The Labor enquirer., 1886-12-18
THE MARSHALL MINERS.
They Are Compelled to Strike Against
tho Tyranny OF Hooking
Valley Berry.

n SpeCldl IlcSScHSCi, EoSAt " lily y
ganized miners of Marshall to Jos. K.
Buchanan, of the Enquirer, arrived in
this city early this morning. bearing the
information that the miners who have
been working in mines Nos, 8 and of
the Marshall Coal Company since the re-
cent settlement, went on strike again
yesterday morning. Mr.. Buchanan kind
ly furnished the following facts to TEL
EGRAM reporter, as they were borne to
him by the messenger:
The men returned to work, after the
settlement of two weeks ago, with the
understanding that the scale of prices
and the manner of working then agreed
upon should not be ,disregarded or the
agreement in any manner infringed by
either party without submitting any
question which might arise to arbitra-
ton At that time the miners commit
tee called attention to the fact that Su-
perintendent Berry was very arbitrary
and oyerbearing with the men and that
it was next to impossible to get along
with him; but upon the management of
the property agreeing to look into the
charges against Berry and to protect the
workmen from any attempts of injustice
or tyranny on his part, the committee
agreed to return to work under his su-
perintendency. Another part OF the
agreement was that the old men should
not be displaced by imported machine
Fmen.
The cause of grievance this time is
that almost every clause of the compact
has either been violated or an attempt
made by Berry to violate it, A few days
ago three contractors arrived at Mar
shall from Belleville, Illinois, accompa-
MED by fifteen men, with the intention OF
taking the best entries and displacing
the miners then at work upon them.
Berry said that these three men we're
contractors" and had made deal
with the company upon the sub-contract
plan, instead of the company paying fol
getting out the coal by days wages, as
was agreed upon.
The fifteen miners from Belleville
however, upon learning the situation, re-
fused to go to work, and vowed they
would walk back before they would take
the old mems places. Berry then began
to discharge and otherwise victimize he
miners in No. S, and after going to work
at 7 o'clock yesterday morning, they
concluded to no longer submit to his
tyranny. A meeting was called in one
of the rooms and they decided to strike
At o'clock they all came out of the
mine, and were soon followed by those
at work in No. 3. There are about ninety
men out altogether, including miners
carpenters, engineers, etc., and the mine!
are closed.
Besides demanding strict compliance
with the agreement Of two weeks ago
the men now positively demand the dis
charge of Berry, and they say that if the
company will investigate and desire tc
do what is right they will discharge hin
without further ceremony.
1t seems that Berry had earned repu
tation for tyranny and meanness, in the
Hooking valley-where there was grea
trouble last year-before he came tt
Colorado, and it is stated that he wa:
driven out of that country by the out
ragged and indignant miners.
The men at Marshall seem determined
TO stand out for the discharge Of Berry
and unless the company grants wha
seems to be a justified demand, there vii
be another prolonged contest.-Denve
Evening Telegram of Wednesday.