The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-06
COREY AND HIS MEN.
He Attributes the Trouble at
the Mines to One Man.
Why A CONTRACT IS WANTED.
He Denies That He Is Opposed TO
white Labor-Explains the incidents
Leading Up to the Strike.

SUPERINTENDENT D 1blts O. 49,
/ yesterday and stated that fifty white men would
70 70 work this morning At Newcastle. lie has
secured that number from among those VINO
had responded 10 bis three notices 70 al " no
had given satisfaction TO go to work. he pnss
the blame for the whole trouble on Frank Ter
race for going back on his word He said fna'
II the miners had kept faith. but found the
agreement did not work well, no great nsr m
would have been done, and differences could DC
adjusted, but when such fragrant bad faith was
shown, 1t was too great risk
He was asked how Il was these hfty men nao
trusted him, as 30 much had been sad about his
deceiving the miners In the past.
"My answer to the accusation is that have
never deceived the men at Newcastle until they
began to deceive me, and 1t became matter OF
seli-protection 70 conceal the means TO De taken
IN reach remedy for the incessant efforts of the
miners TO extend their control A concession
was made by the company only to be followed
by demands for another.
ssThe troubles began before / came TO the
camp. They originated in q warfare between
the men themselves. Two years ago number
Of men had been discharged for taking a
leading part in the riots, and among them
were Frank Terrace and p. S. wilkes They
were replaced by other men belonging TO the
miners union Things went on peaceably Tor
while, but the company was in their power en-
tirely. The most serious trouble was that, no
matter how incompetent or careless man was
or became we conld not discharge him witnout
having strike on our hands. One very notaole
instance was that of man whose mind was IN
sound, and we did not think il safe 20 have MIN
where so much damage 10 Life, to say nothing OF
property could be done in a moment Still. the
committee insisted upon bis being employed
The company gave in rather than stop the
mines.
another thing is they refused to allow us to
make contracts for work IN the mines even out
side the regular routine OF work. They put
men TO work in the mines without consulting
the pit boss, and charged for them in their own
time. We were unable TO keep block OF coal
on hand: il was impossible to make contracts
for any regula supply, and were, therefore, not
only at the mercy of the men, but of the outside
market.
.sIn January q committee of the knights OF
Labor, consisting of Frank Terrace, p. :. Wilkes,
Andrew Reynolds and Devine, came to me and
declared they were duly authorized delegation
TO see what arrangement could be made TO re-
employ the men discharged two years previous,
among whom were two OF this committee They
had just organized new lodge, and they said
they saw was having considerable trouble. and
they promised If l would take them back again
and discharge men they would name. especially
Penman, they would guarantee l should have
no further trouble.
but am compelled to now. It is that the CON-
mittee offered 10 take of the Is per cent that
had been insisted upon the previous fall, and
assented TO by the company, although neither
the market nor any other condition had justified
the demand. ] AZ the same time submitted TO
them miners contract. the same as used at
Roslyn, and told them that would expect them
20 sign IL OF course made q change. wanted
20 have some security that the new arrange
ment would last. told the committee not to
act hastily, but to consider it. and if they agreed
j would accept their proposition. because
j was tired OF the constant strug-
gle. / told them to take il and
study over it for q week, and if they wanted it
modified we could talk over the matter. About
ten days afterward they came back and objected
10 two clauses. l was willing to give in as 70
one, but the other, reserying the right of the
company TO hire and discharge, I would not
change. We finally agreed upon all the points,
except that added. at their request, in rule 6
a provision that in hiring the terms should mot
be in conflict with the body of the contract
Terrace then asked that they should not be
compelled TO sign the agreement, for the reason
that their agreeing to accept a Is per cent re-
duction becoming known TO other labor organ
izations, they would be, as they thought,
placed in bad light. They said
every labor organization on the coast would
consider them blacklegs. Frank Terrace offered,
however, TO enter into bond of s. 900 that he
would carry out his agreement il / carried out
mine. told them would trust altogether TO
their honor. When they left it was fully under
stood, and also on several other occasions when
II was talked over.
al carried out my part and put IN Knights of
labor, discharging seventy odd men, evieting a
number from their houses at the demand OF this
body. Three of the committee came 10 me on
March 50 and said had carried out my part in
good faith. and they had done so up to that
time, but we're unable TO do il any farther.
was given TO understand that the labor unions
objected 70 the agreement
IL demanded that good faith be kept with me-
They said they would hold meeting that night
and vote on the matter, and they notified me
afterwards that they would not sign the con-
tracts. on Wednesday night following, April /,
j was invited TO attend a meeting of miners and
one of the committee, Z. :. Wilkes, then aud
there got up and stated just what the agreement
wss Frank Terrace aud Devine denied Ii in
toto. Andrew Reynolds was not present. but
next day signed the contract to show his good
fsith-an act which showed considerable cour-
age, ia face of the fact that he knew the others
would make it unpleasant for him
''You can imagine how felt when found
hsd been fooled. ! sought then 10 find out upon
what sort Of 8 basis the men were willing 10
work They answered that II any man was dis
tion-not by combined committee, but prscti-
csily by themselves, rs a committee of Knights
ri Labor. then asked them few questions.
he most significant Of which will give VOL,
copies OF, with the answers;
"If a man is discharged. asked, how long
before he will vacate and give up the KEYS "a
his houseT The committee answered. The
laws of the state have provided for such cases
asked; What scale OF wages do YOU propose
20 work upon, and how long They repliei
sThe sliding scale ! answered. i know al M
sliding scale. How can we make contracts for
our coal when no definite time is stated
that this agreement shall hold good They "a.
ferred 10 their offer not to strike without ten
DAYS notice. told them that was the same a.
a ten days contract only. aud we could not do
business on that principle; we cannot make
contracts TO deliver Goa, and in fact il bars u.
out of the market To this The committee re
piled, CURLY: seeing that our eSorts ~ sfee;
settlement have failed, after today 1t yviu he
necessary for the persons entering into negoiia
lions ON the part of the company TO deal Directs
with the executive board Knights of labor in
Seattle
II did not give mp trying, however. / yrot,
acknowledging the letter and replying as fol
lows:
You have not stated what rates you cxrec-
the coming year, and not n rate has been nsnse.i
nor can we arrive AZ sny dehuitS or satisfactory
eSttASAAt1AA NAkAt tASES ~ n clear anu distinct
arrangement, as IL win enable US to kuoN under
what conditions we are working
Nou have refused - make any rcply to some
OF my tnterrcgauons. and until / can Know tbs
basis You PROPOSE 20 work under there is nc
possible chance 20 come q al amicahla settle.
nlenI There must &c 8 thorough understand.
iag IN regard 10 the time the agreement extends
rate of wages, etc.
They made no reply, and seeing that all my
eaoEts to bring about all amicable settlement,
were useless. aud the company was in lust the
tame bad nx rs before, / left Newcastle aad
nla.a AIranCeannts 20 co Eat .ttcr 49,.