The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-02-02

OIL hours as another VINO is working
below the level OF the sea, and whose
life is endangered every time he as
cends Or descends into the mine.
John r. Toole, who prepared the
two bills introduced by Senator Hob
son, said: Tits the purpose of these
measures to extend the eight-hour
system without destroying property or
making reduction of existing wages.
II a sweeping measure is proposed it
will injure the cause of labor as well
as capital. My position on this quei-
ton is pretty we'll known
nj. Mccormick. president of the
State Trades and Labor council, made
a strong plea for The adoption of
law that aims to protect the health
of men employed in smelters. In re-
ney, Mr.. Mccormick said that he did
not think that the labor organiza-
tons would object to extending the
time for the operation of the law re-
lating to smelters to May %, that the
unions would agree to anything that
was reasonable, and were willing to
give the smelter companies time II
adjust their affairs to the new sys-
tenn.
Charles w. Whitley, manager If
the American Smelling e Refining
company's works at East Helena, said
that if the bill is to be wide-sweep-
ing measure it will prohibit prospect
is work in the East Helena smelt-
err nnwholesome. ininring the health
of employees and interfering with the
rearing of their families?" Chairman
Courtney asked.
Putting it on family basis,
think they are in pretty good shape
Mr.. Whitley replied. II have heard
no complaints by the men,
What percentage Of the men in
your employ five years ago are still
there?" Senator Connolly asked.
Il should estimate them at at least
so per cent
F. Augustus Heinze was called for
by the chairman.
Did you ask for Mr. Heinze?" said
John Macginnis, MIR. Heinze is presi-
dent of the company of which | am
vice-president, and | shall answer any
questions the committee may ask
Mr. Macginnis said the bill would
be good for the men and would not
hurt the companies.
Chairman Courtney had stated that
the committee desired smelter men
to talk about smelters and mining
men to talk about mines, and was
obliged to do some coaXing to get
Mr.. Macginnis to expand on the sub
ject Of smelters. At length Mr.. Mac
ginnis related story about a man
who was killed by the fumes in the
calcine department Of his company.
Yes. the change would cost the
smelter companies a little more at
first said he in reply to question.
But, considering the market
valne of copper. there was never n
time in the history of the state more
appropriate for the passage of an
eight-hour law than the present, so
far as the smeter companies are con-
cerned"
Representative J. j. Quinn, the a1-
thor of the house BILL said he was bit
tery opposed to the provision in the
senate bill extending the time to May
% for the operation of the law in re-
lation to smelters to take effect.
Charles W. Clark said he did not
believe ten days or a month was sutfi-
Gent time for the smelters to obtain
skilled men to work in the smelters
after the change in hours was made
In reply to Mr.. McCormick's re-
marks that there are plenty of men in
Butte who could fill the breach now"
said Mr.. Clark II am confident that
he is mistaken. There are plenty of
men willing to work, but they are not
competent
Charles Whitley, member of the
Smelter and Millmen's union of Butte,
said that April was the day that this
union had decided upon when the
eight-hour system should take effect
in mills and smelters. He opposed
the extension of time proposed in the
senate bill, but thought that if the bill
passed the union would respect the
law and wait.
Representative C. H. Conner spoke
| in favor of the house bill.
| q