The Daily Missoulian., 1914-07-05
(By Louis M. Thayer.)

Putte, July 4 C y. m.)-rhe split
union. the seeding body of miners
which was formed following the riots
Of Miners Union day, when the with
drawal of the insurgents from the
Western Federation Of Miners stirred
all Montana. The division came at
the meeting which had been called for
the Holland arena this afternoon.
AS predicted in these dispatches
earlier in the week. the radical and
conservative elements In the new
union could not long avoid n clash,
The attempted murder Of Mayor Dun
can yesterday, by Eric Lantala, a Finn,
fastened the crisis. Lantala Is be-
lieyed to be affiliated with the |. w. w.
The Holland arena, engaged for the
meeting today, was the scene of the
first meeting of the new union, two
weeks ago. when the independents"
effected their temporary organization.
Five thousand men were present at
that meeting and II was supposed
that fully that number would attend
today. as the mass meeting last Tues
day, sin the Auditorium, gave no indi-
cation of any less enthusiasm In the
seceaers' cause. But. when . o'clock
came this afternoon. there We're not
more than 200 men ut the meeting
place.
President Muckie Macdonald, after
| waiting half an hour, called the meet
Ing Off, issuing this statement. which
was posted on door, outside the
| Na1t N tla a,ttt,
meeting has been postponed until Sun
day, July 10, when n more representa-
| tive meeting can be held. The consti-
tuition will be read at the next regular
meeting and final action taken, Sun
day, July 10
After posting this notice, Macdonald
left the hall. The miners began to
straggle away. But Joe Bradley, vice
president of the new union, and Will
liam O'Brien, one of the powerful
leaders among the seceders, immetli-
ately raised n protest.
O'Brien and Bradley shouted to the
miners to remain They declared the
meeting would be held, after ALL Mae
Donald protested vigorously against
their action. In an instant the mer
of his own faction gathered about hin
and a fight seemed imminent Fists
were shaken under MacDonald's nose;
he was accused of trying gag rule or
the new union. just as 1t had beer
worked on the old. majority of thu
executive committee of 20 seemed tx
favor an Immediate meeting. Mac
Donald left In a huff.
Perhaps a hundred more miners hat
arrived during the quarrel. This dis
cussion had taken place outside thu
J arena and at times the temper ap
! preached the nature OF Il riot. Whel
Macdonald left, the committee re-en
tered the nall Vice President Brad
ley took the chair. Reporters wer
, not admitted, but a statement of tn
new constitution was given out. Thi
constitution was not adopted but wa
read and final action was deferred un
til the meeting of July 10.
Judging from such details of th
session as drifted over the areni
} fence, to the crowd without. the meet
/ ing was warm. William OBrien di
most of the talking. but he was no
|, without opponents. It Is said that tn
. H. w, w. comprised majority of tn
E men present today. Certainly Bradley
, a recognized /. W. w. chief. had tn
2 Iwhip hand. Upon issuing from tn
hall, all concerned were very shy c
Y the waiting reporters and only tn
/. statement of the constitution wa
/ given out.
At least hundred df the men lei
$ the meeting place, to tear the linin
0 out" of the Cahill saloon, In Center
vile. The crowd stood outside th