Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-28
TESTIMONY FOR
MARKLE & co.
Jeddo Operators Present Evi-
dence to Commission.
Gases of Evicted Men Are
Again Taken Up and Re-
toId--A. G. Leisenring and
Geo. kugler on the Stand.


The attention of the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission on Monday was di-
rected to the claims and charges OF the
independent operators, the first case
presented being that Of G. b. Markle &
Co. Ten witnesses for the company
were examined, the more important be-
ing Sidney Williams, general superin-
tendent for the firm; Gertrude Martin,
a professional nurse In the employ OF
the company, and Frank Walk, general
storekeeper at Jeddo.
Samuel Dickson, counsel for the COM
pany, sprung surprise on the oppos-
ing counsel by requesting the commits
sion to summon to the stand d. j. Nc
Carthy, one OF the miners attorneys
Mr.. Dickson stated that he desired to
question Mr.. Mccarthy concerning the
evictions made by the Markle company
and regarding statement he had made
before the commission at Scranton.
Upon Mr.. Dicksons assurance that he
would not attempt to lead the witness
into any unprofessional act OF state
ment, Mr.. Mccarthy took the stand.
He was asked when he was first heard
OF the eviction notices served by the
Markle company on twelve tenants, to
which he replied that all his informa-
tion in this connection was secured as
attorney.
The evicted men told him they had
never Willingly signed such lease and
had never given authority to any person
to confess judgment In election.
81 believe" continued the witness,
''the men had a good defense, so l saw
the sheriff and asked him to notify me
day or two before he served the notice,
so | could prepare the defense. He
promised to do so, but failed, and when
| upbraided him he said the writs had
been prepared at midnight and brought
to him at 6 o'clock in the morning with
instructions to serve them i'm m ediately." :"
Counsel for the company asked the
witness If he was not aware that judg-
ment could not be confessed unless an
agreement had been signed.
II have heard of forged papers," re-
piled Mr.. Mccarthy.
do you mean to say these leases
were forgeres?"
81 mean to say l think the men were
previously deceived"
Chairman Gray asked II the men had
received copies OF the leases from the
company and witness replied In the
negative.
'These leases are commonly known
as cut-throat agreements, interjected
Attorney Brumm.
Gertrude Martin, professional nurse
OF Jeddo, said three nurses were en-
ployed by the company and their visits
and treatments were free to the en-
poyes. She said
II went to Jeddo In 1898 and work ed
among the miners. 1 found the doctors
for Markle & Co. unusually we'll edu-
L
ciates and between US we have treated
an average Of 5000 each year in miners
families, all free of charge to the men.
In connection with our work we have a
sewing school for the children of
miners"
"Do you know il Markle & Co. ever
charged the miners in any way for the
services of doctors or nurses?"
1.-THE men were never charged one
penny for any service"
Judge Gray asked: "In visiting
miners families did you ever seek In
formation outside your profession? Do
the doctors or nurses act as spies, as
has been charged?"
Never, 1t would be against the
rules of my profession to seek private
information or to divuge any informa-
ton that might be con6ded to me-"
On cross-examination witness said she
had observed some cases OF asthma, but
she had no way of determining the num-
Der except from impressions. She said
she was paid by Mrs. John Markle.
Asked whether the physicians received
all the money collected from the mine
workers for medical aid, she said she
was not positive, but thought they did.
William p. Meigs, manager of the
Bloomsburg Car Manufacturing Com
pony, testified that his firm had built
mine cars for Markle & Co. from 1890 to
1896. Each car had capacity OF 146 81
cubic feet.
w. S. johnson, superintendent of the
American Car Company, OF Berwick,
Continued on Fourth Page.