Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1907-03-14

'A'A VI tHN a11t' anu CITY AZ
fairs.
With characteristic cunning the
AmalgamntCd endeavored to take
snap judgment on the smeltermen, who
were asking for raise to 1926 for
surface men.
The Amalgamated does not like the
Smcltermcn's union because il spends
too much money on literature and is
independents. in order TO cripple it
the smeltermen's demand was ignored
and an agreement with the miners was
secretly signed by John d. Ryan and
then another special meeting of the
union was called Sunday afternoon to
ratify this agreement. The plan failed,
first because the constitution of the
miners now calls for fat rate of 81
and the 81 Creement called for a slid,
ing scale. Second because the consti-
tuition of the Western Federation of
Miners is opposed to agreements. The
mater is hanging fire but the friends of
the mining companies and business
men Are working zealousiy for its
adoption.
This agreement provides, 1t is said
that 81 shall be paid miners with cop
per above is cents, $3.50 with copper
below that figure. 1t is also provided
that the miners shall sign for five
years and also discourage advances in
wages from smaller unions. The agree.
ment regarding the wage rate shows
that the Amalgamated, which is pay.
ing millions annually in dividends has
no mind TO shoulder the expense of
the raise in wages but will put it on
the consuming portion Of society.
The demands of the smeltermen are
for a fifty cent raise in Great Falls
and Angrido ard twenty-five cent
raise for surface men in Butte. Mr..
Ryan has offered to pay twenty-five
cents more to Great Falls and Ana
cOnda but refuses to consider any in.
crease for Butte. He told the smelter-
mems committee recently that with an
agreement signed with the miners he
could afford to sit back and take it
easy, or words to that effect, so far
as the demands of the other unions are
concerned.
just what will be the outcome of the
present difficulties remains to be seen.
Despite the antagonistic attitude Of
the Amalgamated the smaller unions
continue to demand raise, driven to
il in some instances by the increased
cost Of living growing out of the bus
mess mems combinations.
The Workingmen' union recently
made a demand for $3.50. The gas
company is about the only one which
has refused to grant the increase and
it has notified the public that it will
suspend. The express drivers demand.
ed raise and two big livery stables
took Oft their transfers as result.
The painter and paper hangers arc
out for more money, the carpenters
will ask raise April l. Although the
printing Trades have offered to go
back TO work at their old scale and
arbitrate their differences, which vir-
tually means that the unions would
be beaten, which is almost invariably
the case in arbitrated disputes, the
publishers have paid no attention to
the offer. Just why is not plain. It
is limited that with the newspapers
out Of business the mining companies
stand a better show of bringing the
miners union into line than il other
wise would. The printers are held up
as horrible example of what may
befall any union that sets the powers
that be at defiance.
II is concended in union circles that
were IL not for the phenomenal price
Of copper and the absence Of surplus
stock Of the red metal the Amalga.
mated company would fight out the
question Of n raise at once and break
the miners union IL possible
As the matter stands, however, the
probabilities of tie-up are not great
though the constant jockeying between
the smooth, suave, long-headed, ealcu-
lating director with his years Of Mich.
igan experience TO draw on and tho
miners and smeltcrmen's committees
would seem 10 indicate that the mining
company has plans which are not ap.
parent on the surface.
One encouraging feature Of the situ.
alton is the unanimity with which the
known tools Of the mining company
have been kicked out Of the miners
union.