The New York herald., 1922-03-31
MARKLE SEES MINE
THREAT TO NATION
workers Endeavoring to
Throttle American Liberty
Says Operator.
HELD HIS MEN In 1900
Biggest of Independents, Noted
for Fairness, Now Out for
Finish Fight.
HELD HIS MEN IN 1900

deavoring. to throttle that American lib
erty which our forefathcrs fought for
and won, and the American people. in
my Judgment. will never stand for It,"
This is the view OF John Marlle. presi-
dent Of the largest OF the independent
anthracite companies-the Jeddo-H High
land-put into words yesterday on the
eve of the coal strike. 1t is especially
interesting because Mr.. Markle has long
enjoyed reputation for fair dealing. In
the six weeks strike of 1900 his were
the only employees who did not stop
work. He represented the independent
operators in the commission appointed
by President Roosevelt to investigate
the strike OF 1902.
Mr.. Markle said that the anthracite
operators and retailers have on hand a
nearly two months supply of hard coal
for all purposes.
I'm Fisht to stay
He regarded the conflict as inevitable
but announced that he was "in the fight
TO stay and expected the other coal pro-
ducers to do the same" His statement
follows:
Coal prices to the consumer are too
high and must come down before living
costs can approach normal, or industrial
revival become an accomplished fact
There are three interested parties in
this controversy: First, there is the
IT,
ond. the workers who mine it and pre-
pare it for market; and, third, those
whose money, time and brains are in the
industry.
There is no excuse for continuan nee
OF war time prices in peace times. The
men are entitled to a fair wage and by
that ] mean something more than a
wage that will enable them to live ac-
cordins to American standards and to
raise their children decently. They
should receive enough to enable them to
lay aside something for old age. At the
same time. those whose fortunes and
lifetime interests are tied up in the in
dustry are also entitled to consideration.
IL Is with these three factors clearly In
mind that we intend to meet the men In
good faith and with the belief that we
VIII work out a fair agreement to the
three parties in interest.
II conditions are such that capital
cannot be induced to go into the anthra-
cite industry there will be no anthra-
cite industry for wage workers. but
capital Is not entitled i'm my opinion to
abnormal earnings in a non-competitive
market resulting from labor exactions
forced by strikes nor has capital the
right to establish lockout systems to
bring about SUCH abnormal earnings
Furthermore operators or distributors
should not be allowed to. sell their coal
st any different price than would be
obtained in competitive market.
War Conditions Reversed.
That tho public may form some idea
OF Its own as TO what coal ought to sell
for, here are some figures: The average
present selling price of anthracite coal
at the mine is $7.75 for egg. ss for
stove. sS for chestnut and 1915 for pea;
the next item to be added Is the freight
rate of s2.61 for long ton of 2,240
pounds 10 Perth Amboy to which must
be added charges for lighterage, reclean-
ing and distribution, &C., so the con-
sumer can make his own calculation as
TO the increase he has to pay in addition
TO the selling price of domestic sizes at
the mines.
I'm the public mind coal is just coal.
and people fail to distinguish the wide
difference between the two kinds of coal.
bituninous or soft coal, and anthracite
or hard coal. Working conditions, mar
keting and everything else connected
with the two kinds OF coal are just as
different as the coal itself A man with
pick and shovel and q wheelbarrow
can mine bituminous. but IL any one
came 10 me for advice az to the adj
visibility of going into the anthracite
business I would first want to know how
much money he had. The cost OF ton
of bituminous is slightly more than so
per cent. of the cost of anthracite. and
when the coal situation is being dis
cussed the particular kind OF coal in
volved should be kept clearly In mind.
increases In wages during the war
we're made from time to time as was
necessary without waiting until the end
or contracts that had been made be-
tween the anthracite operators and the
United Mine Workers. And now when
the situation is reversed and the ques-
tion is a matter OF decrease instead of
increase the United Mine Workers take
a different stand. They talk about va
cation. walkouts. suspensions and the
Ike. but by whatever name II is known
II means strike.
Government Neutral.
The Government will not take sides
IN the controversy. / have been in close
touch with the President. and the situa-
tion Is fully understood at the White
House. In public statement Attorney
General Daugherty said I am not talk
ing sides in this matter, but I wish to
make It clear that the public will be
protected The Attorney-Generai has
nlso made II plain that the Government
would not Interfere In the event of q
coal strike so long as II remained or
derly and no effort was made by the
unions 10 prevent non-union men from
working.
III protection by the proper authori-
ties is given 10 the collieries and work
crs who are willing TO work. am salts
flcd that the collierics will he in opera
ton before the present available supply
~ coal is exhausted.
II wish II we're possible 10 treat with
the United Mine Workers In the spirit
that existed between the late Chief Ar
thur OF the Brotherhood OF Locomotive
Engineers and the railway executives.
Mr.. Arthur did not proceed to open
negotiations with a biudgeon or a piece
of lead pipe. believing that he had the
power 10 shut up the industry. but met
the railway managers on a business
basis, and his requests were considered
strictly on their merits, so that he