The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1907-04-18

In May, 1901. the miners union
at Rossland, b, c., and the Shelter
mems union at Northport WASH,
we're compelled to make stand
against the reduction Of wages,
While the union at Rossland was sue
cessful in maintaining It's organiza-
ton and preventing a reduction the
smetermon's union at Northport was
entirely disputed, These strikes last
ted for period OF nine months dur
ing which time perfect order was
maintained by the men.
The coal mines operated by the
Couw's Nest Pass Coal company we're
the scenes OF another strike the
same year, the miners refusing to
accept a reduction OF wages, A no.
table fact to be mentioned In connec-
ton with this trouble, showing the
hazardous nature OF the occupation
OF mining, was the terrible explo-
sion which resulted in the death OF
1884 men. II was Immediately iol-
lowing the explosion that the COM
pany attempted to reduce wages
In the nature OF things 1t would
seem that the company would have
been compelled to pay a premium
for men to operate its mines. How
ever, when the mines were again
opened, il was at reduced wages.
This reduction was accomplished be-
fore the bodies OF the dead men had
been removed from the mine. In
fact, eight of the bodies were never
recovered.
The Contract System.
The contract system has been the
cause OF much controversy between
the miners and their employers. II
was to abolish this system that the
strike was inaugurated by the Tellu'
ride union in May, 1908. The
smuggler-Union mine at Telluride
was being operated under the con
tract system. A large number OF
men who we're at work found 1t dit
ficult TO make living, many OF them
at the end OF the month having bare
ly enough to pay for their board anC
powder. As soon as the strike was
declared the company made proyi
sion for working their property witt
non-union men. Strike-breakers wer'
employed and tough characters wef'
imported to brighten and intimldat'
the strikers. The company son
verified It's property into averitabl'
arsenal. On one occasion the build
ing where theh miners union wa
holding its meeting, was riddled Wit
bullets and numerous union me-
we're met on the trails and assaulted
This eliminated in fight hetweel
the union and the non-union me-
on the morning Of July 3, resultln
in victory for the union men and
capitulation on the part OF the com
many. A settlement was effected an
scale OF wages and hours formu
lated which was satisfactory to tn
union and managers. This agree
ment was never violated by the min
ers
From 1901 to 1903 many othe
strikes of more or less importanc
occurred in different localities thrc
ught the jurisdiction of the fedeI
alton. During the last few year
there has apparently been concert
ed action on tn part OF the Min
Operators association directed agai
unionlsm, resulting in strikes an
lockouts and making trouble genel
ally. especially in Colorado /
nearly every instance the questio
involved has been the eight-hou
day, and this particularly applies
the state of Colorado, An amend
ment to the constitution there pre-
vidlng for eight-hour day was cal
ried nv a majority of 45,714. 1t pre-
yided that the state legislator
should pass an eight-hour law appl!
ing to all persons employed in mill
shelters and blast-furnaces. Thr'
the manipulation of a lobby mali
tanned by the Colorado Fuel and Iro
Co., and the American Smeltin
& Reflnig company, the legislator
failed to ratify the mandate OF IN
people. The miners, mill and SINE
ter men went on a strike so that POI
ular government could be mail
tained in Colorado. While the eigh
hour de waI the maIn issu
there we're other questions involve
which caused much dissatisfactio
among many OF the employees of u
mining and reduction companies. {
these w.s 80 blanket insurant
system, three per coat Of each man
wages being deducted by the con