FREELAND TRIBUNE. VOL XV. NO. 73 CHRISTMAS BUYERS Should not overlook our store when seeking something suitable for presents for their relatives or friends. Nothing will be better appreciated this year than Something Serviceable, and that is what you will find if you look over our stock of Cloth ing, Furnishings, Hats, Shoes, Dry Goods, Notions, etc. Prices are low just now. JOHN SHIGO, 114 South Centre Street. ORION STROH, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW and NOTARY PUBLIC. Office: Booms 1 and 2, Birkbeck Brick, Freeland QEORGE MCLAUGHLIN, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. Legal Business of Any Description. Brennan's Building, So. Centre St. Freeland. J. O'DONNELL, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. Campbell Building, - Freeland. White Haven Office, Kane Building, Opposite Postoffioe; Tuesdays, Saturdays. JOHN J. McBREARTY, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. Legal Business of every description. Fire Insurance, and Conveyancing given prompt attention. McAiouamin Building, South Centre Street. A. BUCKLEY, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. AH business given prompt attention. Tribune Building, • • Main Street N. MALEY, DENTIST. OVER BIUKBECK'S STORE, Beoond Floor, - - Birkbeck Brick JY2 RS - E - HAYES, FIRE INSURANCE AGENT. Washington Street. None but reliable companies represented. Also agent for the celebrated high-grade Pianos of Hazelton Bros., New York city. S. S. HESS, DENTIST. North Centre Street. Bell Telephone. Second Floor, - P. O. S. of A. Buildinp. CTJRRIT'S Groceries, Provisions, Green Truck, Dry Goods and Notions are among the finest sold in Freeland. Send a sam ple order and try them. E, J.Cnrry, Sonth Centre Street. NOVELTIES IN Every holiday season finds Mer kt's store with the largest and pret tiest lines of Toys in town. This year the assortment is more com plete than ever. If you don't know what to buy for the children, come to us and we will show you just what will please them. No other dealer can offer you prices as low as our goods are marked, and nowhere else can so lrrge a stock be found. We have two large store-rooms stocked from floor to ceiling with Toys, Novelties, Candy, Confec tionery, Fruits, Nuts, Smokers' Supplies, etc. M. MERKT, Centre Street, Freeland. FREELAND, PA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1902. SHOCKED BY CHILD LABOR Strike Commission Urges Legislative Action. President of American Fed eration of Labor Accuses the Operators of Bringing Foreigners to the Mines. Chairman Gray opened yesterday's proceedings of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission by saying that the commissioners were impressed with the spectacle of the little girls who were before the commission the previous day and testified that they worked all night. He said the people of the community and citizens of the commonwealth should not let the incident pass without taking some steps to have the legis lature of Pennsylvania seriously con sidet the enactment of a law that will forbid the employment of children at night. Several little girls, daughters of min ers, were placed on the witness stand on Monday and told how they were compelled to work all night in silk mills for scanty wages. Annie Denks, 13 years old, said she worked at night from 030 p. m. until G 30 In the morning. She had to stand up all night during her work and received 65 ceuts a night. When the girl said she was employed at night every member of the commis sion seemed to be shocked. The miners sprang a surprise yester day on the operators by presenting an individual operator on the witness stand. He is John C. Haddock, of Wilkesbarre, president of the Plymouth Coal Com pany. Mr. Haddock said he had been in the coal business thirty-five years. His company operates the Black Dia mond and Dodson mines, near Wilkes barre. He explained that tho miner's ton, which runs from 2,700 to 3,200 pounds, was fixed years ago, so that the employer could get out of tho ton 2,240 pounds of pure coal above the size of pea. Pea coal and all sizes below that were "waste." This waste is now being utilized. Regarding the prices of coal, Mr. Haddock said middlemen in New York are now paying sll and sl2 a ton. Mr. Haddock said that he believed in the combination of capital and of labor. He looked upon the organization of labor as a necessity, and ho had no ob jection to dealing with labor unions, if properly conducted. Ho believed that the mine workers, because of the good market for coal, were justified in asking for an Increase in wages. The witness said he favored, before the strike, mak ing a concession to the men under cer tain conditions. He had no objection to eight hours for the miners, and favored nine hours for other classes of mine workers. President Samuel Gorapers, of the American Federation of Labor, testified as an expert on the trade union move ment. Regarding trade agreements, Mr. Gompers said they have always been advantageous to both the workman and his employer. Chairman Gray, who Is taking an es pecial interest in boycotts, asked Mr. Gompers what he thought of such methods. The witness said he would boycott any person who is unfair to his workmen, hut would not boycott a man who chooses to do business with the per son who Is boycotted. The questiou of the