Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-05-09
THE CITIZENS PROTECTIVE LEAGUE

In order that the outside world may
understand the facts concerning the organ
ization of the citizens league in this city
this week, we desire to call attention to
few matters in connection with its organic
alton.
Last February the Miners Union, or the
Western Federation of Miners on behalf O
the local miners union, demanded a minimum
wage scale of S2.75 per day, or in othe
words that a lesser amount than this shou1C
not be paid by the mines employing labor
With one or two exceptions the OPERATOR
granted this raise. So far as the proposit
ions that did not, and the union, were con
cerned, the citizens practically took no part
Immediately after the legislature ad djourn
ed, and when it was determined that tn,
eight-hour law would not be passed, The
citizens were surprised to find notices posted
to the effect that the union would, on May
I, demand eight hours work at the regular
pay and the clause that they would demand
the right to either go to work and return
from work on the time of the employer
This notice was filled with matters suggest
ing that the people of the district must beal
the burden imposed by the failure of re
creant legislature.
On May I, as stated it would, the union
as the result of its rule, closed down severa
mines. In summing up the result of the
action of the union during the three or foui
months, it was ascertained that severa
hundred men were out of employment, thai
many of the properties were closed down
or closing down, and that the merchants
business men and every line, as well as the
laboring men were suffering as a result o.
such condition of affairs.
While sentiment was undoubtly with the
union in its demand for a minimum wage
of $2.75 per day it is unquestionably over,
whelmingly against it in its demand fol-
eight hours and the other frivolous propos
ition regarding time to be consumed and al
whose expense during working hours.
The league of the citizens has resulted
People are not, in our opinion, prejudiced
against organized labor any more than they
have been. They do purpose to insist in
the future, however that any workingman,
capable and desirous of working in the
mines shall be afforded an opportunity to dc
so and the city and the authorities will af-
ford him protection in exercising this right
which should be right of every Ameri-
can citizen. Business men who have re-
JaI Il |.
to build up their business and have also
worked long hours for others in order to
get start and establish themselves in bust
ness do not feel that they should be made
to bear the burden of general close down,
such as the last order of the union would
mean.
In organizing to resist this they are
simply employing the same right the union
has employed and feel that they are accomp-
fishing good rather than evil when they
maintain that conditions shall be kept in
such shape that people may work and de-
velop the mines and take out the ore that
bears gold and silver.
No more representative organization was
ever brought together in the city. 1t looks
as if every business house on every street
had joined with view to protecting the in
terests of the district
There is no need for violent antagonisms
on either side. There is but one object
sought by the new organization and that is
the protection of every interest of the dis
trict.
The Georgetown Courier remarks that if