New-York tribune., 1907-07-24
WESTERN FEDERATION ATTACKED.
Strong Feeling in Duluth Against Attempt
to Introduce Colorado Methods.

Duluth. July 23-There is strong feeling in this
city against the attempt of the Western Fedora
tion OF Miners to organize the mine workers near
here and TO introduce the methods they have used
In Colorado. This is shown by the following edi-
torial published In The Duluth Sunday News
Tribune of July 2l:
Minnesota has for the Western Fedora
ton OF Miners.
This is not Colorado, and the history of Colorado
through the introduction Of Western Federation
methods must not be repeated here.
Minnesota has great many labor unions They
are welcome. They are composed of Intelligent:
loyal citizens But the Western Federation OF
Miners is not a labor union; It is organization
for revolution it is utterly lawess in its methods
it is anarchistc in it's principles and marches under
the red fag.
Minnesota does not want IT, will not have 1t
fastened upon its soil, and if the Oliver Iron Min
ing Company should in any way recognize it 1t
would merit the severest and unstinted
condemnation of every good citizen.
For three years it has been trying to get a foot
hold among the iron miners Of this state. 1t has
had little success. There was no demand for II.
There We're labor troubles in the mines requr-
ing organization for settlement.
year ago all classes of labor were given an in
crease Of wages voluntarily. Again. on January I.
1907, they were given 10 per cent increase. This
was in midwinter. three months before the mining
season began, but 1t has always been the policy
of the operators Of the mines TO take of their
men and 10 have them share in their prosperity.
Ihere are no company stores, but the men get
their pay in cash. There children
ployed; every man can make full time, If he wants
10 work, and they are comfortably housed.
More than this the finest school buildings and
the best schools the most completely equipped
educationally 70 be found in the state. are pro-
vided for their children. and 50 per cent of the
expense of this and OF all the splendid municipal
and social organization on the ranges is paid with
out questioning by the mine owners.
There IS other mining section in the world
where conditions better for the miners. and
they were contented until the agents of the West
ern Federation came among them-professional
agitators, without fealty TO any country. whose
business It is 10 stir UP strife and who haunt the
red flag Of anarchy.
Meeting with little success among tho miners
these stirred up trouble among the dock
workers OF this city. They followed this with
notice the Oliver Iron Mining Company that
unless increased scale of wages granted,
the who had affiliated with their organization
in the mines would strike on July %. This was
dated July 16. Two days later, without notice,
the strike was ordered This Of Itself shows tho
utter unreliability and awless character of these
men.
a large majority OF the miners are believed to be
satisfied and willing TO work, but those who have
joined this Western Federation, under the leader
ship Of these meters crime. marching
through the mines intimidating the other work
men, who nearly all foreigners. ignorant OF tho
ways Of this country and Of their rights.
They threatening the destruction Of property
This be tolerated. and absolutely no recog-
rition that Of tho and swift enforcement
of the Law should be given these men.
They should find very suddenly that Minnesota
is a law abiding state. There should be solidy
united front OF every good citizen against them
and they should be made to feel the weight OF pub
lie Indignation. and the hopeessness Of any effort
TO fasten tho blight OF the Western Federation
upon this fnr state
The authorities should not walt for this strike
10 develop actual violence. II is already threat
ened, and the history of the Colorado and Idaho
mines would warrant immediate action. Every
loon the ranges should be closed a. once, and
sufficient force be provided to insure the pub
lie peace and safety. No who Is law abiding
and intends 10 observe the rights OF others
take the uniform OF the police or the uniform OF
the guard threat He Will rather well
come Il a protection, and those others who
view either menace need this emphatic evil
dence that Minnesota regards them undesira-
BILE citizens, and viii not for minute be awed
by their threats, or suffer their incitement OF
others to crime.
But, first OF all, Governor Johnson should imme-
dately order the saloons closed. and liquor should
be taken out a disturbing factor, and always
the dangerous one.