The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-03
RED LODGE AND BR1DGER
MINERS OUT OF WORK.
AGITATION OF STRIKES
At Red Lodge-New Arrangement
of Wages at Bridger
Causes Trouble.

The information was received here
late yesterday afternoon that the min
ers employed by the Rocky Fork Coal
company at Red Lodge and the Bridg-
er Coal company at Bridger had gone
out on a strike. AS soon rs The Gaz-
cite received the report telephone COM
munication was had with reliable par
ties in Red Lodge to ascertain the
true cause, it being run Jred that the
miners were dissatisfied with a new
scale of wages and time that mad been
adopted by the companies Wednesday,
May 1, when the new eight-hOur law
went into effect
The information that comes to The
Gazette from Red Lodge is to the ef-
feet that the mines shut down Tuesday
night, but that it was not caused by
any trouble or differences, as non
exist between the miners and the
company, nor did the eight-hour law
have anything to do with it.. This
papers authority stated it was gener-
ally believed that the shutdown was
the result of agitation and talk of a
strike, which was supposed would have
occurred had the mines opened May
/ under the new law, when it was ex-
pected the hours and wages alike
would be cut down. 1t is believed that
the company took this means to pro-
tect itself. The agitation was not
among the miners, for they were sat.
isfied with conditions and were work.
ing tremendously with the company,
but it is believed that the trouble was
caused by outsiders, who gave impetus
to idle talk.
The local manager of the company,
d. ]. O'Snea, is quoted as saying that
he expects to receive instructions
from B. F. Bush, at Roslyn, Wash,
general manager of the Northern Pa
cific Coal companies, which own the
Red Lodge mines, to post notices
under what conditions the mines will
be reopened. If the miners are sat
isfied with those conditions then the
mines will reopen. 1t is learned that
these conditions, in all probability,
will be fair to the miners.
From Red Lodge parties in the city
last night, The Gazette learned that
the above statement covered the condi-
ton as it prevails. No one seems to
know how far the matter will go, but
all are trusting a speedy settlement
will follow.
Some 500 men are thrown out of en-
ployment in Red Lodge and as the
town is kept up principally by them it
is a matter of great concern to the
merchants and others as, we'll.
Manager o'Shea's Statement.
Regarding the closing of the Rocky
Fork mines, the Carbon County Dem
ocrat of Red Lodge, which reached
Billings last night, has the follow
ing:
We have nothing to say but that
we have had instructions to stop work
for the present. We have had no diff
ference, or discussion or contention
with the men. The relations between
this company and it's employees are
and have been of the most pleasant
nature. The company is satisfied with
it's employees, and it always aims to
treat them fairly and justly.
| do not know for how long we may
be shut down. D. J. O'SHEA.
The above is the statement from the
local manager regarding the closing of
the Rocky Fork Coal company's works
this morning, throwing 500 men out
OF temporary employment. What lends
a more interesting tone to the closing
is the fact that there has been a great
deal of talk OF a strike and that today
is the LIST of May, when Tie eight-hour
law goes into effect. But the strike
agitation seems to have been more
active among those on the outside
than those directly interested. Among
the Miners union there has been no
talk of a strike. William Dick, the
secretary of the union, says:
There has been nc talk of a strike
among he officers and members of the
Miners union. There are no diff
ferences of any kind between the
union and company to cause such talk.
Our relations with the company have
been harmonious and friendly and we
have no complaint to make"
Some of the officers feel bitter to
think that, they should have been sus-
pected with starting the strike talk.
They say all the harm in that direc-
ton has been done by those on the
outside who seemed anxious by their
agitation of the question to cause
trouble.
An officer was asked if the union
would strike in case the wage were
reduced to suit the eight-hour scale.
THAT is something" said he, chat
cannot answer. We eve speculate
ahead or build bridges until we reach
the stream. It is a question which
would be considered in executive coun-
Gil after the reduction was made"
Thus the matter stands. To attempt
to state how long the works will re-
main closed would be q matter of pure
speculation. It may be a few days or