The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-04-22
ROCKY FORK MINERS WIN FRUIT.
LESS VICTORY.
WEIGH REvOKES HIS ORDER
Company Declines to Resume Work.
Walk Out Cost. Men
Their Places.
Fridays Daily Gazette.


strike, conditions at Red Lodge have
not changed and the mines are still
closed down, with the prospect of re-
naming so for an indefinite time.
The men have had their way and now
the company is exercising its rights
and privileges along the same direc-
ton.
Last Wednesday q committee of the
strikers was at Helena and had a con-
ference with the state coal mine in
spector, the result Of which was high
ly satisfactory to the delegation and
those whom it represented, but the
outcome most desired by them failed
of achievement. Mr.. WEIGH was in
duced to reconsider his order pro-
hibiting the now famous man-trip and
the miners seemed to think that the
way had been paved for q resumption
Of the relations that formerly existed
between themselves and the Rocky
Fork Coal company. But 1t turns out
that in this they were mistaken.
The Conditions Imposed.
In consideration Of his withdrawal
of the order causing the trouble the
representatives Of the miners signed
an agreement in which they assumed
responsibility for violation OF the law,
along with the company, under GER
tain conditions. The agreement pro-
vides that the man-trip shall consist
Of no more than six cars, and that no
more than eight men shall ride on any
one car; that the cars constituting
the man-trip must be connected with
the hosting cable at least three feet
from the coupling Of the first car, and,
extendinging over the cars, connect
with the drawbar of the last cal. 1t
is also provided that all miners Of
the company must remain in the en-
tries at least 100 feet distant from
the slope until the time appointed
nor the man-trip. Another provision
makes violation of any part of the
agreement, by either the miners or
the company, the n SO guilty subject
to the full penalty OF the law. The
last section provides that the risks at
tendant upon the agreement are as
sumed by the miners and that the in
spector shall not be held responsible
for any accident that may occur by
reaso Of the adoption Of the agree
ment, or by the revocation of the or
der to the company disseminating the
man-trip.
A Lockout.
That the company does not consid-
er itself bound by the agreement.en
tered into between the strikers and
the mine inspector is very evident.
All the men who walked out, and that
means every miner employed by the
company, are considered as no longer
OF the payrolls and in every other re-
spect are treated as non-employes.
Those who are occupying company
houses have been notified to vacate,
which is regarded as meaning that no
matter what may be eventually done
In the way of resuming work. the men
tHho went on strike need not expect
work again.
Upon receipt Of notice of the agree
ment entered into with the inspector
a committee Of the miners union wait
ed on Manager O'Shea and informed
him that the men prepared to
resume work, at the same time asking
him If there would be any objection
to q resumption of the man-trip. To
this Mr.. O'Shea is quoted as having
replied that the company had been at
all times ready to resume the man
trip II the order Of the mine inspector
was recinded, but as the men had
seen At to disregard the notice to re-
turn to their work last Monday they
had practically left the company's
employ and nothing remained to be
adjusted between the two parties.
From persons who have visited
Red Lodge during the past few days
it Is learned that quite a number OF
the miners have left the camp, evi.
IDENTIFY having arrived at the conclu'
sion that as far as they we're concern
ed the outlook was not such as to
warrant them in remaining longer
Another fact regarded as portendine
that no great haste will be shown in
re-opening the mine is that the rail
ROAD company is sending west the
cars formerly used in hauling coal
from Red Lodge.
Buck Herd.