Amador ledger., 1903-04-24
THE BIG STRIKE.
A Settlement Apparently in Sight, when a
Misunderstanding Crops Out.

Mcclure, by virtue of the manifesto
agreed upon at meeting of the super
intendents of the various mines in
volved, held a conference with COM
mittee of his own employees as such.
They have all joined the union recently
formed at Paloma, and which is said to
number 200 members. 1t was under
stood that he did not confer with them
as committee appointed by the union.
Neither would he recognize NJ. w.
Moor, representative of the Western
Federation, in his representative ca
pacity. But it was finally agreed that
he should be present at the gathering
and reduce the terms of the agreement
to writing. After protracted negotia-
tions a basis of settlement was formu-
lated as follows; No recognition of the
union; no discrimination against either
union or nOn-uniOn men; no agreement
on the part OF the company to rein
state discharged men, the manager
being left entirely free to exercise his
own discretion in the matter; nine
hours to constitute day work under
ground. 1t was naturally understood
that this arrangement was subject to
its ratification by the board OF directors
of the company, the two directors at
the mine, superintendent Thomas and
Mcclure, were in favor of the settle
ment, and they are the largest indi-
vidual stockholders. 1t was also tacitly
agreed that the superintendents of all
the companies concerned should act
together. A settlement by one meant
a settlement by all. And as another
meeting of the superintendents was
called for the following day, Saturday,
in Sutter Greek, the prospect of COM
plete settlement, satisfactory to both
sides of the controversy, seemed ques-
tion of only few hours. 1t was at
once noised about that the trouble was
settled. Congratulations we're
INDUCED in by strikers and business
men that the Industrial war was over.
The employees rejoiced in the prospect
of being back to work in short time,
and joyous feeling of relief was ex-
perienced by all.
Early Saturday, the meeting of super
intendents was held in the Office of the
Amador Electric Company. Objections
at once arose concerning the terms of
the agreement, more particularly the
clause relating to hours. This it was
held left room for misunderstanding.
1t might be interpreted-and in fact it |
was so interpreted-that the nine hours
should commence from the time the |
were lowered into the shaft, |
and end at their temperance there |
from after work. This would amount |
practically to eight hours actual work. |
After much discussion, the meeting re- |
solved to definitely guard this point
modification of the original |
agreement or not we do not know--by |
making the clause read nine working" |
hours. In this form it was acceptab BILE |
to all; the respective superintendents |
having authority to treat on that basis. |
The modified terms were agreed to by |
the committee representing the Gwin
and again the outlook for a |
speedy end was bright. A meeting of |
the Gwin directors was held in San |
francisco Monday morning, at which
the agreement was ratified without a
voice. Again cheerful
spirit prevailed. Employees of the Gwin
we're notified to report for duty. Thirty |
Or forty men were working on tue sur
face and preparations were made for
starting full blast Tuesday. In the
evening however, a telephone message |
was received to the effect that B.
Johnson, bookkeeper of the Gwin, had |
received instructions to take no further |
steps toward the resumption of wor k |
until further orders. The import of |
this was only a matter of surmise, |
until further particulars were known.
On comparing notes Tuesday a seri-
Gus discrepancy in the understanding |
of the compact of settlement between |
the Gwin and its employees turned up. |
That agreement was intended to be a |
basis of settlement for all companies. |
The mine owners were willing to con-
cede a reduction of actual working |
time one hour, making nine hours in
stead of ten. A meeting of Jackson |
union was called Tuesday afternoon,
and when this proposition was put to |
them it was rejected. They wanted |
eight working hours, and those who
participated in the arrangement with |
the Gwin never understood it in any
other way. This blocked the plan of
Wednesday the repre-
sentatives of all the companies con-
cerned, except the Gwin, held meet
ing, and resolved to stand together for
the original agreement as they under
stood it. They issued the following as
their final position:
We have held a meeting, and agree to stand |
upon the terms specified in our original agree |
ment as follows:
Employees may return to work, union and non |
union men, and no discrimination against |
either.
Where time Of working shift is now ten work |
ing hours, same shall be reduced to nine work |
ing hours, with same rate of wages.
Union not to be recognized.
We decline to concede eight working hours.
Oneida Gold Mining and Milling Company, |
By E. Hampton, Sup't.
Kennedy Mining and Milling COmnany