The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-23
COREY FACES MINERS STRIKE
WESTERN FEDERATION STOPS
WORK OF 10000 MEN.
Demands on the Oliver Iron slininx Co.. IN
Minnesota for q Raise OF wages within
Ten Days Followed by . strike within
90 Hours--stee, Directors Consider II.

Of the United States Steel Corporation
Yesterday for the first time since his mar
rage and just in time to take up one Of
the most serious matters Of executive man.
agerent that has turned up Of late. II
he can handle II successfully the talk OF
forcing him to resign will be quieted for
come time TO come.
More than 10000 OF the company's miners
IN us richest iron ore fields in tho Lake
Superior district have struck for higher
wages This 10 the company's active min
ing season, when the supplies are drawn
from the felds to last through the winter
months
The meeting at tho company's Offices
az II Broadway lasted the greater part OF
the day and was attended by more than
a score Of directors and officials. Although
the strike was the main topic, nothing was
given out as to % plans to cope with it
or whether any concessions were to zoe
ohered to the strikers
The strke was brought about by MEM
hers Of Minnesota District Union No. II
II the Western Federation Of Miners. the
sam organization that Meyer. Haywood
and Pettibone are the leaders Of
The only thin8 that the steel men gave
out was a letter from the miners making
their demands and a list OF questions the
company sent TO Thomas F. Cole, presi-
dent Of the Oliver Iron Mining Company,
The subsidiary which handles Nhe mines
in that region. and the answers received
from him.
The questions were IN attempt TO find
out why il was t.lat although the miners
letter dated July IS gave the company zen
days to make reply to the demands the
strike Was ordered two days later. Ao-
cording to the answers the only justifica-
ton for this action was that receipt Of tho
miners letter was not acknowledged.
This and the fact that the letter deliver
ing the ultimatum was sent without any
previous negotiations or communications
of any kind is the corporations main grew
ance
The letter. which is signed by Teoflo
Petriella. acting secretary of the local
union. e~ncloses the following resolutions
adopted by miners at a meeting on July IS:
Whereas through a refer endum vote the
Us per cent. Of the members OF the W. +. NJ.
IN Minnesota have adopted a constitution
which provides for a scale and a system OF
wages;
Whereas the rs per cent. Of the members
Of the District Union are employed in and
around the mines owned by the oliver Iron
Mining Company;
Whereas the Oliver Iron Mining Company,
Notwithstanding the large profits which clear
right along, pays wages scarcely enough TO
buy the neoessaries Of life;
Ez--a. ~. .tA-- -
corporation organized themselves into a
labor union TO get better conditions Of life;
belt
Rosolred. That we, the special committee
appointed by the Minnesota District Union II,
W. F. NJ. demand TO the oliver Iron Mining
Company that our labor be paid at the follow
ing rate OF wages and that the contract and
bonus systems be abolished.
RATE OF WAGES.
Two dollars and fifty cents for an eight
hour shift on surface works.
Three dollars for an eight hour shift on
underground works.
Three dollars for an eight hour shift for
fring. pumping. shop and bla ksmIth works
or any other skilled work not mentioned
herein.
Five dollars for an eight hour shift for
engineering and mechanical works. And
he II further
Rcsolrcd. That IL these demands are not
granted within ten days. on the goth Of July.
The members Of the W. +. NJ. shall quit work.
Ina in and around all the mines owned by
The Oliver iron Mining Company in the state
# Minnesota.
The Special Committee:
NATALIE ID S~TRrASo, Adams Mine.
ANDREW TAKALA, Mount Iron Pit.
AATA HEIskASEN, Higgins Mine.
FRANK LucAs. Glen Mine. .
OSCAR G~UIKKINAN, Burt Mine.
The letter closes by saying that II any
member OF tho union be discharged from
work for his connection with the organiza-
ton the strike will be called at once.
In answer TO a question by telegraph
from here Mr.. Cole replied hat not a man
was discharged between the time Of the
receipt OF the letter and the posting Of the
strike notice. Independent mining com
panies Of the district nave been affected
by the strike. MIR. Cole said. however.
that he had received direct information OF
"a strike notice being posted in only one OF
he independent concerns. the Stevenson
mine.
The only comment ON the matter in the
~company's statement Is as follows:
The communication. which came not from
- ,ompany's employees az such but from
lie Western Federation OF Miners. states
hat " the demands were not granted within
zen DAYS. on the 10th OF July. the members
NJ the Western Federation OF Miner would
.uit work
Without any further communication hav-
< been received from the Western Fedora
ION Of Miners and before any reply Of any
hind whatsoever was or CoulC have been
wade 10 the Western Federation Of Miners.
nd on the night OF July n and the morning
he goth. OF within thirty-six hours Of the
feneipt OF the communication none of their