The Van Buren press., 1902-12-13
THE NARK[E CO. METHODS.
Testimony of Miners of the Markl'
Co. Before the Anthracite
Strike Commission.
THE MINERS PLUCKED At EVERY TURN.
Exorbitnnt Prices Charged Ihem
for OIL, Blasting Paper and Pow
der-A Miner, Injured In the Com-
napy,, Employ, Heartlessly
Ey;cted with His Family.

Eyicteu win his h"iiy'
Scranton, Pa, Dec. 10.-When the
strike commission opened its session,
Tuesday, H. C. Reynolds, one of the
attorneys for the independent opera
tors, announced the death of DR.. j.
n. Rice, an independent operator, who
was a party to the arbitration scheme
and was prominent in the present me-
gotiations.
Chairman Gray, for the commission,
expressed sorrow at the death of DR..
Rice.
In few well-chosen words Judge
Gray called attention to the uncer-
tainty Of life, and reminded all who
are parties TO the controversy that
they may at any moment be called to
that high tribunal, which gives exact
justice to all,
The first witness called was James
McBonigle, a miner formerly en-
ployed by the Markle company. He
said the breast he was working in was
so dangerous that he complained TO
the company officials that he might be
killed He was told that if he worked
any other breast he would not be
given any cars. He went out on strike,
and after the suspension he was re-
fused work and evicted from his
home.
b. d. Gallagher, another Markle
miner, testified that the company
charges him 3j cents gallon for oil
that sells in Hebelton, few miles
away, for IS cents, and 32 cents a
quire for blasting paper that can be
had for IS cents.
Chairman Gray asked what the out
side market price for powder was.
Some of the Independent operators
said sl,25 a keg, but attorneys for
the miners said 30 TO 9j cents "A keg.
The companies are selling it to the
miners at Slj0 a keg.
Andrew lIannik, a Hungarian, told
how the Markles eyicted him. He was
followed by Henry Coll, another Mar
kle miner, who told how his family,
including his mother-n-law, who was
100 years old were set out on the
road with their household goods. He
gave graphic description Of how he
was injured many times in the mines,
We said one Of his legs was no better
than wooden one; he had only one
eye, his hands had been crushed, ribs
broken and skull fractured. The
company gave him nothing until after
the employees took up collection for
him, then he was given $50 after be.
ing on the injured list for two years.
The company took out of the col.
lection the rent he owed.
In answer to other questions he
said that he was one of the l3 evicted
by the Markle company, The only
rent he owed was for the months dur.
ing the strike,
The company gave no reason for
eyicting him.
Then followed the most pathetic
story yet told the commission. The
old miner, dccrepit from many iniu.
ries, told under examination of how
the eviction was carried on. The wife
was sick and her lOO.year.old mother
was blind and unable 10 walk. The
day on which they were thrown out
was rainy. lie took them, the best
he could, to Ha2leton, seven miles
away, and placed them in a cold.
damp, empty house This was last
month, when the atmosphere on the
hazleton mountain was quite cold.
His wife became worse. "Medical aid
was kindly furnished because of our
having been turned out of the hou,s,
and one night he said between sobs,
"she died"
"She died?" said Judge Gray, who
was pacing to and fro across the room
as he quickly turned when he heard
the mans last words
"ies, sir, she died. and buried her
yesterday
All the commissioners and many Of
those In the courtroom were much AZ.
fec,ed by the miners story The wit.
ness went on TO say that he did not
know whether the centenarinn wns
alive at the present moment or not.
She was in bad condition owing to
her daughters death, when he left
the house Monday night,
No one cured to cross.cXamlne, and
Judge Gray Mld'
"ThH, Is all, Mr., Coll, and that a
enough"
After closing the Mnrkle case, the
representative Of the miners called
witnesses who had formerly been en-,
ployed In the mines Of several com.
pancs 10 show that black list exists,
and ,hN, some Of the companies had
broken the agreement which ended
the strike and resulted IN the appoint.
mcHt of the arbitration commission.
IT is the intention Of the lawyers for
the miners TO take up the conditions
Of the collIcrIcs Of the Lehlgh Valley
Co. aud others In the IIa2le,on region.
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The American Rod (roaa