The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-03-25
The union

IN TINS clty wednesday evening Of
last week by Robert Askew, presi-
dent of the union with headquarters
at Ishpeming, Mich Unions have
also been organized in all of the Mes
aba range towns and at Tower.
Mr.. Askew is plain man and q
rather forcible speaker. His speech
was to the effect that eight hours a
day was far more advantageous to the
members Of the mine workers and
also to the owners than the present
ten-hour system. He cited eases
where this system had worked TO The.
satisfaction Of all concerned. Under
the eight-hour system the men begin
work 81 seven, have twenty minutes
for lunch at eleven and work till
three Or until their partners relieve
them. By this means only one hour
is lost out Of the twenty-four An
other change advocated by Dir. As
kew is to secure wages compatible
with tie calling and the labor per
formed. To choose their own ply
sician: to have semi-monthly pay
days: to have mine inspectors chosen
by ballot: TO secure enforcement OF
employers liability laws are other
objects sought.
The speaker also spoke at length on
the system Of miners cooperative
stores and favors a sliding scale OF
wages. He also wanted to see a sys-
TEN OF postoffice saving banks estab-
lished.
He spoke at length after which he
invited all miners to come upon the
stage and sign the membership list
Bosses, time keepers and superinten-
dents are barred.
A considerable number of his list
eners signed the roll on Wednesday
evening and meetings were held every
afternoon for the week and Sunday
and many signers We're secured until
at present membership Of nearly
400 has been secured. so we are in
formed. Officers have been ele<fea
and tie union Is no doubt a living
Institution under the utmost ban OF
secrecy.
In regards to the benefits to be de-
rived by being q member we know
nothing. in fact we are supposed to
know nothing as we were informed By
a ponderous individual who was talk
ing politics few days ago. He said
we we're too young.
The majority of those doing basi-
ness in the city. called meeting IL
the Temperance hall for Sunday even
ing to which all were invited. married
men and their wives specially. and
discussed the ACCESSIBILITY Of the eX-
istence Of labor union in this sec
tion. Speeches were made by Major
u. Burt. Captains John Pengilly and
Fl. b. Sturtevant. Mayor Vail and
Rev. E. Fl. Bull. The gentlemen
spoke from past experiences with
labor unions, all concurring in the
fact that unions have right to exist
providing they do not to the Getri-
| ment of the community in which
they play their part. The past peace
able conditions existing between cap
ital and labor in this city was dweli
upon at length by the speakers. No
trouble with strikes has ever been ex-
periecced here. THE Chandler
company" said Manager Pengilly
will pay just as high wages as any
mine in the Lake Superior district
providing the selling price OF ore war
rants the same"
The prevailing ideas of the speak
ers seemed 10 dwell on the tact thai
labor unions beget strikes. and that
as long as community has no labor
unions, strikes We're almost an inn
possibility and the speakers were OF
unanimous opinion that strikes were
worse than fire for any town. The
audience listened altentiyely an0
occasionly greeted the speakers with
music during the evening.
The Tower Journal in speaking OF
union situation at Soudan says: ~
membership OF about eighty was en-
rolled. and IL was understood that a
large number would join ut meeting
Sunday. During the week, however.
a ripple of excitement was caused by
notices posted in conspicuous places
at the mines to the effect that the
Minnesota company would not retain
members of the union i'm its employ.
President Bacon says he believes in
unions but saws he does not think