recognition of unions was then taken up, and Mr. Gompers said that employers made a mistake when they refused to recognize organized labor. The employer, ho said, has no moral right to refuse to confer with a committee of his em ployes. In reply to Bishop Spalding Mr. Gompers said he would not favor incorporating a union. Mr. Gompers was cross-examined by James Torrey, counsel of the Delaware and Hudson Company, who asked the witness If he did not believe that mem bers of the United Mine Workers of America should be 21 years of age and able to read and write before they are admitted to membership in the union. To this the witness replied: "Yes, ten years from now, and when the com panies stop bringing Illiterate foreigners to this country. They are brought here by the companies, and the labor union inusi protect them and see that they get their rights." When one of the lawyers for the coal companies asked him if he knew it from personal knowledge, he said he could prove it if necessary. The miners made another attempt to have the commission admit as evidence a large mass of testimony tending to show that the anthracite coal carrying roads charge extortionate and discrim inating freight rates, and that a mo nopoly exists in the industry which keeps tho wages of men at an unaturally low level. Tho Commission decided that the evidence must be limited to the scope of the commission. It was announced by the commission that when it would adjourn for the Christmas holidays, probably on Satur day, it will be to moot In Philadelphia on the first Monday In January. Sale of Land for Taxes. On Monday, December 29, the county commissioners will hold a sale of seated and unseated lands, the cause of the sale being unpaid taxes. Properties In almost every town and township in the county will be sold to the highest bid ders. Many of them are Improved with houses or other buildings. Al though deeds are given by the commis sioners to the purchasers, many of them are valueless, being made so by defec tive titles, double assessments and other The unseated lands are located In Buck, Bear Creek, Black Creek, Butler, Conyngham, Dorrance, Fairiuount, Fos ter, Hanover, Hazle, Hollenback, Hunt ington, Lake, Pittstou, Ross, Salem, Sugarloaf, Union and Wright townships. In Buck township alone over 3,000 acres will be sold. The seated lands are located in al most every town and township In the county, there being forty properties In Freeland and sixty-four in Foster town ship. Mitchell Welcomed Home. John Mitchell was given a warm wel come upon his return to his old home in Spring Valley, 111. Tho town observed the day as a general holiday and busi ness was suspended in his honor. It is estimated that 3,000 unionists and citi zens took part in the parade that escort ed the labor leader from the train through the principal streets. The feature of tho program was the presentation of two sets of reso lutions, one by citizens and labor organi zations of Spring Valley, and the other by the Peru Trades and Labor Council. The former was engraved on a large silver tray, part of a set of five pieces presented to President Mitchell. The latter resolutions were embossed on aluminum and incased in a massive frame. A meeting was held in the even ing and was addressed by several noted labor leaders. Judges Cannot Agree. President Judge Heydt, in the Carbon county court, has handed down a deci sion granting the application for a change of venue In the case In which Harry McElmoyleand George Ronomus, coal and iron policemen, are charged with the murder of Patrick Sharp, a striker, who was shot and killed at Nes quehoning on August 18. Judge Heydt recommends that the case be tried in Lehigh county. Associate Judge George Embody dis sonts from Judge Heydt's decision. The question as to whether the decision will stand now depends upon Associate Judge Williams, who has not as yet handed down his decision. The change of venue Is asked for on the ground that tho prejudice against the mine guards is so strong in Carbon county that a fair trial is Impossible. Contract Declared Void. Among the opinions handed down by Judge Halsey this week was one declar ed void the contract entered into by the borough council of Nanticoke and the People's Light and Power Company. Tho plaintiff 1 in the proceeding is John O. Davis, who alleged that the contract had been entered into without the con sent or approval of Burgess Williams. Under the decision of the court the con tract will now have to be approved by the burgess or a new contract for the public lighting will have to be entered into. The First, as Usual. The Tribune has received a copy of the 1903 almanac of the Philadelphia Record. As usual, it is the first of the newspaper year-books to be distributed, and is, as In the past, filled from cover to cover with useful information. Every question of general interest Is given a place In Its contents, and the statistical matter it contains makes it a valuable desk-book In every office and business establishment. Lehigh Valley Calendar for 1903. The usual fine steel-plate engraved work Is continued In the Lehigh Valley Railroad's calendar for 1903. Those cal endars are becoming exceedingly popular all over the country, as they are high class in workmanship and design, and an acceptable ornament to any ofiice or house. One