The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-09-20
MINE OWNERS
COMPLAIN OF THE
'CRUEL .I:. !. TACTICS, z
As They Term 1t, Of the Union Men
In Intimidating and Forcing the
Miners to Quit Work.
NO SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT.
Over Ice, 900 Now Idle-Remarkable
Debate Between nm Operator, Com
mitteeman James and a Priest.

HAZLETON, Pa, Sept. 19.-The third
day Of the strike passed off quietly as
the two preceding days. Beyond the oc-
caslonal stonlng OF mine worker 60
Ing to work or from work, there has
been no disorder. II wns estimated to-
night that about 70 per cent OF the mine
workers OF this region were idle to-
day which Is quite an Increase over
yesterdays figures. President Mitchell
did not issue formal statement to-
night because OF his absence from
headquarters. He said. however, that
from reports hr had received he figured
on more than le6,o0O being idle in the
anthracite district. He added that most
gratifying reports were received from
this and the Schuylkill district.
No negotiations for a settlement OF
the strike are yet in sight and the sit
untion in that respect is precisely the
same as 1t was yesterday. The United
Mine Workers. officials are conflning
their efforts TO getting the men to quit
work, everybody believing that they
cannot successfully carry on the con-
test unless every operation 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 collleries which
are crippled rs best they can. The
mine owners in the Hazleton district
complain bitterly Of what they call the
"crue! tactics" of the union men.
Men Desire to Return to Work.
They claim that the workmen who
are still going to the mines are being
intimidated and even threatened with
serious bodily harm II they do not quit
work. They also add that most OF the
men now Idle desire to resume work.
but through fear Of the assault they do
not leave their homes.
The meeting this afternoon at Jedde.
OF the employees OF C. B. Markle & Co.,
who operate the Jedde, Ebervale, High
land and oakdale collieries. proved to
be probably the most remarkable gath
ertng OF its kind ever held in the an
thracite regions. It was expected to be
heart to heart talk between John
Markle. managing partner Of the firm,
and his employees, who number $500.
but it developed into Joint debate. in
which Mr.. Markle, President Mitchell.
Rev. Father Phillips and National
Committeeman Benjamin James took
part. 1t began in "a dignifed manner.
but gradually degenerated into impas-
stoned argument and wound up very
close to personalities.
Meeting Called.
The committee OF the Markle EN-
ployes, which presented the grievances
OF the men to the firm last week, called
a meeting for O'clock this afternoon 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 Work.
ers officials also announced n meeting
Of the Markle mine workers for 2
o'clock this afternoon at the same
place. but for some reason not known It
was not called TO order until 4 o'clock.
The chairman Of the grievance commit
tee called the one thousand people
gathered there to order. after which
Patrick Gallagher. miner. was elect
ed chairman. The MarkIe employees
are equally divided on the question of
striking, and scme members OF the
grievance committee who tried last
week to avert n strike, were accused Of
standing in with the company. At the
meeting this afternoon, the committee
was asked to make n report of some
kino' and falling to present one. MI
ner In the crowd moved that the men
IN the Markle mines strike. A viva voce
vote was taken and there was great
roar Of yeas"
Mitchell Asked to Speak.
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 Mar
"Ie and General Superintendent Smith.
Oh The firms mines. came along the
'atiFoad track and the trio stood on the
e'noer cmbankment of the road and
is'ened to the strike leader exhort his
hearers.
mr' Mitchell In brief said that he re-
s'etted that the men OF the Marklc
.,.ines we're divided, but was glad that
nose who opposed the strike were In
"c minority. He said the eyes OF
t'S,V'o miners were looking toward them
Nnu mat II they all stopped work the
victory would be won; but on the other
naha' y a few went to work It would
"Jufe the interests OF all the men.
ffesident Mitchell cut his address
s"of'' as he wanted to go to Mahanoy
'y Tonight. but when he saw John
..A'R!e make his way toward the crowd
" miners and start to address the
ed. - - a' =
w. 'inrkie was unable to speak for
mniie' because OF interruptions by
", ,y IN The crowd. He told them the
Si., 'pahy stood ready to nrbltratc any
."'s'ehces ... with the men and proposed
S"1 lay 'he company select one arbitrator
,,m %I lne men choose one. II the two
VII. 70 agree, these two men could in
sta 'Hifd man to Join them in con-
,.,c 'ns .' inc matters before them. He
ms.. '"e company has such an agree
p,s -, ., iong standing with the men
'@Ss ne would live up to Il and cx-