The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-06-25

Butte Miners union and the attitudes
of both elements toward them is
clearly outlined in the statements here
given. A few days following the out
break. j. c. Lowney, member of the
executive board of the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners, issued the following
statement:
owing to the deplorable occurrence
which took place last Saturday on the
streets of Butte and the general mis-
understanding concerning it's cause,
we believe the following statement ad-
visable:
"The Western Federation of Miners
was organized in this city 81 years
ago. Today its jurisdiction extends
over the metal mines of the North
American continent. 1t is affiliated
with the American Federation of La
Dor. 1t is the only organization of
metal miners. 1t must and will re-
ceive the support Of all organized Ia
Dor against any effort to disrupt 1t.
1t has done more than any other sim
gle labor organization, against ire
mendous odds, to improve the condi-
tions Of the workers by putting short
er working days on the statute books
Of the metal mining states, and other
improved conditions. 1t can not re-
linquish one iota of it's jurisdiction in
Butte because organized labor will de-
mand that 1t maintain that jurisdic-
ton, and any serious opposition will
be all the more deplorable because
there can be but one ultimate out
come, the maintenance of the Western
Federation of Miners intact or the
complete destruction of organized la
Dor in this community.
"As to the local situation, there was
nothing concerning the conduct Of the
Butte Miners union which, il unsat-
have been easily adjusted by the mem
bers. In addition to the 81 assess
ment levied on the membership Of the
Western Federation of Miners, several
local unions, including the engineers
of this city, the Occur d'Alene unions
and few unions in British Columbia
levied an additional amount, so thai
the whole would constitute a days
wage assessment each month during
the continuance Of the Michigan
strike.
"On normal membership Of 7oo'
members in the Butte Miners union
on a 50 basis, the total levy would b
$4,000. The Butte Miners uniol
paid only $4,000, less than 81 pc
capita. The plumbers union Of Butt
paid more than 81 a month to tn
Michigan strike fund, and the othe
unions assessed themselves contnu
ally for the same purpose, the engin
GERS contributing more than doubl
the miners per capita.
1.-THE majority Of those comprisin!
the so-called insurgents are thos
who went delinquent during the win
ter and are the principal complain
ants at this time, among them on
Mcdonald, who has not paid anything
for more than 10 months.
"The members of the Butte Miners
union could have relieved themselves
of the local portion Of the assessmen
at any time they desired. The loca
officers may have been negligent IL
permitting so many members to go de
linquent, but the Butte Miners union
which rectifed any wrongs commit
ted by it's officers or members during
the past SO years, had the power. tt
do so now.
Labor organizations can not toler
ate anarchy in the conduct of theil
business any more than the state can
There is a certain element in this
community whose ranks have recent
ly been recruited from the outside
who are directing, and are response
BILE for, the disturbed conditions now
existing here. We do not believe the
working men Of this city want an
other Goldfield in Butte.
I'VE are about to witness th'
strangest spectacle ever pulled off ii
any community, workingmen votinf
for the open shop. The struggle II
Colorado, West Virginia, Michigan
and on the Hartman railroads is AM
was for the closed shop. 1t is the onl.
security for peaceable conditions.
"The Butte Miners union No. l o
the Western Federation Of Miners vii
continue to do business as the onl.
legitimate organization Of the miner
of this district Their agreement
with the employers will insure tn
certainty that no one else can be EN-
ployed but those who are members Q
No. /. We believe that no employe
will care to establish the precedent Q
; violating an agreement. We appeal t
the common sense of the workingme
of this community to restore the har
, mony which should exist in the rank
/ of oruon iznd 1ahnr