The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-03
At Noon To-day.

r no account TO consider in detail
l the roubles tina have been a
factor OF the past season in connection
with building operations in Butte. They
have been constant. they have multi
piled as the season has advanced.
Somehow. these more recent breaks In
building circles seem to have fed. In
part at least. on the supposition that a
political year. is a good time for pre-
cipitating them-that will prove to be
a mistaken idea.
The Standards news columns of yes
terday put the story Of the latest trou-
bles, involving two very large struc-
lures in Butte. before the public. There
appears to be no dispute as to the facts
at issue-the question is a simple one
in Its elements. II is not a dispute
about wages-these were recently
raised for the striking plasterers.
The controversy is Over the employ
ment of additional help for the more
hurried completion of the delayed
structures. The superintendent Of the
work makes a statement OF the reasons
that prompted the importation of the
extra plasterers. That statement is
hardly essential. since. as this newspa-
per understands the case. the superin-
tendent Is not called upon to apologize
to any living man or organization for
bringing to Butte needed union labor
which Is paid the union scale In Butte.
That Is the Standards assumption in
the premises; IL there's any dispute
about II. that is a point which IL Is
timely to settle to-day.
But. at any rate. the superintendent
did reci.e the motives hat governed
him-they ave not been challenged.
His recital does not alter the fact that
when the new men started at work the
old hands quit; that is to say. the com
paratively-old hands-as We under
stand IL. the large majority of the strik-
ing plasterers are quite recent corners
having no permanent interests in Butte.
The counter movement. in behalf OF
the ownership OF the property in ques-
ton. is an ultimatum. In turn. its
terms are clear. AS elsewhere de-
scribed. this ultimatum stands as orig
iidig But "a idSA sdAuiudgs WIN ~
exception that. on grounds that seemed
to have merit. the hour when its pro-
visions go into effect was changed from
s o'clock this morning till noon. The
ultimatum itself Is comprehensive In its
terms-we can see how their enforce
ment may have a very far-reaching ef-
feet.
TNkta Z. q ,.ztN. - nIG.N. IA A. a..
order for the press to have opinions.
The Standard has no hesitation what
ever in expressing its view. which is
that the attempt to shut out the new
plasterers Is wholly without warrant,
the assumption being that they are
union men getting union wages. And.
while not presuming to speak for any
body except itself. the Standard has no
doubt whatever that this view Is shared
by the great body OF Butte's citizen
ship and that the bulk OF the people of
Butte would not feel under the slightest
restraint in saying so.
BE that as 1t may. It is not at all in the
Standards mind to argue the case this
morning: IL is for those to whom the
ultimstum is addressed TO reach their
W conclusions-manifestly the other
side has fully made up Its mind. The
fat proposition TO be disposed OF. as
recited in the ultimatum. is that. as far
as the owners are concerned. the new
men shall work: that the strikers shall
say finally. at noon to-day. whether
they. too, propose 10 work; that II they
elect not 10 work the buildings will
nevertheless be pushed as rapidly as
may be To their completion, with all
considerations declared of hat hitherto
have governed the owners Of the prop
! erty in theJr dealings with the laborers
concerned.
Whichever way the case goes this
noon. several very significant questions
relating 20 building operations in Butte
Will have been definitely passed upon.
That Is well. because the recurring in
terruptlons Of recent months in build
ing operations, are, Of themselves.
an evidence Of Observation-Disclosures
that ought to be disposed Of.
Lines that have not been distinct
enough will be clearly marked. Either
, way, important precedents will be es-
tablished. And high noon to-day is as
good a time for Il as any.
-
I nE.nkDr ,rg,g.gs,, 80 soma