The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-07-02
By Old Observer.

The great strike which has been
impending for some time in the
Lead Belt. was officially declared
at meeting of the Miners Union
at Wigger's Hall in Flat River on
Saturday night. Sunday morn
ing not a wheel turned at either
the Federal or Columbia plants
and the furnaces which run the
pumps were kept going by the
officials of the companies.
After the fireman quit at the
Federal, Tuesday, Of last week the
company closed down and locked
ont those men who were not need
ed. Saturday night the Union
took the first action by ordering a
strike at the Federal and Colum-
bia, which made it necessary to
call out the pump men and Others
about the mines who continued to
work. This action was taken af-
ter hearing the grievances aud de.
liberating carefully upon the sit.
uation.
Mat Nasley, the grand secretary
of the Miners Union, was present
aud gave national endorsement
aud promised national support in
the trouble Of the laborers in the
Lead Belt. He stated that their
demands were reasonable and that
the American Federation of Labor
was 1000, ,00C strong. That il
worst came to worst, no miner
should suffer for want of food and
clothing. He said the Miners
Union had gone through the great
anthracite coal strike with an en-
hanced treasury, and he thought
it would not hurt many of the
Lead Belt labOrers to rest awhile
on just, lawful and reasonable
demand. lie counseled against
violence and told The men to steer
clear of infractions of the law. He
said the corporations may violate
| the 8 hour law. but the men who
strike could get their rights by ap-
pealing to justice, if the courts did
their duty.
The Federal and Columbia COM
panies have kept the water from
drowning out their mines by work.
ing the officials at the pumps.
Capt Stevens add foreman Able
have labored faithfully to keep the
water out, and the men generally
recognize Mr.. Stephens as being
reasonable. lie treated the boys
gentlemanly, even when it seemed
death to their mines to leave them,
who come after the men who ran
the pumps.
Harry Cantwell of the Columbus
was more boisterous and made SEN
sational statements to those wllC
apparently trespassed. Cantwel
} made a speech to his men Friday
morning, in which he said hi
would give no eight hours. lie
said he could not afford an in.
crease of wages, that he was now
running at Il dead expense. lie
offered to open his books to a com
. mittee from the Union for exami
t nation, and said, if after they fig
nred out his expense, they could
, find where he could afford to run
/, an additional expense, no was will
, ling to increase wages. Cantwel
was excited and rambled consid
erably, commenting on the sup
} posed profits other companies wert
getting from their lead, and said
Boys, if you knew how little the,
made you would be ashamed to ask
, for reduction of hours and an in
, crease of pay" Nowhere did h,
3 say he would run eight hOu'
shifts.
S At this writing monday tn,
situation is gloomy at the Fedora
: and Derby shafts. There are nj
, pump men, the mines are fillinI
with water, and it is rumored tha
4 insurance companies are cancellinf
e the polices the companies hold OF
o the costly machinery and mines.
!, scHoFIELD's POSITION.
r In his statement to the public
General Manager Schofeld's state
G ment is quite different in meaninI
: from his ultimatum to a committe'
y from his employees who waited OF
the Office Friday. The union say
n Mr.. Schofeld's purpose in writinl
e to the public is to curry favor ant
Q get public sentiment, but his ulti