Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-10
Board Will Hold Meeting in San Fran
DISCO Tuesday Afternoon,
QUESTION OF STRIKE NOT MENTIONED
Order to Suspend Work viii Require Three
Fourths Vote
70 DISORDER OF ANY KIND EXPECTED
Report That Company Asked for
Troops TO Protect Mine without
FOundntiOn-superi
Refuses 20 Talk.

LEAD, s. D., Dec. g.--CSpecial Telegram)
The joint meeting OF the Lead and Central
City miners unions, composed OF employees
OF the Homestake mine, met here this att
ernOon and after a brief discussion voted
to ask for an eght-hour day. The resolu-
ton was at once telegraphed to the board
Of directors, which meets in San Francisco
Tuesday. The question Of strike was
not mentioned
Although the mines have been idle all
day long and the streets have been thronged
with people anxious to learn of the out
come of the mass convention Of the Lead
miners union, there was not the slightest
disorder nor had the police force OF the
city been increased to meet any anticipated
trouble. Those who did not attend the
meeting OF the miners stood on the street
corners and watched tho boys coast down
the steep hill sides. Very little else was
talked Of by the crowds which congregated
upon tho streets than the action to be
taken by the meeting.
Eight-HOur Day Asked For.
Promptly at o'clock the meeting was
called to order about 1900 members OF the
union being in attendance. But little talk
ing was INDUCED in, the meeting organizing
by the election Of William Munroe as chali-
man and w. c. Benfer and Robert Collins
as secretaries The question then came up
as to whether It was the sentiment OF the
meeting that an eight-hour day be asked
for and rising vote was taken. The ques-
ticn was carried unanimously, quite a
demonstration following the vote. After
the vote had been taken. on motion, a COM
mittee was appointed to draft resolutions
setting forth the demands of the meeting.
These resolutions set forth the fact that
. Il he, ,F
City miners unions that the miners en-
ployed by the Homestake Mining company
are entitled and deserve an eight-hour
working day; that the resolutions be tee-
graphed to the board of directors of the
company, which will meet in San Fran
cisco Tuesday. 1t was further resolved that
/ a copy of the resolutions be laid before
/ Superintendent Grier and that he be re-
quested to use his influence with the board
OF directors Of the company to secure the
granting of the demands Of the men. Con-
sidering the Importance OF the questions
involved the meeting was very brief and
after the transaction Of the above business
! II adjourned.
Strike Not Discussed.
At the meeting this afternoon the ques-
/ tion Of a strike did not come up and, as
only the matter of an eight-hour day was
]
/ ing on that question. That will be an
after consideration and a matter to be
settled by the Lead and Central City
unions after reply to their demands has
been received. Then 1t will require three
fourths vote to decide whether II shall be
a strike. The matter will probably be
| laid before the Western Federation Of
Miners in the event of the mems demands
not being granted and It will be several
weeks before the question will be voted
on by the unions involved and then the
| ballot taken, according to the bylaws OF
| the federation, must be secret.
! Superintendent Grier was seen by The
Bee representative shortly after the action
Of the meeting had been announced and
when asked what would be the probable
outcome of the decision reached by the
men declared that he could not say and
did not wish TO be quoted, In fact, re-
fused to be interviewed on the subject.
This evening everything is quiet and
peaceful and the reports that soldiers had
been asked for to protect the company's
property is false. as there is no necessity
for them hePe and will not be, no matter
which way the vote II one is taken sa
the question Of a strike, may 50.
Mines VIII Resume Today.
Interviews with several OF the prominent
union men have been had by a Bee corre-
spondent, and in every instance they have
declared that the question Of strike has
not been mentioned at any OF the union
meetings and that today's proceedings had
not for one Of it's objects the discussion OF
such proposition, but merely to endeavor
to secure. II possible, from the manage
ment OF the Homestalke company an eight
hour day. The mines will resume opera
tions tomorrow as usual and with the same
men. Everything is quiet and orderly to-
night and the incidents OF the afternoon
have apparently been forgotten.