The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-09-26

dred occupations ally themselves
with the Western Federation, and
are entitled to all the benefits that
accrue to any other member. This
attitude Of the federation, which has
been Of lasting benefit to the mem
bers. is one that always begets the
active opposition of the mine man
ayers. because they claim that In
order to pay one class of few work.
men good or high wages 1t must
needs be that other and more numer-
GUS workmen shall be forced to work
for low wages. Any organisation
the many workers ETAoNaJ a-mb
that prevents the employment OF the
many workers at wages far below
that paid to the few il considered to
be a menace to the manager, who
wants to run his own business to
suit himself Parenthetical1y, It may
be stated that the Western Fedora
ton Of Miners has always insisted
on a minimum equal wage of So q
day for eight hours work for all
persons working in and about the
mines. The organization will not ap-
prove Of q lower wage than this In
and about the mines. and hopes to
reach 1t for the smeltermen.
0nsltsrmen Members Of Federation.
This statement Is given In order
to explain how 1t Is that since the
original strike started among the
smeltermen the miners are really the
ones who are bearing the brunt Of
the battle. The smeltermen are
members Of the Western Federation
and are entitled to all the benefits.
First and foremost among these
benefits In the right to use the
strength Of the organization to
shorten the hours Of labor and in
crease the rate Of pay. This the
smeltermen attempted to do when
they sought to induce the smelter
management at Colorado City to es-
tablish the eight-hour day. As MEM
bers OF the same organization the
miners likewise went on strike with
the idea of enforcing a settlement
that would mean q substantial gain
fer the workers. Else what In q
labor organization for, II 1t will not
help it's own members7 To do other
wise would leave the organisation no
stranger than the individual.
."Such an aggressive policy on the
part Of the Colorado wage earners
enlisted the active opposition of the
mine managers, who formed associ-
ations in order to combat and circum-
vent the claims Of the workmen This
association Of managers enlisted the
services and help Of all employers Of
labor in the mining districts OF the
state, and when the crisis came 1t
can be seen how easy 1t was for this
kind Of an organization to secure the
help Of the state government when 1t
desired to put the Western Fedora
tion Miners out OF business.
Peabody Orders Out Troops.
+ On the Sd Of March Governor Pea
body ordered the state troops to Col
orado City.
The order came like a peal Of
thunder out Of clear sky and met
with remonstrance from many
sources. The mayor. the chief Of
police. the city attorney. and bun
dreds Of citizens protested. as there
was no violence to suppress. and the
only purpose apparent was to use
the soldiers to intimidate the strik-
ers and force them to return to
work (Note the date of this order
sending the troops-March Sd was
not over seven weeks after the gov
ernor was inaugurated.)
Later. through the intervention of
an advisory committee appointed by
the governor, an agreement was
smeltermen on strike were to be re-
instated without prejudice. This
agreement was signed by all except
Manager Mcneil OF the United States
Reduction and Refining company. and
he agreed to 1t tentatively. but re-
fused at critical time to comply
with the findings Of the governors
commission. In order to force him
to comply the miners In the Cripple
Creek district upon direct vote de-
cided to cease mining ores that were
shipped to an unfair mill unless with
In certain time the members of the
millmen's union were reinstated.
ION Monday, August 10, 1908. the
miners In the Cripple Greek district
threw down their tools and imple-
~ n ha no cJo x,oookyo, -. a..
count of the failure Of Manager Nc
Neill to live up to his plain agree
ment, and on account of the treat
ment given members Of the, Western
Federation of Miners. This was after
the twelfth annual convention Of the
Western Federation of Miners had
had under consideration all the mat
ters relating to the contest and had
approved all the actions Of the dis
trict committee to whom had been
delegated the power to call out all
miners on strike II necessary.
This Is the real beginning Of the
struggle that has caused SO much
sorrow and so much suffering on the
part of the members OF the w. r. M.
in Cripple Creek district. as well as
In Telluride. in the western part Of
the state.
ION September Governor Pea
body sent commission Of three to
Cripple Creek district to serve as an
excuse for the sending Of state
troops to the district.
Protssts Of no Avail.
Notwithstanding the protest Of
the sheriff of the county. the opposi-
ton of tho board Of county commits
sioners. as well ms the protest of n
mass meeting of citizens of Victor
held on September 8. and the protest
Of q mass meeting Of citizens Of
Cripple Creek held September 6, and
a petition signed by over 30oo citi-
Gems. which was presented to the
governor. opposing the sending of
troops. as there was no violence, the
troops nevertheless were sent. and