may be obtained by mail ing 4 cents in stamps to the passenger department of the road in New York. "Minnesota's Best" flour is sold by A, Oswald. There is none better made. ROUND THE REGION QTho jury in tho case of Mrs. Rnsanna I Clarke, of Ashley, vs. the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company returned a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding her SI,OOO damages. She was a passenger on a Lehigh Valley train in 1890 and receiv ed injuries in the wreck which occurred near Fond Creek. The case was tried once before, but owing to a remark made by plaintiff's counsel, in his clos ing address, a juror wa9 withdrawn and the case continued. The company has given notice that a new trial will bo asked. Factory Inspector Campbell, when asked at Harrisburg about the testimony taken by the commission in Scr&nton, where children under the legal age tes tified that they worked all night, said: "I have no doubt that they told the truth and I have wired E. W. Bishop, the deputy in the Scranton district, to investigate the matter at one and report as soon as possible." Regret for his recent plea of guilt in a murder case won't save Michael Yush kiss from the ppnalty. Judge Halsey has decided that the. court could not reconsider Yushklss' plea of guilty in killing Daniel Sweeney, although an accomplice of the prlslotier has since been acquitted of the crime. It is on the docket as a second degree case, and so it will stand. John Maczys, editor of the leading Lithuanian paper In the county, the Plymouth Vienbye Lletuyninku, died suddenly at the office of his physician. Deceased went to the doctor's office to visit and was suddenly attacked with heart disease and fell dead. lie had been suffering with consumption for some time. Jacob Showers, an herb doctor, spent some time In tho infected districts of Schuylkill county selling his medicines, and on his return to Pottsville developed smallpox. The health authorities have opened a municipal hospital. William Chapman, who was dispatch ed from England in 1842 by Sir John Francis to prospect for slate and who discovered the famous slate belt in Pennsylvania, died at Bethlehom after a brief illness of pneumonia. The annual convention of the United Mine Workers of District 9, comprising the Schuylkill field, is in session at Minersville. Production of Coal. The total production of anthracite coal this year will amount to only about 31,000,000 tons, as compared with 53,- 500,000 tons in 1901. This is a smaller output of anthracite coal product pro duced during any year since 1884, when the production amounted to 30,718,000 tons. The production during November amounted to 4,984,384 tons, as com pared with 4,697.339 tons In November, 1901. The total production for tho eleven months of tills year amounted to 26,101,459 tons, as compared with 49,- 945.148 tons during the same period of 1901. Tho following table shows tho number of tons of coal each railroad company shipped during November: Railroads. 1903, 1901. Reading 905,183 976,013 Lehigh Valley 769.433 778,160 Jersey Central 637,070 450,437 I). L. & W 838,160 704,445 Delaware and Hudson . 511,370 415,753 Pennsylvania 311,755 447,975 Erie 703,463 463,803 Ontario and Western,. 363,105 338,976 D. S. & S 56,947 123,767 Total 4,984,384 4,697,339 Fight Declared Off. During the past two days excitement was at fever heat over a proposed boxing contest scheduled for last night in Mt. Carmel opera houie between Darby Mc- Donald, a local man, and Charles Mul ball, of Philadelphia. The ministers made the bout a subject for their ser mons on Sunday, and Monday evening a mass-meeting was held In the Metho dist church, at which action to stop the. fight was taken. Not until late yes terday afternoon did the managers of the affair decide to give it up, and then Mulhall, who had been in town only a few hours, returned to Philadelphia. The ministers and a committee from the churches were on guard at the opera house all evening. It being their intention to attend and bring legal pro ceedings as soon as tho affair was over. It was to be a fifteen-round contest, a doclson to bo givot). Several hundred strangors were diaappainted as a result of the action. Mulhall is well known to local sports, having fought here on August 17, 1901, with "Kid"' Ferry, of Allentown. In that bout he lost the decision ou a foul. Watch the date on your paper. LOCAL NOTES WRITTEN UP Short Items of Interest to All Readers. Happenings of the Past Two Days in and Around Freeland Recorded With out Waste of Words. The members of Division 19, A. O FL, to the number of over 150, held an in teresting meeting at the Grand opera house hall last evening. Several can didates were Initiated into the order, and after the regular business was transacted an entertaining program, consisting of songs, recitations and ad dresses, was rendered. Cigars, refresh ments and eatables assisted In making the evening a pleasant one for those in attendance. Michael DePierro, an aged resident of town, sustained a broken arm yesterday by falling on a slippery sidewalk. The victim was taken to his home at the corner of Centre and Front streets, where his injuries were found to con slst of two fractures of the right arm above the wrist. Spfilman Riggs, humorous lecturer and musical impersonator, entertained a fair-sized