Amador ledger., 1903-08-28
TO THE PUBLIC.
SUFFER- CREEK, August 81, 1903.

SUFFER- CREEK, August 81, 1903
The International Union of Steam
Engineers No. 223 believing that the
time has come when it should clearly
define its position submits to the public
the following facts:
In April of this year the Jackson
Union No. lis, Western Federation OF
Miners, declared strike against a
number of mining companies in this
district.
This union demanded of the mining
companies
1st. Eight hours labor per day un-
derground instead OF ten.
End. Nondiscrimination.
No demand whatever was made in
behalf of the engineers or the surface
employees either for shorter hours,
more wages, or for any other benefit,
yet certain members of the w. F. M,
by threats and intimidation, prevented
many engineers and surface employees,
not members OF the w. F. M. at ALL to
quit work and thus aid the jackson
Union in winning its strike. The min
ing companies conceded hours labOr
underground instead of ten 1t was
agreed all around there should be no
discrimination, and work was resumed !;
the engineers and surface men getting
no beneht whatever, but many of us
losing two or three weeks work.
At this time many mem bers of the
w. F. nj. openly stated that they did
not want anyone but miners to belong
to their union. Later the unions post
ed notices that all who did not ioin
would be treated and published as
scabs. Thereupon the engineers and
mechanics organized themselves into a
union of the International Steam En-
gineers, affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor. We had granted
to us regular charter from the su-
preme council, and a duly appointed
organizer came here from San Fran
cisco and properly installed our union.
The charge that we are or ever have
been opposed to the W. F. M, or wish
IN any way to antagonize it, or organ
lied at the request of the mining COM
panies is absolutely and unqualifedly
false. We organized for self protection;
we did not wish to be driven from our
work for the sole benefit of others; we
belonged to separate craft from the
miners and want to fight our own bat
ties and attend to our business without
outside interference. We are Ameri-
can citizens, and only ask our Ameri-
can rights to be permitted to work,
support our families, and educate our
children. We have no grievance
against our employers, and are satisfied
with our hours, wages, and conditions.
We have now been organized over three
months, hold regular meetings in SUIT
ter Creek, and have growing mem
bership of over 100.
Several weeks ago committee from
the Amador Uuion, w. F. NJ, No. 135,
demanded that our mem bers working
IN that district join the w. F. NJ or
quit their work. The demand was re-
fused. ThereupOn diligent effort was
made by this union to procure the dis
charge of these men.
The Fremont, Bunker Hill and Key
stone companies, all assured our mem
bers that they could join or not Join
any union, lodge or party they desired;
that pursuant to the strike settlement
there was to be no discrimination. The
Fremont and Bunker Hill companies
kept their promise, but Mr.. Jasper M.
Mills Building, and Park
Commissioner of San Francisco, on last
Thursday discharged his three en-
glneers at the Keystone, Messrs. Gray,
Wrigglesworth, Tretheway and Botto,
members of our union, for the sole
reason that they would not join the w.
F. M. The work of these engineers
was satisfactory, and they were old,
faithful employees of the company, one
Of them having served the keystone
company 80 years, yet Mr.. Mcdonald
forced these men out of their work
They have lived in Amador for years,
have families and own their
homes in that town. Mr.. Mcdonald
and promised them directly
and indirectly, orally and in writing,
that he would not discharge them for
refusing to join the w. F. M. This
same man. Jasper NJ. Mcdonald, runs
; company store at Amador and forces
Ill his employees at the Keystone mine
TO trade there, and has done so for
years. 1t is the only company store in
,his whole mining district. We SUBJ
nit to the public that Mr.. Mcdonald is
1ot a man of his word, he is unfair, un-
lust, un-American.
Inc Anthraclt5s Coal Commission
made this finding:!
1t is adjudged and awarded that no
person shall be refused employment or
n any way Disseminated against on
of membership or non-member-
ship in any labor organization, and that
here shall be no discrimination or in
'erference with any employee who is
not member of any labor organization
BY members of such organization.
This finding has been approved by
'he press and the people of the whole
country, yet it remained for Mr. Jasper
NJ. Mcdonald, Park Commissioner of
San Francisco, to discharge three faith
ul employees because of demand from
/ labor organization of which he was
afraid.
International Union OF Steam
Engineers No. 223.