wilcox, general counsel for the Delaware and Hudson company, after a conference with the other attorneys, handed up a suggestion that "such other witnesses, if any, as the Illinois Coal Operators' association may deem proper for the purpose of showing the effect of trade agreements with the United Mine Workers of America" be invited to attend.
Want to Expedite Inquiry.
Mr. Darrow, counsel for the miners, suggested several names and it is likely all the gentlemen will be invited to come here. The investigation is dragging too slowly to suit the commissioners and it is likely the commission will probably ask both sides to agree upon some arrangement for expediting the investigation. The lawyers for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western or the Philadelphia and Reading company will next take Mr. Mitchell in hand unless the programme is changed.
It is expected the attorneys for the non-union men will present their case to the commission today. If it is decided to hear them, it will inject an entirely new feature into the investigation, and one which was not expected at the time President Roosevelt created the commission.
Mr. MacVeagh went back to the question of whether or not the poor would have to bear the burden of the increase in wages if such an increase were granted. Nothing new was brought out except that Mr. Mitchell said that labor unions are democratic bodies, the members of which themselves decided whether or not they shall go on strike.
The question of boycotting was taken up again by Mr. MacVeagh who asked many questions on the matter. He again pressed Mr. Mitchell hard for a straight out expression on boycotts. The attorney read a list of names of 14 men who were killed during the strike. Mr. Mitchell said that a number of these men were killed by coal and iron police and that of the 14, 10 did not belong to the union. A list of the seriously injured was also put in evidence by Mr. MacVeagh.
MacVeagh spoke of calling out the pumpmen and asked how he could justify such action when these men were indispensible to the preservation of the property of the operators.
Mitchell declared if the calling out of the pumpmen had for its object the destruction of property, the union would not have given a 12 days' notice of the proposed strike. Their demands had been refused and they went out in order to force the operators to their terms. He contended that even had there been no miners' strike and the pumpmen, engineers and firemen made their demand and it was refused and they had gone on strike every mine would be closed. "In other words," said he, "two or three employes can shut down every mine."
Judge Gray asked: "In how large a degree does the success of a strike depend upon the existence of such a reign of terror or such conditions as have been characterized as intolerable?"
The witness answered: "Its success would not be dependent upon it at all. In my judgment, violence never contributed to the success of a strike, because it loses for those on strike the sentiment of the public."
"Do you say," Mr. MacVeagh asked, ''that the employers had any chances whatever of succeeding in this strike after this reign of terror was inaugurated?"
"I do not admit that a reign of terror was inaugurated," Mr. Mitchell calmly responded. "Neither do I think that the mines could have been started this winter or any time during the summer even in the absence of one act of lawlessness. I do not believe a sufficient number of men would have returned to work on the wages paid for a year."
Mr. MacVeagh then asked Mr. Mitchell if 15 men had been assaulted in one day, could it be expected of a man to return to his work the next day?
"Very likely that would deter him," Mr. Mitchell answered. He further stated that the reign of terror was largely in the newspapers.
Mr. Mitchell after further questioning said that any man that would use dynamite for the purpose of destroying property ought to be sent to the penitentiary.
PAGE FOUR—BRIEF EDITORIAL.
Many people will doubtless watch with interest the working of the scheme of the Actors' Church alliance in concert with the New York Church club, through a committee of prominent clergymen of that city appointed for the purpose, to keep the country advised as to what plays are fit for professing Christians to attend and for their children to know about. The chief obstacle to the success of the plan is the persistent habit of the great majority of playgoers to judge for themselves.
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| Cortland County Farm and Poor House [original buildings]. |
CORTLAND COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.
Annual Report to State Board of Charities.
THE SUPERVISORS CONSIDER IT.
Improvements Past and Contemplated to Buildings and Equipment—Need of Better Water Supply and Greater Precautions Against Fire—Lighting by Electricity Considered—Condition of the County Farm, Buildings and Care of Inmates Complimented.
The supervisors convened at 10 o'clock Monday morning for their sixth day's work.
Upon motion of Mr. Bennett, Elisha A. Williams of Homer was appointed sealer of weights and measures for the ensuing year.
The matter of new manuals for the supervisors was discussed. Clerk E. C. Alger was instructed to secure a sample copy of the new edition and to compare the manuals now in use with this, with a view of ascertaining if there are many changes in the new one. The manuals now in use by the supervisors are of the edition of 1898.
Report on Almshouse.
A report of the state board of charities in regard to the inspection of the Cortland county almshouse by Cyrus Clark Lathrop, made June 24, 1902, was presented, as follows:
The Building.
Capacity, sixty; estimated value, $23,000. The residence buildings are of brick, two stories high, with cellars and attics. The men's quarters are to the south, and the women's to the north. Part of the brick asylum building is used for inmates. To the north of the buildings are the brick laundry and boiler house. The buildings are in good repair. Renewal of some floors and stair treads is needed.
