New-York tribune., 1903-01-27
EvIcTIoNs BY G. B. MARKLE & co
Independent Operators Begin the Presenta'
ticn of Their Case.

pb;.deInhia Ian o6-The Independent oper-
ators began to-day the presentation OF their
case before the Strike Commission the nrst 10
apnear being G. b. Markle * Co., whose COLI
;a;as .,.a n, and about Jeddo, in the Lehigh re-
gion Ten witnesses for the company were ex-
amined the more important being sidney Will
Jams general superintendent of the hrn 1ei-
trude Martin. professional nurse in the employ
Of the company. and Frank Walk, general store
keeper at Jeddo-
Superintendent Williams was subjected to
rigid cross-examination by Mr.. Darrow' he
was compelled tc admit THAI, though the coiii-
pauv refused to re-employ thirteen men because
of alleged criminal acts during the strike, ne
had no knowledge that any one OF them hau ever
been guilty OF a criminal act
Miss Martin was good witness for the COM
pany She told of the efforts of Mr.. and MIS-
Markle to care properly for the sick employees
and said that where cases of necessity were dis
covered medicine and nourishing food were FUR
nished to patients free.
Walk described the operations of the COM
pany store. The prices. he said. were about the
same as those charged by other dealers. Only
employees of the company received credit he
said that after the company store system was
abolished and he resorted TO the cash basis he
lost two-thirds of his custom
Samuel Dickson, counsel for the company,
surprised the opposing counsel at the morning
session by requesting the commission to sum-
mon TO the stand D. J. Mccarthy, Of Hazieton,
one of the miners attorneys Mr.. Mccarthy
demurred but on Mr. Dickson's assurance that
he would not be led into any unprofesslonaI
act he took the stand.
He was questioned about eviction by the
Markles. and under cross-examination ne SAID
that the evicted men had been elected without
notice.
Chairman Gray asked if the men had received
copies Of the leases from the company Mr.. Nc
Carthy replied in the negative.
These leases are commonly known as cut
throat agreements are they not?" interJected
Mr.. Brumm
Yes" said the witness.
In answer to further questions he SAID that
he knew the leases signed by the men confessed
judgment in election The evicted men told him
that they had never Willingly signed such leases
and had never given authority to any Peisoil ~
| confess judgment ejectment.
.I believed" continued the witness, the men
had good defense so l saw the sheriff and
asked him 10 notify me a day or two before he
served the notice, so that could prepare the
defense. He promised to do SO. but failed ana
when ] upbraided him. said the wits hao peer
! prepared at midnight and brought to him at Z
| O'Clock in the morning. with instructions 'o
serve them immediately ;,
/ Counsel Tor the con pang dSheu lilS
| he was not aware that Judgment could not he
! confessed unless agreement had been signed
Il have heard Of forged papers," replied Mr
| Mccarthy. -
/ DO you mean to say these leases were for
| geries?'' -z,,
| Il mean to say think the men were grossly
| deceived Mr.. Mccarthy replied.
When Mr.. Williams was on the stand ne sac
/ that none of the evicted men had paid any
/ rent during the strike. He was asked II he mac
observed any cases of illness among the fam
| lilies compelled to leave their homes and re
! nlied in the negative. In one or two cases M
continued. the sheriff had asked an extension
/ of few hours to permit the famliles 10 seafcf
fo- ano+ber dwelling Counsel for the company
! had however advised against this course, as NJ
| believed 1t TO be d ruse to obstruct the iega
|