The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-30
| FRIEND OF LABOR
Harry" Writes a Brief History of
Montana Labor Unionism.
HE'S HIGHLY COMPLIMENTARY
The Gentleman Speaks OF Trades
and Labor Organizations In
an Intelligent and Con-
sentative Way.

ing interesting article from Butte, CIV
ing a resume of labor's condition in
| Butte and the state in general
| There are few Industrial centers in
the United States that can boast of
such splendid and Thorough organiza-
lions of workingmen as Butte. She
has probably a smaller percentage of
| non-union labor in the varied trades and
| callings than any other place of equal
population in the world While this
may seem a very sweeping statement,
yet the facts will bear II out, and
those acquainted with the situation
will bear witness to it's truth. This be-
Ing essentially a mining camp, of
course the Miners union is the fore
most organization In members. The
Butte Miners union has a membership
at present of more than 1900. and IL
owns large building and has a valu-
able treasury. 1t Is the largest organi-
cation in the Western Federation of
Miners. embracing all of the mine op-
eratives or the Western states and ter
ritories, and is a leading factor in the
settlement of all disputes between 9TH
er organizations. Having at it's head
some OF the most intelligent and con-
sentative labor leaders in the North
west, IL commands the respect OF the
employers. and IL settles all difficulties
IN business-like manner. With all
OF the big mines In Butte district en-
ployfng thousands of men above and
below ground, II has been able. dur
ing the past two years of depression,
20 maintain Its wage schedules and
hours of labor with no serious Earring,
ana no sign of strike or other difficult
W II spends each year thousands of
dollars In relief for its own members
who meet misfortunes and its purse
strings are always open to calls for
In ar Mt
Next In Importance to the Miners
union. and possibly in some respects
more. Tar reaching in its work. is the
Silver Bow Trades and Labor assem-
bly,. This is a central labor body made
up OF delegates from all the labor or
CARNATIONS I'm Silver Bow county. and
Is acknowledged by all as a most pow |
erful organization. 1t, too is lavish
IN its responses to calls from others for |
AID, as witness its action in sending /
hundreds OF dollars TO aid Mr.. Debs |
and his associates In their legal fight |
against the Railway Managers asso- /
citation last fall and winter. IL num- /
bers among Its members some pro-
round students of the questions con-
corning labor. and it's weekly meet
ings are OF great benefit to the inter-
ests represented. All questions that
come before IL are carefully considered
and settled only after mature deliber-
alton. ana IL has its first failure yet
to score.
1T would be impossible in the space
at hand TO properly detail each Of the |
local organizations and so IL must suf-
nee 10 say that each skilled trade is
In Its own union. and all |
unskilled callings are so perfectly or
ganized In local assemblies OF the
knights OF Labor that non union work.
the proverbial hens teeth. The same
may be said of almost the entire state
Of Montana. Each county OF any in |
dustrial Importance has itS Central |
Trades and Labor assembly, and
everywhere the voice OF organized la
been Issued for a state convention to |
meet In Helena on May 1 TO form a |
State Trades council, and delegates !
rom all labor organizations in the |
state Will be In attendance. 1t will
De notable gathering OF laboringmen
'loser alliance OF the varied classes of
wage earners. 1870, .ia
Before passing from this branch of
ne subject. word should be said in |
,raise of the Woman's Protective | {
inion, of this city. This bodySis COM
heir own living In the various walks
4 life. and IL is doing a wonderful
mount or good. 1t sends its delegates
o the Trades and Labor assembly, and
I IL In close sympathy with all the I
abor organizations of the city Nearly '
wo years ago IL founded the Women's
nd Children's home. designed as a {
emporary refuge for women out of s
Employment and for children deprived 4
Z their natural protectors. Financial | 4
Id was freely given by the other or !
and contributions were
,ade by business men and citizens,
nd so the home has been enabled to Z
o an immense amount of good. and is i
o-day not only a credit to its project a
re-, but the city. s
There are few laws on the statute
ooks OF Montana that are of any
nect upon labor one way or another | 81
re have a state bureau of agriculture. G
lbor and statistics. but its real bene- ID
I is very much TO be doubted The |
Ist session provided for a free en-
loyment bureau or agency hut about
Il that IL has so far accomplished o.
ems to be to have provided a soft s,
zap for the officer in charge. There S
re laws providing for eight hours "
ork for stationary engineers under
rtain conditions. but the 'conditions'
em TO make the laws totally inoper- Is
i've. However. Montana is yet in her n
clothes as a state. and pre- ~
Gus legislatures seemed to have the al
Union that they had nothing to do
IT elect United States senator's Tor
v to), and much needed legislation ~
u been overlooked on that account, 81
II future sessions give promise of OF
tier work. and so patiently we wait n'
rganized labor all over the state -
kes a cheerful view of the situation.
ID while there is much room for i'm
ovement. We are conscious few states
n show as little vicious legislation as
n Montana.
Three of the largest publishing GEN.
rs In the state-Butte. Anaconda and
recently put machines In
Of their daily newspaper offices. and
is has thrown large number OF Z
lnters out of employing mt. but aside z
I'm this there has been no perceptiblc Y
ange affected by labor-saving ma
merry In the state, and IL is doubtful
the years to come will see any ma
fal Increase of such. 80 .
Taken all In all. organized labor in
'ntana has much ground for self-grat-j