The Washington times., 1903-01-05
JOHN HARKLE ACCUSES
MINERS OF BAD FAITH
Gives His Side Cf Anthracite
Controversy.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 5.-The an
swer of G. B. Markle & Co., independent
coal operators, to the demands Of the
miners was made public here yesterday
1t was submitted 10 the anthracite
strike commission, which will reassem-
bic in this city today. The statement
was written by John MarkIe, managing
partner Of the firm.
The answer says:
Between 1900 and 1902 many re-
quests were made for the correction Of
alleged grievances, which were all taken
up, considered, and acted upon: but
neither individually nor collectively,
orally or in writing. did the men make
any complaint IN reference to the meth
Cd of collecting the dues for the doctors
OF the priests; nor was our attention
called to any defect in respect to ven
tilation; nor unfair treatment at the
store; nor as TO the size Of the cars;
nor as to the slope cleaning; nor the
docking, until April, 1902; and We had
every reason to believe that taken as
whole, the men were entirely salts
| fed with the conditions of their en-
ployment
IN the course of the hearings at
Scranton complaint was made OF the
size Of the cars, but in reality the size
has not been changed, as will be proved
by the testimony of the builders. who
viii be produced. 1t was also alleged
sthat the docking was excessive. but the
accountant will testify that it was less
than per cent. Objection was made
that the full 10 per cent advance was
not given in 1900 The manner in which
/ the advance was computed was repeat
edly explained TO the men, and il ;yiIl
be shown by the expert accountant that
II was correctly calculated"
Referring to coalitions at the time Of
the strike, Mr.. Markle says:
Meanwhile 7 had been Informed that
/ the same men who had been making
/ trouble during the strike were taking
q leading part in intimIdating and
/ threatening anyone coming to the Office
+ or returning 10 work lnder the condf-
/ lions specified. On the morning OF Non
+ cay. October q, 1902, I ordered notice
! 10 give Up possession OF the houses to be
/ served upon twelve men who had been
active in preventing the men from re
sumip8 work. No attempt was made to
collect the arrears OF rent which had
accrued during the strike. The notice
10 quit having been served October 27.
| judgment in ejecrment was entered No
vemter 3, and the parties evicted No
! vemher 8. 1902.
! From the line of my first connec-
/ lion with the business, in 1880. there
have always beer a resident physician
and assistant physicians upon the prop
erty. until recently. with the exception
Of short interval The firm selected the
head physician. who chose his assist
ants. We collected 75 cents a month from
the married men and 30 cents a month
from the single men over twenty-one-
and The amount collected was paid over
10 the physician wit hOCt charge or deduc-
( ton This arrangement was not com
/ pulsory upon the men or families
Stores for the sale OF general mer-
chandise and of miners supplies have
| always been maintained upon the prop
erty. and have been and are an accom-
mediation to the men and their families
The men have never been required to
deal there"
The answer further states that the ia
Their OF the boy Chippie, who. accord
ing TO testimony before the commission.
worked for years IN vain effort to pav
of the debt of his father. was killed
as q result OF his own negligence. He
was not, Mr.. MarkIe says. indebted 10
the firm at the time Of his death. His
earnings for the previous six months
from February to July, inclusive.
amounted to 1890 Mrs. Chippie. II is de-
clared, paid nothing on account of rent
or coal.
| Attached to the answer are several ex-
Inibits. one OF which Is a statement show
ing The earnings Of contract miners dur
Ing eleven and half months. including
/ eleven OF the slightest Gamers end five Of
LIE lowest, the highest receiving s. Goa
Bears the n x-