The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-08
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for troops. The witness did not think
, so. IF the troops were here, those
things would have occurred just the
same" he added.
When the cross examination of Father
Curran was ended, Mr.. Darrow pro-
ceeded to the consideration of con-
ditions at the collieries of G. b. Markle
e Co, of Hazleton. Two witnesses, a
breaker boy and a miner, were put on
the stand to tell how some mine work.
ers never receive any money by reason
of their inability to get out of the COM
pany's debt.
The boy Andrew Chippie. told that
he is II years of age, and picked slate
in the Jeddo colliery of Markle & Co.
-Four years ago, his father was killed
in the mine. The father was then owing
the company $54.95. The mother took
in boarders and worked hard to sup
port herself and four small children,
but could make no headway and had to
send the boy into the breaker. He was
given a job at forty cents Il day or four
| cents all hour.
Was Going Backward.
Six weeks before the strike began he
went to work. His first due bill cred
tied him with 561a hours at four cents
an hour, or S2.26 Charged against him
was the $54.95 his father had owed the
company; $4.65 for rent and $2.75 for
coal. This left the boy indebted to the
company $4,000. His next due bill, dated
November 10. credited him with eight
| hours or thirty-two cents, which was
the balance owing him when he went
on strike. On the debit side was n
charge of $3.50 for the balance of the
debt owing the company plus the rent
for the strike period. There was also n
charge Of fifty cents for brass check,
which the company furnished to breaker
boys. This left the boy owing the COM
pany SSS.!1.
You weren't getting ahead very fast,
We're you?" remarked Judge Gray.
The boy also told of the hardships of
a slatepicker's life, how he worked in
Il bent position picking the cold, wet
slate and how the breaker boss some
times pulled his ears to make him work
faster. The commissioners We're deeply
| impressed with the boys recital, and
asked him a number of questions con-
cerning his sorry lot.
James Gallagher, Il Markle & Co.
miner, 60 years of age, was next called
! W lilc Slttlitl. Jlc NttS ISluScu Ie-Slll-
ployment at the close of the strike, and
during the strike was evicted from u
company house. He supposed he was
accorded this treatment because his son
WAS secretary of the local of the miners
union.
Only Fifty Dollars.
He told that he worked al one stretch
for seventeen years and nine months
without drawing any pay, except once
when he got $50. He was compelled to
trade at the company store, he said,
and was unable to get out of the COM
pany's debt. When the debt would get
very large, the company would give him
a good chamber, When he would be
nearly out of debt, he would be put in
n bad chamber and his earnings re-
duced so much thereby, that he could
not get out of debt. His pay averaged
less than $l,25 Il day, he said.
Mr.. Darrow asked the witness if he
was ever hurt in the mines.
"A man is never hurt in the mines
unless he is half-killed," said the wit
ness
Well, We're you ever half-kiled?"
Yes, indeed"
How many times were you half
killed."
Twice"
Then YOU were killed entirely" re-
marked Judge Gray, after the laughter
subsided.
mo; it was this way, The first half
was healed before | got the second"
lie was evicted from the company
house, he stated, two days after receiv-
ing notice TO quit the premises. His
goods We're thrown out in the road dur
ing a rain storm. He carried them into
| the cellar of Il neighbours house, His
wife was old and feeble, ana had to be
helped out of the house by two deputy
sheriffs,
He also told that one of his sons lost
his arm while in the employ of Markle
q Co., and that when he went to the
company's office to ask for assistance,
was told that Markle q Co, was not a
charitable institution.
| The witness WAS cross- examined
briefly by Attorney George II. Bedford
regarding the alleged breach of agree
lnent on the part OF the Markle & 90.
employees, when they Joined in the 1900
strike. That agreement was in effect
| that the men would not strike under
amy consideration without first submit
ting the matter in dispute To a board of
arbitration. The men hesltated to join
the 1900 strike, but We're finally per-
suaded to do so by President Mitchell.