Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-07-31
STRIKE is BUT BEGUN.
Ishpeming and Negaunee Men Did
Not Visit the Miners as
Requested.

Negaunee, Mich, July 29.-[Special1 /
The decision of the strikers here in refus-
ing to visit the mines at the request of
their employers was a great surprise to
the citizens generally, and it would not
be wondered at if the companies would
now decline to make any further conces-
sions to the men. 1t was supposed the
strikers would at least come out and
hear what the mine officials would have
to o&er, but a large majority of them
seem TO think the move on the part of
the companies was wholly to break the
plans of the newly-organiZed Miners
union The mine officials know nothing
about the union and have thus far given
it but little consideration. While the
strikers have thus far been orderly and
well-behaved, their action with regard
to their treatment of the companies
propositions is being severely criticised.
The decision of the companies to talk
to their own men seemed to meet the
approval of those not directly concerned
in the strike, as it was certainly an inn
portant step toward bringing about Il set
Element of the difficulty.
AS the matter now stands it looks as
though the strlAe had only begun. The
men are more determined and also better
united than at any time since the strike
began. The local representatives of the
mines have urged their superior officers
that concessions be made the men, and
in several cases a raise to laborerS would
have been made August l voluntarily.
The pay Of contract miners was being
gradually increased during the last three
months. The officials here have been
greatly pleased at the excellent conduct
of the men and they have reported this
to headquarters with the request that
the very best concession possible be al
lowed for the employees. 1t is claimed
that 1t they possessed a correct knowl-
edge Of the iron ore mining business they
would have accepted the proposition of
the companies and started at work. They
are certainly tired of idleness, and some
months will be required to make up for
that which has already been lost. The
companies Of this range will more than
meet the wages of other ore districts
in this region, and while the advance will
not be as great as the men would like,
the companies say it will be all the bust
ness will warrant in paying. There is
no denying the fact that miners did bet
ter last month in all Of the mines of
1shpeming and Negaunee than at any
time in the past two years.
number of women were on guard az
the mines to see that none Of the strikers
went to confer with the officials. The
managers say their offer made on Satur>
day was their ultimatum and have or
dered the men paid off
1t is thought that the local mine Off
cials may soon meet again and decide to
present their concessions to the body of
miners as a whole.
The strikers at the Champion mine are
being paid off today with the notification
that the mine will remain closed for an
indefinite period. The Champion has
been working on the pillars. robbing the
worked out portions of the property. The
ore is of the hard variety and has to be
crushed, which adds considerably TO the
expense, and it is said the management
has had difficult time meeting expenses.
The Champion was the first hard ore
property IL this region to suspend work
some three years ago. 1t was unable to
mine ore at profit for some time before
the panic struck this section in 1898.
The strikers here are holding another big
demonstration today