Amador ledger., 1903-07-31
LABOR UNION SITUATION
Friction Continues Between Western
Federation and American FEEDER
alton Organizations.


John G. Williams of Nevada county,
who is vice president of the Western
Federation OF Miners, has been in the
county for the past week, looking into
the labor situation in this county. The
object OF his visit is mainly to endeavor
to get the engineers and others of the
various mines who are now organized
under the banner of the American
Federation to join the Western Fedora
ton. The principal point of friction is
the mines around Amador City. Mr..
Williams has interviewed G. r. Downs,
superintendent of the Bunker Hill,
Arthur Goodall, superintendent of The
Fremont, and others in regard to the
matter. Some very disquieting re-
ports were in circulation in reference
to the substance of these interviews,
giving the impression that further
labor troubles we're pending. That
impression predominates around ANA
dor City. Special meetings have been
held there the past week, also meet
ing in Sutter Greek, to which the men,
bers of the American Federation were
invited, was held Sunday evening.
This was addressed by Mr.. Williams,
who stated the position OF his organiza-
tion, and cordially Invited them to
identify themselves with the organiza-
tion which he represented.
Among the mine owners and business
men generally, especially in the central
part of the county, the feeling of un-
rest has been greatly increased. On
Wednesday Mr.. Williams was in Jack
son, and the editor of the Ledger avail
ed himself OF the opportunity of inter
viewing him. He stated the object of
his mission was not strike. A strike
was the furthest from their Intentions;
no special meeting had been called for
the 10th Of August to vote on strike
proposition.
The situation seems to be about as
follows:
The Western Federation contends
that the mining section is their special
field; they do not invade the cities,
leaving that field for the American
Federation and other organizations. 1t
is necessary to maintain their position,
they claim, to have the engineers of all
the mines within their jurisdiction in
their organization. When asked what
was meant by the expression, ''to
maintain our position, the answer
was, ''to endeavor to improve the con-
ditions of those employed in and around
the mines" There was no objection
to engineers and others belonging to
the American Federation as we'll, but
they had to have them ia their union.
In other words, they wanted to domi-
nate the situation.
The American Federation men on |
the other hand are satisfied to remain |
where they are. They do not want to
belong to two labor organizations. The |
mine owners will not discriminate |
either for or against them on account of
belonging to either union or TO no
union. We understand the time given
in which all those working in and
around the mines of the Amador dis
trict are to join the Western Fedora
tion has heeq extended to the 18th of
August. What will occur then in case
they fail to join is not said. All idea of
strike is repudiated by the leaders. A
strike is the furthest from their
thoughts they say. But the impression
eft upon the minds OF the representa-
lives OF the mines is that the miners of
the Western Federation. while not de-
,laring strike, will decline to work
with those non-members. A demand
'or the discharge of non-union men, or
American Federation men, if met
with a refusal, followed by re-
'usal of the others to work, walk k-out
Dr. q lock out, is likely to be the out
come, resulting in tie-up OF the mines
involved, unless other men can be got
10 operate them. The outlook is any
hing but resssHriaa.