Recent Improvements.
Repapering of certain rooms, general repairs; some new board walks; enclosed yard for women.
Contemplated Improvements.
Hen house. No action was taken at the last meeting of the board of supervisors relative to providing an adequate water supply.
Heating is carried on by low pressure steam. Soft coal is used for fuel. Boilers are located in detached brick building. The lighting is by means of kerosene oil lamps. The ventilation is by means of doors, windows and transoms. Large day rooms permit the airing of the dormitories during the day.
Water Supply.
Five springs feed a masonry reservoir 10 by 10 by 7 feet, which is located about 160 rods from and 100 feet above the buildings. The water is brought to the buildings by a 3/4 inch lead pipe, hence an insufficient pressure. There are driven wells in the keeper's kitchen and in the barn. The bathing facilities consist of two shower baths, one for each sex.
Laundry Appliances.
All hand work. Hand "family washer," wooden boiling vats and wooden stationary tubs in which vats and tubs the water is heated by steam jets. Drying is done out of doors. The laundry is a detached brick building.
Drainage.
This is by a 10 inch, cemented joint, tile drain into the "East river," a stream flowing through the farm. The drain discharges at a point about 15 rods from the buildings.
Precautions against fire: None. A few glass hand grenades are distributed about the buildings.
Fire Escapes.
There are no outside iron or other fire escapes. There is one inside stairway for each, the men's, women's and keeper's departments. Exit may be had from any of these three buildings to any other across a flat tin roof, but the window giving access to the roof is at the head of the stairway leading to the floor below.
Farm and Buildings.
The farm contains 118 acres, the estimated value of which is $7,000. The barns and outbuildings are all of wood. The horse barn, located about 50 feet south of the asylum building, is in good repair. The other farm buildings, excepting the hog house which is new, are old and inadequate in capacity. The dairy is composed of thirteen cows, ten in milk. All the products of the dairy are given to the inmates.
Employment of Inmates.
Inmates, who are able, assist in the work of the institution. Several feeble-minded women are capable of a great deal of work, but the majority of the inmates are over 70 years of age or feeble.
The Census.
Number of inmates, males, 25; females, 17; total 42; children under 2 years of age, males, 2; females, 2; children between 2 and 16 years, none; number of blind, males, none; females, 1; number of deaf mutes, none; number of feeble-minded, males, 3; females, 2; number of idiots, males, none: females, 2; number of epileptics, none; persons over 70 years, males, 16; females, 5.
The means of separating the sexes are separate buildings and separate diningrooms. Enclosed yards for women separate the sexes out of doors.
Care of Sick.
One room is set apart for hospital cases in both the men's and women's departments. There are in these three beds for women and four for men. Dr. George D. Bradford of Homer, 1 1/2 miles distant, calls twice a week and when needed. Telephone communication had. Hospital supplies, diet, medicine, etc., are all furnished by the county. There are no paid hospital attendants.
Records.
The state board of charities' record of inmates is maintained and written up to date. The almshouse register of inmates is maintained and well and fully kept. A home-ruled book is used; one regularly prepared would be better. The state board of health record of vital statistics is kept upon proper blanks. Deaths since last inspection, Oct. 23, 1901, males, 2; females, none. Births, same period, males, none; females, 2.
[Annual] Salaries and Labor.
L. W. Porter, keeper, and Mrs. L. W. Porter, matron, $500; Edward Parker, farmer and assistant, $300; Mrs. E. Parker, attendants' cook, $156; Nancy Allen, institution cook. $156; Dr. Geo. D. Bradford, physician, $200; no chaplain, services irregular; Edward J. Bockes, Homer, N. Y., non-resident superintendent of the poor, $500.
General Remarks.
This almshouse was inspected the afternoon of Tuesday, June 24, 1902. The keeper and matron were away for the afternoon. The assistant keeper furnished the required information. The inspection was made alone.
A great improvement was noted of the grounds in the rear of the buildings, where old lumber had been burned up, and the grounds turned into a garden. The grounds and barn yards were clean; the barns and outbuildings in generally good order.
The cellars, corridors, work, store and living rooms were in good order, clean, and free from odor. The beds were more than usually clean and well made. White bed spreads are used on the women's beds, and colored ones on the men's.
The food was well cooked, abundant and varied. Meat in some form is given twice a day. The inmates express satisfaction with the diet and the care given them.
Almshouse Needs.
The greatest need of the almshouse is a larger supply of water and increased pressure. The reservoir should be enlarged, and a larger service pipe to connect it with the buildings. With the present small supply and the lack of pressure, the buildings are practically unprotected in event of fire. Stand pipes and attached hose are needed throughout the buildings. Liquid chemical fire extinguishers are needed. A power laundry is also needed.
Supervisors Discuss Report.
