The copper era., 1907-03-14
New Labor Organization is Formed in
Warren District.


pose the establishment of condi-
tions as they obtained prior to the
advent of the Western Federation of
Miners, and composed entirely of
miners, has been formed in Bisbee.
Officers have been elected, and the
organization started out with heavy
roll of membership. For the greater
part of one day the officers were
busted with the signing of cards and
delivery of them to miners who wish
ed to become members. Each men,
Der is required to sign what is term
ed Il set of resolutions, in which are
set forth the purposes of the asso-
citation.
The name adopted is Bisbee Indus
trial association. No permanent
headquarters have as yet been
chosen, but it is understood that a
movement is on foot to secure quar-
tiers where regular meetings may be
held, and such business as properly
comes before the association trans
acted.
The main object, as set forth in the
platform of the Industrial associa-
tion, is $50 protect the best interests
of citizens of this community" Be
hind this, however, it is stated on
the best of authority that the real
object is to offset the threat of the
Western Federation that all men
who work in the mines in Bisbee and
who do not become members of that
organization are to be branded as
''scabs'' throughout the Federation
Jurisdiction.
One of the men prominently identi-
fed with the Industrial Association
stated that the movement is taken
by the miners of their own free will
and accord, and that the organiza-
tion stands on its own platform and
relies on no backing for its existence.
eve are independent in every par
ticular, and think that we are acting
in perfectly fair and frank man.
ner," said he to a Review representa-
tive. "We have no cause but our
own to fight, and we propose to fight
it in our own way. We can think for
ourselves, and we propose to do so.
eve are not acting, as has been
said, at the instigation of any of the
big companies in this camp, We do
not know as yet what the companies
think of the proposition. But you
may be sure that we are satisfied with
conditions here and are not going to
be told by outsiders what course we
must pursue to remain in Bisbee.
We have been here for years, some of
us, and intend to stay so long as we
can make a satisfactory wage here.
That's the whole thing in a nutshell,
and is all L have to say about it,
The man interviewed had a card in
the new organization, he stated, but
would not divulge the names of the
officers chosen.
A fee of 81 is charged for the
issuance of cards. Whether this
represents an unlimited membership
or a monthly due could not be
learned.
The text of the so-called resolu-
tions, or platform, which is being
signed by applicants for membership
in the Industrial Association, is as
follows:
"TEe Bisbee Industrial Associa-
tion, organized at Bisbee, this Sd day
of. March, 1907.
"Object: To protect the best inter
ests of citizens of this community.
''To uphold law and order, there
being an organization formed in our
midst whose principles are known to
be un-American in practice.
"The mines of this district having
been operated without any labor
troubles for the past twenty-seven
years, and the citizens of this dis
trict being satisfied with the present
conditions existing between employer
and employe, and desiring no changes
of any kind whatsoever, and to fur
Their our own interests, we pledge
ourselves to abide by the above reso-
luton"
Many men not miners were present
at Tammy Hall, who were drawn
thither by the report that 'some-
thing was afoot." The organizers of
the Industrial Association proceeded
their work quietly and openly. 1t
was stated by one of them that none
but miners had signed the resolution
and got cards.
Just what action will now be taken
by the Bisbee Industrial Association
ON one hand, and the Western Fedora
tion on the other, is to be seen. 1t
seems that at least a number OF Bis
bee miners are going to try to get
along without the Western Fedora
tion.-Review.
Man.