Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-05
To the Demands of the Union
Coal Miners.
Plain and Apparently Sincere State
ment from Independent Operator.
But Still the Price of Coal Is Steadily
Going Up.


assemble in this city, tomorrow. 1t
was written by John Markle, managing
partner of the firm. The statement
is in part as follows
THE present firm was formed, Dec.
30, 1889, for the purpose of mining coal
upon lands held by the firm under lease
from the Union Improvement Co. for
80 years from Jan. /, $780, and from the
Coal Co. for 80 years from
Jan. 1, 1892. The mines are situated
at or near Jeddo and the firm operates
three collieries. The firm employees
about 2400 men and many of its en-
ployes reside in the villages of Free
land and Hazelton. The lessees own
all the Improvements upon the pro-
perty, including breakers, stores, shops
and tenement houses.
From the time of my first connec-
ton with the business, in 1880, there
have always been a resident physician
upon the property until recently, with
the exception of a short interval. The
firm selected the head physician who
chose his assistants and we collected
IS cents a month from the married
men and so cents a month from the
single men over 81. The amount col
lected was paid over to the physician.
This arrangement was not compul-
sorry upon the men or families.
In the early part of 1898 my wife
employed at her own expense trained
nurse TO look after the sick, and, later,
when this nurse retired, another
nurse from st. Luke's Hospital in
Bethlehem introduced the system of
district nursing in the borough of
Jeddo and in the villages.
Stores for the sale of general mer-
chandise and of miners supplies have
always been maintained upon the
property and have been and are an ac-
commodation to the men and their
families. The men have never been re-
quired to deal there.
by the terms of the coal leases
G. B. Markle & Co. are required to
pay all the taxes upon the property.
The taxes paid by the coal operators
constitute the largest portion of the
taxes collected in the county"
Continuing, the answer says that a
sliding scale basis of labor had been
agreed upon in 1875 and had from that
time been generally in force in the
Lehigh region. In September, 1897, a
committee of miners presented certain
demands to the firm. An agreement
was then in existence between the COM
pany and the men to settle difficulties
by arbitration. The company replied
to the demands and received no further
communication from the miners. Work
at the mines continued uninterrupted
until the latter part of 1900, when John
Mitchell made his headquarters at
Haxelton and endeavored to organize
the Markle employees.
In September, 1900, another list OF
grievances was furnished the firm, the
company's answer being that if the
men were not satisfied with the reply
the officials would be willing to arbi-
trate. The next communication from
the men demanded arbitration, but the
committee selected by the employers
replied that the latter had broken their
agreement with the company by strik-
ing before their grievances had been
submitted to arbitration.
Finally, on Oct. Y, 1900, committee
of the men applied to the firm for an
adjustment of the difficulties. This
was accomplished, Oct 29, and work
was resumed at the mines.
Between 1900 and 1902 many requests
were made for the correction of alleged
grievances which were all taken up and
considered and acted upon; but not either
| individually or collectively, orally or in
writing, did the men make any complaint
| in reference to the method Of collecting
| the dues for the doctors or priests; nor
| was orr attention called to any defect in
respect to ventilation; or unfair treat
ment at the store; nor as to the size OF
the cars; nor as to the slope cleaning, or
the docking until April, 1902; and we had
every reason to believe that, taken as d
| whole, the men were entirely satisfied
with the conditions of their employment
| ..In the course of the hearings at Scran-
| ton complaint was made of the sizes OF
the cars. but in reality the size has not
been changed, as will be proved by the
testimony of the builders, who will be
produced. 1t also alleged that the dock
ing was excessive, but the accountant viii
testify that it was less than per cent
Objection was also made that the full II
per cent. advance was not given. The
| manner in which the advance was COM
puted was repeatedly explained to the
men. and it will be shown by the expert
accountant that it was correctly calca-
lated
Referring to the appointment of the
commission, Mr.. Markle said:
| "As we had not been parties to the cor
| respondence under which the anthracite
strike commission was appointed and the
| strike declared off. we were not willing
| to permit our men to return to work
without a distinct understanding that
| they would abide by the award to 70.
made by the commission. Notice was ac-
cordingly posted that those whiting t.
secure employment should call at the Of
flee and should bring with ,, them .t the bras:
check which they held When this notice
was posted we were informed that some
Of the. men objected upon the e, g gro u
bndv and the remainder was started Il
the effect that they would be REQUIRED red. e
| tion of going to work Many of the no
tees were torn down piessets were st;.
along the lines of the road to prevent tx
men from coming to the office where they