The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-02-05
WRITES TO A LEAD. S. D. PAPER Civ.
ING HISTORY or THE TROUBLE
ALL OPERATIONS ARE SUSPENDED
Once Peaceful and Prosperous Mining
Camp is Hard Hit Because Of Agits-
ton From Outsiders.

~ ~ chiu buat agents Ol the western
Federation Of Miners are at work in
this section trying to Organize the
worknen. In this connection his
tory of the doings OF tins association
in Lead s. d., the place where the
Homestake mine is located is interest.
ing.
In the Daily Call of Lead. S. D.. u
communication. signed "a Mine"
presents some interesting inside facts
about the labor situation at the Home
stake mine. The communication says.
i'm part:
The latter part of September OF
this year, there arrived from Denver.
Col, three persons. Mrs. Langdon. re-
presentive of tho Miners Magazine,
James Kirwan, member OF the execu-
tive hoard OF the Western Federation
of Miners, and Mr.. Tracy. official or
ganizer Of the same organization.
Everythning was peace. quiet and SER
entity in Lead, and Homestake was
running as il always had. men were
content. they worked harmoniously,
satisfied with the conditions under
which they were toiling, their hours
of labor were satisfactory, their pay
as good as that paid for like work any
where, they had good air, good bosses.
and their pay was as sure as fate.
"A few days after their arrival "A
mass meeting was called for the pur-
pose (so 1t was said OF more fully or
ganizing the workers of Lead and Cen
trsl City. The trio mentioned were
the speakers Each one OF the three
assured ms that Lead was known
throughout the country as the model
mining camp They told us we were
working under more favorable condi
tions than existed in any other in the
jurisdiction OF the federation that
our local union was known everywhere
for its charity. benovolence and its
magnificent building They told us
these we've good things, but of no avail.
and in order to have the favor Of the
parent body Western Federation we
must at once organ ize not only indus
trially. but politically as well we
must become class conscious.
Another mass meeting was called
Mr.. Mahoney told his hearers at this
meeting as we'll a. at the regular un
on meeting on the night following
hat right here was camp working
inder the best conditions Of any.that
no had visited. and he understood there
had never been any trouble here be-
ween employer and employees, but with
III this the Western Federation was
lot satisfied and would not be until
very worker here belonged to the fed
ration and thus contributed his share
o the maintenance OF the organization.
n short. IL would either have TO be
union camp or a 'scab' camp. that
lthough the men here seemed 10 be
atisfied with their conditions, they
we're not getting the full product OF
heir labor. and he thought IL about
ime they were asking for more He
i'd not say that this plan of organiza-
ion was for the purpose OF making n
emand for an increase in pay nor for
he ultimate conhscation OF the Home.
take property. but he aid assure them
hat organization and political action
long sooialistio lines would make us 9
he bosses and the other fellow the =
igger, and that man must be soc-
alist 10 be good union man.
The socialist element by this time
onsidered they were sufficiently or
anized TO spring another number ON
he program The resolution stating
70 would not work with non union .
len after Nov. 25. 1909. was the re-
alt ID is true that n great many
len. not socialists. voted for this res
luton. Many were led TO believe 10 d
'ould be used only as bIuff 10 bring u
the hesitant. who required some
'rt Of persuasion. aud that 10 would q
? revoked refore the time specified 9
" its becoming effective. while Others. e
raid OF the abuse and ridicule which 81
ould be heaped upon them did they
oppose. voted with the crowd. p
Committees were now appointed o.
II the purpose OF seeing all non-union ?
en throughout the mine. These re- g
'rte were 20 hattering we were led "a
} believe that long before Nov. 30
wonld be completely or a
.nized and there was absolutely no =
anger or desire for trouble The
,tnni ftaaa that hal fntaxvta...s ~.