Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-15
"BACK PAY"
Something About the Money Awarded
by the Strike Commission.

| Something About the Money Awarded
by the Strike Commission.
The employees of Coke Bros. & Co. at
Drifton and Eckley received their pay
for the second half of March yesterday
and the company's employees at its other
collieries are being paid today. In addi-
tion to their regular semi wages,
the employees received the money due
them according to the award of the
Strike Commission, viz 10 per cent on
their earnings from November l to
March 81. The total sum paid out by
this company on account of above ''ar-
rearages," as it is officially designated,
amounted to almost $50, 900. Work was
resumed at Drifton on November 90 and
at the other colieries on December /.
The official reports give the number of
persons employed in the mining depart
ment of Coke Bros. & Co. as 2,444. The
average amount of "arrearages" reeeiy-
ed was SIS, but the actual sums varied
from few dollars to almost 800.
Owing to the inclement weather last
evening the effects of the "big pay" at
Drifton and Eckley were not felt by the
business people, but much is expected
from it during the balance of the week.
Many of the recipients or their wives
today settled accounts which accumu
lated at the local stores during the
strike, while those whose debts are al
ready paid are preparing to invest the
money in various other ways.
So far nothing has been heard official
ly regarding the date when the other
mining firms of this vicinity will pay
their employees the 10 per cent due them
to March 81, but report is In circula-
tion that it will be distributed about
the middle of May.
The number of employees hereabouts
who are yet to receive their back pay is,
taking the figures from the official re-
ports, as follows:
G. B. Markle & Co.-Oakdale and
Ebervale, LAT; Jeddo, 744; Highland
537; total, 2,42s.
Upper Lehigh Coal Company-Upper
Lehigh, 574.
M. S. Kemmerer & Co.-Sandy Run,
263.
j. S. Wentz & Co.-Haze Brook, 4O4.
The amounts which the above COM
panies will pay out are estimated from
$4,000 by Kemmerer & Co to 5000 by
Markle & Co. Including the entire an
thracite region, the back pay to be re-
ceived by the mine workers on or before
June 1 next will exceed So, 500 900.
ECKLEY MEN SURPRISED.
The heads of families residing in
Eckley were given surprise yesterday.
After receiving their pay almost every
man was accosted by an agent of Coke
Bros. & Co. and presented with a bill
for coal alleged to have been picked
from the slate banks OF that town dur
ing the strike. The amounts varied
from $40 to SIS. While no threats were
made, the natural inference was that
those who refused to pay would be dis
charged from the company's employ,
and many who feared this settled the
claim rather than make stand against
the high handed demand.
While the people OF Eckley probably
have no valid claim upon the slate banks
in that town, the huge piles contain not
less than 90 per cent OF matter for which
they or former employees have been
docked, and those who avaied them
selves of the opportunity to secure fuel
during the strike felt they were doing no
wrong by their action and owe the COM
pany nothing for taking that upon
which the company has no moral claim