audience at the Grand opera house last evening. The next num ber of the M & M. course of entertain ments is the YVesleyan Male Quartette and Houston, which comes on January 31. The Wilkesbarre Monarchs will try to wrest victory from the Freeland Cres cents in a game of basket ball this even ing at Krell's hall. Both teams are well prepared, and as the game Is becoming popular a large audience is expected to attend. Condy O'Donnell, of Main street, has been appointed by the Young Men's C. T. A. B. Corps as janitor of the Grand opera house building. Mr. O'Donnell served for two years in a similar capacity at the Municipal build ing. Mrs. Harry Argust, who entered a Philadelphia hospital for treatment last week, has returned to her home in Up per Lehigh. She will probably undergo treatment at the Miners hospital some tine in the near feature. The item Is this column on Monday announcing the marriage of George Mil ler and Miss Gertie Klose, of Upper Le high, should have read engagement. The young couple will marry on the first of next month. A consignment of clothing received from the West has been distributed by the officers of District 7 among the un employed men of Coxe Bros. & Co. at Stockton. The condition of Mrs. Patrick Mc- Fadden, of South Ceutre street, who Is ill with pneumonia, is critical and her physicians have poor hopes of her re covery. The Good Will Athletic Association is preparing a fine program for the club's annual entertainment on Christmas evening. The monthly salaries of the borough school board's employes, amounting to $805.94, wore paid today. PLEASURE. December 25.—Annual entertainment under the auspices of the Good Will Athletic Association at the Grand opera house. Admission, 10, 15 and 25 cents. December 31.—Fourteenth annual ball of the Tigers Athletic Club at Krell's hall. Admission, 50 cents. Famous Tigersßall. It is the unanimous verdict of the people of the Lehigh re gion that the balls held by the Tigers Athletic Club, of Free land, have been the best, the biggest and the most success ful social affairs conducted in the anthracite coal fields. On Wednesday Evening, December 31. this noted organization will hold its fourteenth annual ball. The Tigers invite you to be come their guest on this occa sion, and, as in previous years, they will exert every effort and utilize every opportunity at their command to make your visit one of the most pleasant events of your life. TRI-WEEKLY McMENAM I N'S South Centre Street USEFUL GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS An inexhaustive exhibit of re membrances that appeal to the eye and bring pleasure and comfort to the recipient can be seen here. If you will come to our store at once you will find suggestions enough to satisfy the most exacting. Every article we sell contains full value for the price paid. Fancy Neckwear— The prettiest and largest selec tion of Four-in-Hands, Imperials, Bows, and Tecks in town, in plain white and plain black silks, also all the newest fancy colors in Ties, are now on sale at 25c. Come and see our new 50c holi day Neckwear. The prettiest Ties that we've ever shown; all shapes, all colors, all styles, 50c. Men's Furnishings— Xmas Suspenders from 25c up ward. Xmas Socks from 25c upward. Xmas Shirts from 50c upward. Xmas Silk Mufflers, from 50c upward. Xmas Sweaters from 50c upward. Slippers and Shoes— This store's collection of Christ mas Slippers is exceptional. The positive price savings to be had here makes a buyer of you at once. In the line of Shoes we have everything that could be desired, and when making your presents don't forget that a Pair of Shoes is one of the most acceptable articles you can offer. Stylish Hats— Headwear should interest you. It's important that you have a new Hat for Christmas. All of the season's latest shapes now on sale. McMENAM I N'S South Centre Street Our Great Annual SALE OF DOLLS! We are sure the variety could not bo greater, for we have purchased all the worthy kinds to be found in the world's markets. Every Doll you see here is rosy, robust, radient, absolutely free from flaws and defects. We have no cripples. Dolls with scratched cheeks, scarred ears or fract ured legs are not admitted. They are ideal in form and features. Some undressed and others dressed in every style the most whimsical child could desire. We have made some remarkably low prices—about oue thind less than you pay elsewhere. Toys of All Kinds Aro here In abundance, all going at the lowest possible prices. Do not make your Chlstnias purchases until yon see our assortment. Fruits, Nuts and High-Class Confec tionery and Candy at LAUBACH'S -A-. dealer In Dry Goods, Notions, Groceries and Provisions. FRESH ROLL AND Creamery Butter Always in Stock. Minnesota's Best Patent Flour A Specialty. EVERY ARTICLE GUARANTEED. N. W. Cor. Centre and Front Sts. % Freeland. T. CAMPBELL, dealer In Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots and Shoes. Also PURE WINES h LIQUORS FOR FAMILY AND MKVICINAL PURPOSES. Centre and Main streets. Freolnnd. Condy 0. Boyle, dealer In LIQUOR, WINE, BEER, PORTER, ETC. The finest brands of Domestic and Imported Whiskey on sale. Fresh Freoland Deer, Porter and Ale on tap. 1)8 Centre street. Wm. Wehrman, •WATCHMAKER Centre street, Freoland. REPAIRING. OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers