Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-10-14
A WILD o A

The Helena Independent OF a week
ago contained the announcement that
Dan Mcdonald, president OF the
American Labor Union. was ION his
way TO Lewistown to adjust some
labor trouble al that place He
came but found that the good peo-
pie of Lewistown had already adjust
ed the labor trouble without outside
interference and that his presence
here was entirely unnecessary.
1t is said Walking Delegate Lynch
went after Mr.. Mcdonald in person
and if true there is reason to believe
that the latter was not correctly ad-
yised as to the true status OF the stu
alton in Lewistown.
Upon his arrival here Mr.. Mcdonald
found a veritable hive Of industry.
He found everybody at work at the
highest wages eve paid to men under
like conditions. He found everybody
willing to work except a few graft
ers and socialistic agitators who
come under the head OF "~jawsmiths."
That he found their field of labor
somewhat curtailed is doubtless true.
OF course, Mr.. Mcdonald may not
admit to finding conditions as above
stated but his refusal 10 do so would
not alter the facts.
A rational, conservative. sensible
leader would pass adverse judgment
upon the strike and the instigators of
il without hesitation. What Mr.. Nc.
Donald thinks or what he expects to
do will not alter the situation.
The fact is that the strike on Tubb
Bros. was absolutely uncalled for.
There was no complaint on the score
of wages. or hours of labor. A strike
OF the stone masons working on the
school house and Woodman building
was called because it was alleged
that Tubb Bros. were employing one
or two carpenters to whom he was
not paying the full scale. The ma
sons had no grievance whatever and
desired to remain at work and some
of them left their jobs under duress,
after threats had been made to do
them bodily harm. Even if ground
for the strike was based on the con-
tention that union men cannot work
with n~on-union men. James Erickson,
special deputy of the Brick Masons
International Union OF North Amer.
lea. who came here from Great Falls
some three weeks ago, is authority
for the statement that there is moth.
ing in the constitution Of the interna'
tional union preventing the two from
working together. though local unions
could determine this matter fol
themselves.
However this may be, there is nc
proof that Tubb Bros. were not con
forming to union principles as close
ly as any other contractor in the city
And even II they were not they Were
conducting their own business 10 sui
themselves, a right which is guaran
teed To every American citizen. ever
though ii is not realized in some sec
tons Of the country as fully al /
should be.
Furthermore. II is pretty deflnitel.
known that this fight against Tub
Bros. was not altogether a uniol
grievance. Il was partly instigate,
by one OF two local contractors VIII
were cnyious of or had a prejudic
against he brothers for their ucces
in securing building contracts. The,
could furnish something new in dc
signs and could do their work in
workmanlikc manner The very da
that this strike was called one q
these contractors boosted that he wa
; paying $500 per day to two of his cal
pcntcrS aud it is doubtful whethe
he waS employing over five men a
that time. Yet this man was the
and is TOW ha%nd-in-gloye with thos
making q fight on Tubb Bros.
WIZ didn't the agitators call
. strike on him, if they wished to b
consistent
M. the local union has been bul
; coed hg a scr of grafters whose chic
aim is to feather their own nests
the "Nrnusn and to the injury OF me
whom W" believe will. sooner or late
F. reheI asoins, their dishonest and II
, jndl'ipE' domination in the affair
f, Of the union
, 81 Present work is progressing D
thr Nu" -CnOol house and on all u
er buildings in the EIpst satisfa'.i
manner And il is a condition whic
is mos gratifying to every loyal ci
+. zen and one that will be maintaine
at all hazards.