The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-11-15
DON'T DIG FOR FUN
Irrigation Ditch Laborers Demand
Their Wages.
NO MONEY TO PAY OFF WITH
II ,nds Were Issued for Large Amount
hut up to the Presnnt Time No
Sale Has Been Made.

Ellensburg, WASH, Nov 11.-Three
hundred laborers formerly employed on
the Middle Kittitas Irrigating Co.'s
ditch are stranded here, penniless,
unpaid and dependent upon the charity
of the citizens for food. The board of d.
rectors of that company has been placed
in an unenviable position, as the men
have made all sorts of threats against
them for failing to produce the funds
for wages.
The Middle Kittttas Irrigation Com
pany was formed about eight months
ago, the purpose being to construct
ditch from Cle-Elum. on the Yakima
river, to point % miles below Ellens-
burg. in all sc miles. Bonds for $500, 900
were issued, secured by 10000 acres of
land In Kittitas valley. along the
ditch, and Clough & Graves of Spokane
undertook to float the bonds, deposit
Ing a forfeit bond of $1,000. They have
been unable to float the bonds, and from
this fact the trouble arose.
Three months ago work was started
on the ditch. upwards of 300 men being
employed at $3.50 per day and for
month all went well. There was pay
day. and as every hope was enter
tanned of securing money from the
bonds for the next payday the work con-
tinued No money, however, was forth
coming on the second payday, and the
same conditions existed at the end OF
the third month.
Contractor Costello was compelled to
order work stopped after 25 miles of
ditch had been completed, and a week
ago Friday labor ceased. The men de-
manded their money, but Costello had
exhausted all his private means and
could get no money from the company.
All hands came to town, and the
workmen, most OF whom are Swedes.
threatened Costello with dire punish
ment II they were not paid, and he had
to seek the protection of the sheriff.
The board OF directors met the Tues
day after work was stopped, and their
office was surrounded by the angry
crowd of unemployed and unpaid, who
now dropped Costello and were threat-
ening to mob the board. The board could
do nothing and the workmen went to
the mayor and asked for relief. He pro-
cured them an old barn for sleeping
quarters and food was furnished by
charitable citizens.
The directors promised the men they
would do something u couple of days
later and announced meeting. The
workmen were on hand at the appointed
time, but only three of the directors
showed up, and they were tardy. The
men hustled these three to an old black
smith shop, put guard over them and
went out in search of Costello and the
other directors, but they were not to bt
found. Finally the three prisoners were
released. after making many promises
Thursday the board had another
meeting. and agreed to personally rais'
49, 600 to pay off the men. Mill men wh'
furnished lumber, etc, are also wonder
ing when they are to be paid.
There Is considerable Indignation owe
the absence of Chief Engineer B. c
Riblet who left for Spokane tw
weeks before work stopped. He was tel
egraphed for, but the claim is made tina
, no answer was received. AS he is tn
person to pass upon the amount Q
money due the contractor and mill mer
they wanted him badly.