Amador ledger., 1904-05-06
Fremont Trouble.

COuCtrulDS buo Wdlh-OuJ lfOm Manager
Goodall: A few minutes before time
for the day shift to GO into the mine on
the morning of the 2Sth of April. one
Mr.. French, who had been selected as
spokesman for the union men, request
ed him to discharge one Harry Thor
son, giving as reasons therefor that he
was pehind with his dues in the union,
aud that he had been talking about the
organization and its members, at. the
same time failing to specify any par
ticular charge. He asked the spokes-
man if that was all, and being informed
that it was, decided that it was mat
ter that did not concern the mine, and
requested all the men who wished to
do so, to step upon the skip aud go to
their respective positions underground.
Not man moved. He waited a few
minutes, and ordered the engineer to
raise the skip. Turning TO the men he
informed them all that they were dis
charged, and requested them to call at
longings, and leave the premises. A
few of them did as requested, but the
greater portion of them remained until
the arrival of Sheriff Norman, and at
his request all left peaceably, having
done no damage to the company's
property during their stay. Mr..
GOodall said he considered Mr.. Thor
son discharged just the same as the
other men who failed to step upon the
skip, The next morning Thorson ap-
peared at the Office, and asked to be
reinstated. He Immediately placed his
name on the pay roll, and lowered him
into the shaft, where he worked half
shift and called for his time, saying he
wished to leave the mine. In the after
noon he packed his belongings, and at
dusk left for other parts. The man.
ager spoke of the vast sum expended
by the company in opening up the
mine; of the interest manifested in
their employees at all times; of the many
comforts provided ior them, and of the
good cheer that seemingly prevail
ed up to this time. He manifested
no ill-feeling toward these men; said
the company had not declared against
union men; that they were working to
develop paying mine, and the private
affairs of church, state, lodges or
unions we're not to be considered by
the company. However, if any man
as an individual had grievance, if re-
ported TO the proper authority he
always took pleasure in looking into
the matter, and granted the desired re-
lief if possible.
On the other hand, a member of the |
unions executive committee made in |
the following statement:
We made simple and just request OF
the manager, and were refused. We
made the request as working men, not
as union men. We considered a man
who had tried to harm his fellow work
men an unworthy man to be in the |
mine. We could not discharge him,
but we could refuse to work with him. |
We did refuse, and all got fired. We
have days work to sell, and when |
bought will do our work well, but claim |
the right to say, in a measure. with
whom we will work. The night shift |
as we'll as the day shift were let out,
they Were not present when |
the request was made. We do not con-
slider that Mr.. Thorson was discharg-
ed, as his name cannot be found upon |
the list furnished to Sheriff Norman.
We have no complaints to make of the
management of this mine. We we're
satisfied with our positions, our pay,
and our treatment by those in authori- |
ty. We objected only to working with |
Mr.. Thorson, and while we did rot |
mention all of our complaints to Mr.. |
GoOdall, we feel that enough was said
to justify him in discharging this man.
All underground men refused to work, |
union and non-union alike, but now
that we are out the union must stand |
the brunt Of battle. We harmed no
property, acted as sane men, and the
company need have no fears that any
mischief will be done by their former
employees, Or any other person if it is
within our power to prevent it. The
union will now make certain quests,
and if complied with we are willing to
resume work at a moments notice.
Both parties spoke in Complimentary
terms of the part taken by Sheriff
Norman, who arrived on the scene
shortly after the walk-out. The OBJ
iectiOnable man is now gone, and with
neither party holding ill-will against
the other, it seems but a matter of
few days when everything will be run
ming smoothly again.
LATER.
By a telephone message received from
Amador City this morning we are in
formed that the strike is settled, and
the men will return to work Monday
morning. All concerned hail the set
tlement with satisfaction, We are not
in position to state how the settle
ment was brought about. The work.
man ThOrstOn, with whom the union
men objected working. having left, there
was nothing left to prevent settle
ment. We are told that the union did
not sanction the walk-out. The men
resume their places on the same foot