The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1903-10-24
CHAOS IN BUTTE
a. .7hutting Down of the Big Mines
Y as Developed a Critical
~ Situation.

~!
Butte, Oa ,.4According to every
indication the Amalgamated Copper
Co. is preparing for long shut down
as many Of the pumps in the big mines
|have suspended operations. The Anal
gamated officials are reticent as to the
probable length Of the suspension, say
ling it may be of six or eigth months
duration and perhaps greater period
An effort will be made by leading cit
liens Of the state to have the supreme
court advance the hearing on approval
from Judge Clancy's decision in THE
case in the hope that reversal of the
judgment OF the tribunal will induce the
Amalgamated Copper Co. to resume.
Indignation among the Amalgamated
people is rife and they are loud in de-
|nouncing the present state of affairs and
declare that all business on the part oil
the company will remain at standstill
until the Boston and Montana receiver
ship is definitely settled.
r. Augustus Heinz sensational
statement, attacking III. III. Rogers,
stating that the present shutting down
of the Analgamated properties to be a
scheme on the part uf Standard Oil
magnates and associates to affect the
price of the stock and offering posi-
|tions to all married men thrown out OF
employment, was followed by state
ment by F. w Scanlon, president Of
the Anaconda and one of the leading
Amalgamated officials in this state.
Mr.. Scanlon denounced as malicious
falsehoods' the statements of Mr..
Heinz regarding Mr.. Rogers. ssMr.
Rogers, declared President Scanlon,
gave no order to close the mines and
the assertion that the suspension OF
the Amalgamated properties is part OF
a stock jobbing scheme is unqualifedly
false"
With the exception of the small
crews manning the pumps, all mines
are deserted and as soon as the furnaces
can be cleared of charges and fires
drawn four smelters OF the Amalgamat-
ed will shut down. This will be ac-
complished sometime tonight or tomor-
row morning, and by tomorrow night it
is expected all operations of the Anal
|gamated Copper Co. will be at a COM
plete standstill. All shipments have
ceased and the Great Northern, Butte,
FAnaconda and Pacific are reducing
their crews. The Northern Pacific and
Oregon Short Line are little affected
by the shut down
1t is estimated by the Amalgamated
officials that between $4,000 and 5000
men are made idle This calculation in
.cludes all the men employed by the
Amalgamated Copper Co. throughout
the state OF Montana. Business men
fear the worst should the suspension
continue for any length Of time, as
the army Of Amalganiated employees is
the principal sustaining factor Of Butte's
industrial life. In Anaconda the town
lis practically dependent on the big
Washoe plants for its existence and the
closing, of the works is the worst blow
lin the history OF that city. Business
men of Great Falls are ALREADY urging
that the case of the Amalgamated Co.
may be speedily brought before the SUI
preme court for consideration as the
closing of the smelter means body
blow to the business activity OF Great
Falls. Throughout the state generally
a state Of depression, IS reflected and
in Butte business is practically paralyz-
ed with the fear Of a crash in the event
OF prolonged close down and the BUSH
ness men are cancelling their orders for
winter supplies.
B As yet no act OF violence has been
reported to the police, though il. is fear
ed some difficulty will be experienced
in holding the big army Of miners in
check any length Of time. Tonight the
principal streets are blocked with in
dignant miners and mutterings can be
heard on an sides. Extra police have
been sworn in with ORDERS I'd prevent
gatherings Of large crowds. It is re-
ported that the pumps Of the Leonard
mine, OF the Boston Il Montana group,
will suspend Should this occur, the
flooding Of the Minnie Healy mine, yes
terday awarded to T. Augustus Heinze
BY Judge Clancy, is considered newt
able, as the workings Of the two props
afftaS fSfl.1y1 of~t