The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-09-20
JOINT DEBATE
OVER STRIKE
President Mitchell Argues
With Operator.
NINE OWNER SAID
TO GAIN POINT
Many Additional Men Quit and
Tie-Up is More Complete.

going to or from his work, there is no
disorder. 1t was estimated tonight
that about 20 per cent of the mine
workers of this region were idle today
which is qui,e an increase over yester-
days figures. President Mitchell did
not issue formal statement tonight
because of his absence from headquar-
ters. He said, however. that from re-
ports he had received he figured ON
more than 126,O0O men being idle in
the anthracite district He added that
most gratifying reports were received
from this and the Schulklll district.
No negotiations for a settlement of
the strike are yet IN signt and the sit
uatiOn in that respect is precisely the
same as it was yesterday.
The United Mine Workers of this
section are combining their efforts to
get the men to quit work everywhere,
believing they cannot successfully car
ry on the contest unless every opera
ton in the three districts is tied up
completely. The operators appear to
be doing nothing toward a settlement
Of the trouble. They are working the
collieries which are crippled as best
The mine owners in the Hazelton dis
trict complain bitterly of what they
call the ''crucl tactics of the union.
They claim that the workmen who are
still going to the mines are being in
undated and even threatened with Sc
rious bodily harm if they do not quit
work. They also add that most of the
men now idle desire to resume work,
but through fear of assault they do
not leave their homes.
Joint Debate of Opponents.
The meeting this afternoon at Jeddo
OF the employees of G. B. Markle &
Co, who operate the JeddO. Ebervale,
Highland and Oakdale collieries. prov
ed to be probably the most remarkable
gathering of its kind ever held in the
anthracite region. 1t was expected to
be a heart to heart talk between John
Markle. managing partner of the firm
and his employees, who number $500,
but it developed into a Joint debate. in
which Mr. Markle, President Mitchell,
Rev. Father Philips and National
committeeman Benjan"in Jones took
part. 1t began in a dignified manner
but gradually degenerated into impas-
stoned argument and wound up very
close to personalities.
Over 1000 persons were present at
the meeting. Before the arrival of the
MarkleS one of the miners in the crowd
moved that the men in the Markle
ines strike. A viva voce vote was
Yes"
President Mitchell was in the crowd,
and he was invited to speak AS he
walked up the steps of the school house
John Markle. Alvin Markle and Gen.
eral superintendent Smith of the firms
mines, came along the railroad track.
and the trio stood on the embankment
OF the road and list ned TO the strike
leader eXhOrt his hearers. All around
them, sitting on the embankment, were
the wives. mothers, sisters and sweet
hearts OF the men, while the school
children gazed from the windows of the
one-story building. and the school
master stood at the door
Mr. Mitchell said. in brief, that ne
regretted that the men of the Markle
mines were divided, but was glad that
those who opposed the strike were in
the minority. He said the eyes of
l3S,OOO miners were looking toward
them, and that if they all stopped work
the victory would be won: but. on the
other hand. if a few went to work it
would injure the interests of all the
men.
Employer Starts to Speak.
Then John Markle made his way to-
ward the crowd of miners and started
10 ADDRESS the men,
Markie was unable to speak for
awhile because of Interruptions by
many in the crowd. Several of the
United Mine Workers officials at
tempted to get the crowd to disperse
latter, however, won over the gather
ing
He told them the company stood
ready to arbitrate any differences with
the men, He said the company had an
arbitration agreement of long-stand
ing with the men. and that he would
live up to it, and expected the men to
do the same. He also said that he
would abide by the decision of the arbi-
traitors, no matter what the award
might be. Mr.. MarkIe concluded his
address by paying his RESPECTS to the
United Mine Workers officials. calling
them agitatOrs and charging them with
being responsible for all the turmoil
in the region.
Mr.. Mitchell then got on the steps.
and standing beside Mr.. Markle told
the crowd that the United Mine Work
ers would not accept arbitration on
that basis. It must be the whole re-
gion and net part of it.
Mr.. Markle again addressed the men.
and reiterated what he said last Sun
day, that he would accept Archbishop
RiOrdan of Philadelphia as an arbi-
traitor, TO which Mr.. Mitchell replied
that he would accept the archbishop
on the basis that the United Mine
Workers prop Observation-Disclosures of the
whole region a. one and the same time.
Priest Favors Arbitration.
At this point Father Philips. who was
in the crowd, was called upon by the
men and delivered a speech favoring
arbitration. he told the men that there
was a chance to arbitrate their honest
differences. and if they did not seize
the opportunity they would be giving
organized labor the hardest blow il has
ever been dealt, and that all the men
who refused the offer deserved all the
hardship that the operators could put
upon them in 100 years.
President Mitchell zT1-r-1-
again spoke. and Benjamin James also
addressed the men. but their remarks
We're largely of a personal measure
The meeting lasted two hours. breaking
up at twilight.
The strike leaders claim that as re
suit of the meeting the Marl<Ie mines
viii be closed. while the firm claim
that the meeting was a packed one
and that their mines will operate to-
as usual.
The McAdoo miners. to the number of
$50. marched to Coleraine this after
noon, where they gathered quite a
crowd and listened to addresses by
strike leaders.