The labor world., 1900-09-22

tly as the two preceding days. Be
lyond the occasional stoning Of q mine
worker going to or from his work, there
has been no disorder. II was estimat-
ed tonight that about 70 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 statement be-
cause Of his absence from headquarters.
He said. however, that from reports
he had received he figured on more than
12600O being idle in the anthracite dis
trict He added that most gratifying
reports were received from this and the
Shuylkill district.
No Change in Situation.
No negotiations for a settlement of
the strike are yet in sight and the sit
uation in that respect is practically the
same as yesterday. The United Mine
Workers of this section are confldlng
their efforts to get the men to quit
work everywhere, believing that they
cannot successfully carry on the con-
test unless every operation IN the three
districts is tied up completely. Ihe
operators appear TO be doing nothing
toward settlement Of the trouble.
They are working the cOlliers which
are crippled as best they can. Ihe
mine owners in the Hazelton district
complain bitterly Of what they call the
rcruel tactics Of the union They
claim that the workmen who are still
going to the mines are being intimidat-
ed and even threatened with serious
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.
4 Remarkable Gathering.
The meeting this afternoon at Jeddo
of the employees OF G. r. Markle & Co,
who operate the Jeddo Ebervale, High
land and Oakland coleries, proved to
be probably the most remarkable gath
ering of it's kind ever held in the an
thracite region. 1t was expected to be
a heart to heart talk between John
Markle, managing partner Of the firm,
and his employees, now numbering $500,
but it developed into a joint debate,
in which Mr.. Markle, President Mitch
ell, Rev. Father Phillips and National
Committeeman Benjamin James took
part. 1t began in a dignified manner,
but gradually degenerated into lmpas-
stoned arguments and wound up very
cIocn tp narS0n1 lilies
Two Meetings Called.
The committee of the Markle employ
es, which presented the grievances of
the men to the firm last week, called
a meeting for four o'clock this after
noon in front of the village school
house at Jeddo for the purpose of hear
ing what Mr.. Markle had to say in re-
gard to the grievances. The United
Mine Workers also announced a meet
ing of the Markle mine workers for
two o'clock 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 committee
called the 1000 people gathered there
to order after which Patrick Gallager,
a miner, was elected chairman. The
ton of striking and some members of
the grievance committee who tried last
week to avert a strike were accused
of standing in with the company. At
the meeting this afternoon the COM
mite was asked to make a report Of
some kind and failing to present one
a miner in the crowd moved that the
men in the Marllle mines strike. A
viva voce vote was taken and there
was a great roar of 'Yes.
Heard Mitchell 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 MarEle and General
Superintendent Smith of the firms
mines came along the railroad track
and the trio stood on the cinder EN-
bankment Of the> road and listened to
the strike leader exhort his hearers.
All around them, sitting on the enl-
bankment, were the wives, mothers,
sistrs and sweethearts of the men,
while the school children gazed from
the windows of the building and the
school master stood at the door.
Mr.. Mitchell said, in brief, that he
regretted that the men OFF the Markle
mines were divided but was glad that
those who opposed the strike We're in
the minority. He said the eyes Of 1885,
600 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 in
jure the interests of all the men. Presi-
dent Mitchell cut his address short as
he wanted to go to Mahonoy City to.
night, but when he saw, John Markle
make his way toward the crowd O.
miners and start to address the men h
changed his mind and remained.
MarkIe Tries To Speak.
Mr.. Markle was unable to speak TO
awhile, because Of Interruptions b.
many in the crowd. Several of th
United Mine Workers officials attempt
ed to get the crowd to disperse ant
not to listen to Mr. Markle. The lat