Gilpin observer., 1901-02-21


had come in from the other ranges.
and an audience of over 5000 was
packed deep all about the pavilion.
Stuart could not remember afterward
all that was said that day by himself
or the men. Eric had spoken briefly,
and then in behalf OF the union so re-
Gently formed he said that he had the
pleasure of introducing the owner of
the Champion mines, who would ad-
dress the meeting.
. Stuart had never spoken in public
except on n few occasions in college
rhetoricals. lie was no orator. and he
knew it. And yet as he rose to speak
to this outdoor gathering in position
that might have tlied many expert
enced speakers he felt a sense of relief
and a certain pleasure.
l He began at once with statement Of
his willingness to grant the men their
scale of wages.
/ "If l understand the situation" he
said, "the demand made by the con-
! tract miners is for 50 a day on account
/ of the danger of the work and because
the companies have been paying only
( S1.9O for more than year now. l be-
| lieve the companies ought to pay that
! price. l might as well say that l do
not believe you have taken the right
course to get what you want. l cannot
| sympathize with this strike. l do SYM
| pathize with your demand for 81 n
/ day"
B "How about the rest of the compa-
nies?" asked voice.
IL, oil, no low
range? What's the mind on that point?"
said another.
( 81 cannot answer for them. l am
here today to speak for myself. If the
! men who are employed in the Cham
pion mines will come back at any time
now, l will give them what they ask
for"
This statement was greeted with
cheers. but at once there followed
storm of cries from all over the park.
"All or none!'
"Union rules first!'
'1The owners must treat with the
union!'
{ "We'l never go back on terms that
shut out part!
! "Stand together. men! That's what
/ the owners does.
4 "Yes. they fixes wages. We fix they
if'-
Eric stood up and waved his hat
There was n gradual settling down of
the confusion. and as he stood there.
evidently waiting to be heard. the men
soon became quiet again. Stuart ad-
mired his control of the crowd. Eric
had great influence with il.
Brothers" he said slowly, 81 be-
lieve we have reached critical point
in this movement. Here is one of the
owners who has expressed his willing
ness to grant our demands. The Ques-
tion now is. Shall the Champion men go
back to their mines while the rest con-
tinue to deal with the other owners?
This is q question for the union to set
tie"
Eric" spoke Stuart in a low tone
as he stood close by him. "let me say
word or two more. will you? l be-
lieve the decision Of the men today
will be Il serious one, and want to do
all can to make 1t right"
Eric ut once raised his voice. "ATen.
Mr.. Duncan wants to say n word
again. am sure you will give him
careful hoariug."
AYE, that we Will"
Hes no had for Il millionalren'
GIVE him chance. He doesn't often
have it," shouted voice with touch
of irony in IL.
Stuart took advantage of the luil that
followed these and other shouts to
speak as he had never thought of doing
when he came TO the park. lie bellcv-
ed that the result of the mems action
would be exceedingly important for
themselves and himself. He had never
had such great desire to explain his
own attitude toward the whole prob
lem of labor and capital as 1t affected
him.
1t is not possible to describe his
speech. Eric thought at the time that
1t was the best speech he had ever
heard from moneyed man. At times
1t was inpassoned. then quiet and con-
.versational. 1t Is doubtful II very
many OF the miners understood II as
Stuart meant. He was in reality voic-
ing policy for the men OF money
which be nfterward- followed out with
some changes.
This much lie made clear to the men:
He sympnthized with their demands
for larger wages. while he could not
agree with their methods. and he would
do all In his power TO give them their
Just demands AS far as he was at liber-
ty to act independently. He told them
he was going to Cleveland the next'day
TO confer with the other mine owners
and would Use all his influence to get
the others to agree to the rise in wages
He repeated his offer to treat with the
thousand or more men employed in the
Champion mines at any time they
chose to return. As he closed he made
an appeal to the men TO use reason and
a..,. IND IhnA