Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-09-20
THE GREAT Mine STRIKE.
The Number Of Men Now Out Es-
timated at l26, 900.
A MOST REMARKABLE GATHERING

Meeting of MarlxIe Employees DeveI-
oped Into Joint Debate Between
Employers and Mine workers Of
fcfaIs--Threatened Conflict Averted
Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 20.-The third
day of the strike passed off as quietly
as the two preceding days. Beyond
the occasional stoning of a mine work
or going to or from his work there
has been no disorder. 1t is estimated
that about 10 per cent of the mine
workers of this region were idle yes
terday, which is quite an increase over
Tuesdays figures President Mitchell
did not issue a formal statement last
night, because OF his absence from
headquarters. He said, however, that
from reports he had received he figur-
ed on more than 10000 being idle in
the anthracite district. He added that
most gratifying reports were received
from this and the SchuylkiH district.
No negotiations for settlement of
the strike are yet in sight. The uni
ted Mine Workers officials are con-
fining their efforts to getting the men
to quit work everywhere, believing
that they cannot successfully carry on
the contest unless every operation in
the three districts is tied up complete
ly. The operators appear to be doing
nothing toward a settlement of the
trouble. They are working the col
lieries which are crippled as best they
can. The mine owners in the Halle
ton district complain bitterly of what
they call the Cruel tactics of the
union men. They claim that the work.
men who are still going to the mines
are being intimidated and even threat
ened with serious bodily harm If they
do not quit work. They also add that
most of the men now idle desire to re-
sumo work, but through fear of assault
they do not leave their homes.
The most important development of
the coal miners strike which has oc-
CURED since It's inception was the eff
fort made yesterday by committee of
miners employed at the Natalie col
liery, Mt. Carmel, who are In close
touch with the operators who control
that mine-all New York capitalists
to secure settlement. They came
here to consult with several leading
mine officials as to the best method
of effecting their object. They said
that the operators they represented
are willing oadjust the principal grew
ances embodied in the demands of the
Hazleton convention, and they are
anxious to get their proposition to Ma
tional President Mitchell 1t Is be-
lieved that If they can effect their OBJ
iect the other operators will follow in
the same line
The meeting yesterday afternoon at
Jeddo Of the employees of G. b. Markle
8 Co., who operate the Jeddo, Eber-
vale, Highland and Oakdale collieries,
proved to be the most remarkable
gathering of It's kind ever held in the
anthracite region It was expected to
be heart to heart talk between John
Markle, managing partner of the firm,
and his employees, who number $500,
but 1t developed into a joint debate, in
which Mr. Markle, President Mitchell,
Rev. Father Phillips and National
Committeeman BENJAMIN James took
part. It began in a dignified manner,
but gradually degenerated into Inn
FASHIONED argument and wound UP
very close to personalities.
President Mitchell was the first
speaker called upon. He urged the
Markle men to Join the strike in order
to assure success. John Markle de-
ciared his willingness to submit to
arbitration, but President Mitchell said
his organization would not consent to
arbitration unless 1t included the whole
anthracite region. Father Phillips also
urged the Markle men to arbitrate. The
men voted to strike, but Mr. Markle
declares the rneeting was hacked.