Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-11
NO ARBITRATION"
Says John MarkIe Regarding
the Miners Strike.
He Recites the History Of the Broken
Arbitration Agreement.
In Face Of Which Operators Will Not
Yield One Jot.

New York. Sept. 10.-John Markle.
head of the firm of g. b. Markle &
Co. the largest of the individual coal
operators in the anthracite field, to-
day. made a statement respecting the
postponed arbitration between the EN-
ployers and employees.
There will be no arbitration" said
he. and no settlement of the Goa!
strike in any way. We have not for
gotten our experience on former oc-
casion. There had been in existence
from 1855 an agreement with the men
in our employ providing for the settle
ment in an amicable way of all diff
ferences that arose. by arbitration
This was the result of Il local strike
lasting three months. in 1885
In 1857, Notwithstanding the ex-
istence of this contract for arbitra-
ton, the men deliberately broke their
agreement and went on strike. which
lasted six months. Yet we re-estab-
lished the arbitration agreement after
it was over and went on. In 1897.
there was a widespread strike in the
Lehigh region, but our men stood by
their agreement and never lost Il day s
work.
In 1900, John Mitchell appeared and
began campaign on our property. Our
employees presented a list of griev-
ances and l replied and suggested
that if our answers We're not salts
factory they could demand arbitration
under the existing agreement. Mr..
Mitchell distinctly opposed any arbi-
tration. asserting that we were insin-
cere. Father Phillips. n well-knoWn
priest of Hazelton, of his own violition.
urged the men to abide by their COM
pact and suggested Archbishop Ryan
of Philadelphia, as the third arbitrator
Mr.. Mitchell opposed all of this. claim
ing that it was a bluff.
"A meeting of our employees was held
in which Mitchell came unsolicited and
made a speech. He asked me publicly
if | would abide by the arbitrators'
verdict and when | said we would, he
turned to the audience and pleaded
with them nevertheless to go on strike.
Father Phillips and I followed him,
urging the men to stand by their agree
ment. and the men refused to follow
Mitchelfs lead. :
''Then came Il round of threats. in
timidation and violence. Almost inn
medlately r1otlnS parties ot SeNefai
hundred men appeared on orr prop
erty. led by Mitchell's deputies, in the
vain effort to compel our men to break
their agreement. They inauSurated a
reign of terror, which finally resulted
in the employees breaking their con-
tract and throwing the projected arbi-
ira ton to the winds.
The Hon. NJ. A. Hanna came into
the dispute and secured some conces-
sions The strike ended and it was
heralded as a triumph for Mitchell
Work was resumed under these condi-
lions, Oct -. 1900. The result has been
the establishment of every kind OF
trades union in the coal district. FROM
that time on there have been innumer-
able strikes. Mitchell has become a
demi-God and alone is obeyed, so that
all ordinary means of discipline are
practically disregarded.
with this history before us / am
sure no reasonable man Will ask US to
engage in any arbitration with MI
Mitchell or his immediate followers.