The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-27
MARKLE'S men TESTIFY
CLAIMS AND CHARGES OF TNDEPEND-
ENT OPERATORS ARE HEARD.
superintendent Sidney williams and
Others Before the Anthracite Coal
Strike Commission.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 26.-The attention
of the anthracite coal strike commission
was to-day directed to the claims and
charges of the independent operators, the
first case presented being that of G.. B.
Markle e. Co., whose collieries are located
in and about Jeddo, in the Lehigh region.
Ten witnesses for the company were ex-
amined. the more important being Sidney
Williams, general superintendent of the
firm, Gertrude Martin, a professional nurse
in the employ of the company. and Frank
Walk, a general storekeeper at Jeddo.
Superintendent Williams's testimony was
based upon the company's answer to the
miners demands. He was subjected to
rigid cress-examination by Attorney OAR
row. He said that, although thirteen men
were refused unemployment by the COM
pany for alleged criminal acts during the
recent strike. he had no knowledge that
any of them had ever been guilty of
criminal action.
Miss Martin told Of the efforts of Mr.. and
Mrs. Markle to care for the sick employees.
and said that where cases of necessity
were discovered patients were furnished
with medicines and nourishing food free of
charge.
Frank Walk described the operations of
the company store system. The prices of
articles. he said, were about the same as
those charged by other dealers, but admit
ted that none but employees were given
credit. He said that after the company
store system had been abolished and he had
resorted to the cash basis he lost two
thirds of his customers.
Samuel Dickson, counsel for the company,
sprang surprise upon the opposing coun-
sci at the morning session by requesting
the commission to summon 20 the stand
u. J. Mccarthy, of Hazleton. one of the
miners attorneys. Dickson said he desired
to question Mccarthy concerning the evic-
also regarding a statement he had made
before the commission at Scranton. Nc
earthly demurred for the reason that what
ever knowledge he might possess to the
evictions had been secured by him as coun-
sci for the former tenants. Upon Dick
sons assurance that he would not attempt
to lead the witness into any unprofessional
act or statement, Mccarthy took the stand
He was asked when he had first heard of
the eviction notices served by the Markle
company to twelve tenants to which he
replied that all his information in this con-
nection was secured as attorney, as all
of the evicted men brought the notices to
him and retained him as cpunsel:
On cross-examination the witness said
the evicted men had been elected without
notice.
Chairman Gray asked if the men had re-
celVeQ copies Oh the ledSeS from the cOIu-
pany and witness replied in the negative.
These leases are commonly known as
Cut-throat agreements are they not?" in
terjected Attorney Brumm.
YES" said the witness.
Frank Walk, of Jeddo, a general store
keeper. testified that up to 1890. ninety per
cent. of the employees of the Markle COM
pany had dealt at his store. The credit
system, he said was discontinued in July,
1901 1t had never been obligatory upon
the employees of the company TO deal with
them, but his prices compared favorably
with those of other stores and he did a
| good business. The funeral fund was COL
| lected through his store. he said.
Before you gave credit" said Attorney
| Mccarthy, "a man was compelled TO pledge
| his salary to you. was he not?"
mo; he signed an agreement authorizing
| the deduction from his wages of the
| amount of his purchase"
DR.. VIM. III. Deardoff told of the COM
pany doctor system and Gottlieb Filler, a
| coal and iron policeman, said the evicted
| men, so far as he knew, were lawabiding
citizens.