The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-20
Remarkable Meeting Of
Markle Miners.
Owners offer to Arbitrate De-
clined by Strike Officials.

Halzeton, Pa, September 19.-The
bird day of the strike passed of as
quietly as the two preceding days. Be-
yond the occasional stoning mine
worker going to or from his work,
there hae been no disorder. 1t was es-
timated tonight that about 10 per cent
OF the mine workers Of this region were
idle today, which is quite an increase
over yesterdays figures. President
Mitchell did not issue a formal state
ment tonight because of his absence
from headquarters. He said, however,
that from reports he had received, he
figured on more than 126, GOO being idle
in the anthracite district. He added that
most gratifying reports were received
from this and the Schuylkin district
No negotiations for settlement of the
strike are yet in sight ana the situation
in that respect is precisely the same as
it was yesterday.
The united mine workers officials are
conhning their efforts to getting the men
quit work everywhere. The operators ap-
pear to be doing nothing towards a set
tlement OF the trouble. They claim
that the workmen who are still going to
the mines are being intimidated and
even threaten with serious bodily harm
if they do not quit work.
The meeting this afternoon at Jeddo
of the employees Of G. b. MarkIe & Co.,
who operate the Jeddo. Ebervale, High
land and OakdaIe collieries, proved to be
probably the most remarkable gathering
OF It's kind ever held in the anthracite
region. 1t was expected to be a heart
talk between John Markle, managing
partner of the firm, and his employees
who number e, 500, but it developed into
joint debate in which Mr. Markle
President Mitchell, Rev. Father Philips
and national comm itteemen Benjamin
II. James. took part. It began in a
dignified manner, but gradually degene-
rated into impassioned argument and
wound up very close to personalities.
The committee of the Markle employees
called a meeting for O'Clock In front of
the village school house at JeddO, for the
purpose Of hearing what Mr.. Markle had
to say in regard to the grievances The
United Mine workers officials announced
a meeting for o'cIockEat the same place,
but for some unknown reason it was
not called to order until o'clock.
Patrick Gallagher, a miner, was elected
chairman. The Markle employees are
divided on the question of striking, and
when the grievance committee was asked
to make a report of some kind and failed
to present one, miner in the crowd
moved that the men in the MarkIe
mines strike. A viva voce vote was taken
and there was great roar OF "ayes.
President Mitchell was in the crowd and
he was invited TO speak. AS he walked
up the steps of the school house, John
NarkIe, Alvin Markle' and General Su-
Smith of the firms mines,
came along and the trio stood and
listened to the strike leader exhort his
hearers.
MIR. Mitchell in brief said he was glad
that those men in the Markle mines
who oppOsedthe strike were in the m1norl-
ty. He said that ii they all stopped work,
the victory would be won. At the CON
olusion OF this address, Mr. John Markle
made his way through the crowd OF MI
ners, He was unable to speak for
while because of Interruptions. MI