Amador ledger., 1909-05-21
MINERS STRIKE
Declared On and Off in
One Week.
The Mines again in Ooeration


the Jackson Miners Union, associated
with the Western Federation, de-
olared a strike against the Kennedy,
Argonaut and Ieila mines. Type
written notices we're posted up in two
or thee places about town to that
effect. The following is a copy of
the notices posted:
10 Whom 1t May Concern:
Having refused to grant to the un-
derground men, the eIght-houI day,
in compliance with the state law of
California, and having refused TO
meet and discuss the differences be-
tween their EMPLOYEES and them
selves: We the mem bers of Jeckson
Miners Union No. ll5 of the Western
Federation OF Miners as part of said
employees, do hereby call an official
strike, against the Kennedy Mining
Company, Tho Zeila Mining Com.
pany, and the Argonaut Mining Com
pany, operating in Amador county,
California, and call upon all men to
desist from work IN any capacity, for
the above companies until such time
as the eight-hour day is granted
them.
Ibis strike is called after repeated
attempts on the part of the men in
volved to bring about peaeeable adj
justment of the difficulty between
their employers and themselves; and
the refusal of the companies to treat
with them in any manner, and de-
manding both ways and lunch on the
same time, in contraventlon Of the
law, forces the resorting to drastic
measures on the part of the men in
voIved. for the protection of their
rights and the enforcement of the
law.
BY order jackson Miners Union
No. lis.
THOS, CORRA,
Acting Secretary.
J. II. HUTCHINSON,
Executive Board Member w. f.. M.
1t is singular that the only names
signed to this document are the two
delegates from the outside, Jos.
Hutchinson, who is member of the
executive of W. f. M. and Thos.
Cora, who is acting secretary of the
jackson Union, since e. Datson, the
regularly elected secretary resigned
his position last week, on account of
wrangles growing out OF the present
trouble. ! he notices did not have
an appreciable effect upon the situa-
tion. Certainly the declaration of
strike neither enticed those at work
to quit, nor deferred others from 60
ing to work who we're so disposed.
1t weakened the cause of the strikers
rather than helped them. The
truth is public opinion is strongly
against the men tor quitting work in
the way they did. The questions III
dispute are not capable of settle
ment by strike methods. Neither
concessions by the mine owners, nor
the giving in Of the mine workers
will definitely settle the issues in
volved. They are matters for the
courts to decide. 1t is merely a
question of the proper interpIe-
tation of the law. and the courts are
specially instituted for that purpose.
The Kennedy has Jared better
than other mine hereabouts. Its
works are inclosed by good fence,
and armed guards are stationed at
different points to prevent tIespass-
ing. They have their own boardiugd
house and sleeping rooms sufficient
to accommodate nearly 100 men.
tuesday they had force of 40 Inen
underground.
The Argonaut force was reduced
Monday. No one was working un-
the repair crew having
been induced by intimidation to
quit. At the Zeila the same condi-
tion prevailed. Nothing doing be-
yond keeping out the water.
Both Monday and tuesday morn
ings crowd of Austrians aud |
Italians gathered for the purpose of
the few men on their
way to the Kennedy. The Kennedy |
grade was picketed in this way, also |
the trail through the Piccardo field. |
Sheriff Gregory and his deputy w.
Connors. also constable Laverone,
we're also out to see that no violation
of the law was made. 1t must be
that the firm stand OF the
officers in this emergency had a
effect in deterrlng the
strikers from attempts at violence.
When a man appeared on his way to
work at the mine, the strikers would
ine up across his path. He was
hereby compelled to push his way
through, or stop to be talked to by