The matter of lighting the almshouse by electricity was discussed. Edwin Duffey of the Cortland and Homer Electric company was called upon to give some idea of the expense that would be incurred in wiring to the buildings and for lights in the same. He said it would take about fifty poles to extend to the buildings from the nearest point where the company now has a line. These with the wire would cost about $300. He thought that the building could be lighted for $6 or $8 a month after it had been connected. It is the opinion of many members of the board that it has been a good fortune indeed that no fires have resulted at the county house from the use of kerosene lamps in the hands of the many feeble inmates of the institution.
Samp and Milk Supper.
Grover Relief Corps, No. 96, will give a samp and milk supper at G. A. R. hall Wednesday evening, Nov. 10, between 5:30 and 8 o'clock. After the supper an entertainment will be given, at which time Rev. G. H. Brigham will give an address upon Gettysburg. Supper tickets 15 cents. All are cordially invited.
CASAR SENTENCED.
Blackmailer Sent to Prison on Indeterminate Sentence.
Harlow Casar convicted of blackmail and being the author of the letter sent to the Hon. Benn Conger of Groton, in which demands for $12,000 were made, was yesterday sentenced by Judge Bradford Almy at Ithaca to Auburn State prison, for an indeterminate term of not less than one year and not more than five years.
Casar was usually cheerful, says the Ithaca Journal, when he entered the courtroom. He talked frankly with the reporters, and stated that he was living on the hopes of a new trial. He was unaccompanied by any member of his family. He said it was hard for him to bear the sting of the jury's verdict because of the anxiety it caused his parents. Regarding his poor health, to which many allusions were made during the trial, Casar said he was a sufferer from liver complaint.
Attorney Sweetland made a motion for a new trial, upon eleven different grounds. One of' the strong points was that Abel T. Lott, one of the jurors, was more than 70 years old, and was therefore disqualified to sit upon the jury.
The motion was denied by Judge Almy who stated that he did not think the question of age should be brought up after the trial, because the juror when examined qualified in every respect. He was not questioned as to his age.
Mr. Sweetland then made a strong appeal for the court's leniency in pronouncing sentence. He alluded to the poor health of the prisoner, who had already been severely punished by several months' confinement in jail.
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| Ferdinand E. Smith. |
CORTLAND SCIENCE CLUB.
Interesting Stereopticon Lecture on Volcanoes by School Superintendent F. E. Smith.
The regular meeting of the Cortland Science club on Saturday evening was addressed by Professor F. E. Smith who took for his subject "Recent Volcanic Activities." While all the recent disturbances were noticed, particular attention was given to the disturbance in the island of Martinique which resulted in the destruction of St. Pierre. Mount Pelee having exhibited no activity since 1852 was considered extinct, until the eruption of April 25 and May 8. The destruction of St. Pierre was due to a hot blast and not to the usual lava overflow. Indeed the eruption was remarkable because of the absence of lava or molten rock, and because of the blast and the electrical phenomena. Whether gas had any part in the awful destruction that was wrought is a matter yet undecided, chemists having not yet sent in their report. The unusual number of eruptions this year is considered as being caused by stress due to cooling of the globe. It was brought out in the lecture, however, that this is largely speculative. The beautiful fiery sunsets that have been so prevalent this season are attributed to the presence of great quantities of volcanic dust in the atmosphere.
The lecture was given in the Central school building instead of in the public library as is usually the case. This was done the better to accommodate the large attendance and to give better scope for the display of a number of fine lantern slides used in illustrating the talk.
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| Goldwin Smith. |
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| Elizabeth Cady Stanton. |
BRAINS FOR CORNELL
Those of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Goldwin Smith Bequeathed.
The Ithaca correspondence of The Tribune says that Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the well known woman suffragist who died in New York on Oct. 26, willed her brain to Professor B. G. Wilder of Cornell, to be put in his collection in McGraw hall. If no objection is expressed by the relatives, and Professor Wilder expects none, the bequest will be fulfilled. Professor Wilder, who is an authority on neurology, has obtained many bequests of brains from notable persons, and he regards the brain of Mrs. Stanton as an important addition to the number. The brains of intellectual people he does not exhibit to the public gaze, but keeps them in his inner office. Those of criminals and malefactors, however, he has on view in the museum in McGraw hall.
BREVITIES.
—The Ladies Literary club meets tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. A. J. Murray, 46 Church-st.
—The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Miss Celia Hinman, 55 Tompkins-st. The club will have as its guests the Leisure Hour club of Homer and will listen to a paper by Rev. Robert Clements on "The Development of Architecture."
—The new display advertisements today are—Baker & Angell, Chas. Fale's dry warm shoes, page 6; Scotch Woolen Co., Suits and overcoats, page 8; A. Mahan, Needham pianos, page 4; The New York store, Dry goods, page 8; Perkins & Quick, Electric remedy, page 5; A. S. Burgess. Clothing, page 6; Hollister hardware and plumbing Co., Oil heaters, etc., page 4.
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