The Western news. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1890-1977, 1900-06-27
HAS COME TO STAY
Eight-Hour Movement, Says Secretary
of State Hogan, Can
not Be Downed
It Meets With Great Favor.
Will Probably Extend to Other Inn
portant Camps in the State -Ru-
NOR That Analgamated Company
Had Refused Request Not Fully
Confirmed.

Confirmed.
From Helena independent
Secretary of State Thomas S. Ho-
gan,who returned from Butte and other
westside points late Thursday night,
believes that the eight-hour shift
movement inaugurated by Senator
William A. Clark and F. Augustus
Heinze in the Smoky city has come to
stay. In his opinion it is certain to
spread TO every camp in the important
mining districts in the state where min
ing is profitable business.
1t was reported yesterday that the
Amalgamated interests had sent word
to the miners union, committee that
they could not comply with the request
for an eight-hour shift in the niues of
Butte, but Secretary Hogan could not !.
confirm the report.
II heard the runlor in Butte" he
said at his home, 'e1s Broadway, last
| night, ''but ann inclined to believe
that there is nothing definite known
yet as to the intentions of the Anal
gamated people. It was rumored ih
Butte that John O'Neil, superintendent
of the Anaconda properties, had noti-
| fed the committee that his mines could
n OF grant the request for shorter
shift, but I was with Ed Boyce, presi-
dent of the miners union, during
much of my stay in Butte, and he had
not been advised as to the Anaconda
company's decision" !;
"How is the movement regarded in
Butter" Secretary of State Hogan was
asked.
That it is a popular movement goes
without saying" he replied. ;. 'It is not
alone the men who are directly effect
ed that approve the change, but l may
say that it is generally looked upon
with favor. The mining industry in
Butte was never in such good condi-
tion as now, and mine owners can
we'll afford to grant shorter working
day to the men who mako the profits
possible. Mining in Butte or in any
old established camp is yearly becom-
ing more trying and more hazardous
to the men employed underground,
and it no more than right that Ibis
fact should be taken into considerat& n
when the wage scale is fixed. Every
one knows, too, that copper mining
with present prices is immensely prof.
table, and there is certainly every rea-
son why these men should share, to
some degree, these great returns on
the capital invested. In my own opin-
ion an eight hour day is long enough
for any man employed under ground,
no matter whether in a deep working
or within few feet of the surface.''.
Mr.. Hogan said that it was estinlat-
ed that between 100 and 1,20O men
were now receiving the benefit of tho
new eight hour shift rule. There are
about 5000 men employed under
ground in Butte alone. He thought
the new movement if generally adopt
ed, would not greatly effect the OUT
put of the mines of the copper camp.
"What would be the probable result
if the Amalgamated interests should
refuse to grant the eight hour shift"
Secretary Hogan was asked.
II know no more about that than
any one else," he replied. 81 believe,
however, that refusal would result in
more or less friction with the men
it is natural to suppose that it would.
There might even be clash. How
ever have not heard that possibility
discussed.
SIN the event Of clash, would the
union win?" Mr.. Hogan was asked.
f ut would SO far as Butte is concern
ed" he replied. "Thc people would
be with the miners, if any such move
ment became necessary"
"Do you believe the movement will
succeed?",Secretary Hogan was ask
ed.
II believe it WILL" he answered.
"In my opinion it will extend to all
other important camps in the state
where mining is profitable industry.
1t is not likely to be adopted in silver
camps, where, because, Of the low price
, of the white metal mining is carried
an only under difficulties, but in other
: districts believe it will eventually
: be put into effect. It is my opinion
> that Butte is destined to enjoy an
eight hoar day in all it's mines event
ually, and that the present movement
is but the beginning"