The Irish standard., 1914-08-22

SATURDAY, AUGl
any might be assented to as temp
orary war measure, but he did be-
lieve that men should not surrender
their right to organize, and in the
course of his remarks said as much.
These expressions while not entirely
satisfactory to the union people,
highly displeased the representatives
of the company, and when Bishop
Busch later on requested that an ef-
fort be made to close down the mine
on Sunday, he received but little con-
sideration. While Sunday work was
supposedly made optional, the word
was sent to the workers through the
shift bosses that Sunday observance
would not be obligatry," which sig
nified that the one who chose to reg
ularly take his Sunday off would be
Disseminated against and such, as
a matter of fact. happened in the
course of time. When at another
time the Bishop asked the Superin-
tendent II Catholic worgingmen's
guild would be form of organiza-
ton acceptable to the company, he
was told that there are organiza-
lions enough already"
The fear of the rise of some men
ace to its absolute rule lis at the basis
of the company's actions in all these
matters. It is that which explains
the diligence of its detective force. 1t
is that which causes such an exact
description of the workers to be kept
on record in the company's Office
"for purposes of Identification in
case of accidents" as Mr.. Irwin,
chief of the employment department
said, "and to secure better men ac-
cording to the company's view." That
is the reason that English-speaking
workers are favored, only certain
percentage of foreigners being al
lowed in the mine. In case all the
workers were off every Sunday it is
feared that these regular intervals
of rest would allow opportunity for
agitation and organization among
them. To keep them continually at
work, thus directing their attention
away from thoughts of independence,
is the policy which the company has
thought wise to adopt. even though
such policy conflicts with the higher
interests of the working people.
The superintendent, in his final
testimony, endeavored to establish
by implication the idea that the
Bishop had endeavored to secure a
dominating position in Lead by in
PRODUCING the rules of the guild at
Chicoutimi, Can, which Bishop
Busch had given to him, and the
company's organ piped similar tune
in it's regard, saying that it showed
1.-The cause OF the animus the Bishop
has displayed toward the Homestake
management and toward his own
people here who have been in little
or no accord with him" This, as
matter of fact. was misrepresenta-
ton of the Bishops attitude and is
but one instance of the nature of the
attacks made upon him since he
Iofx, ha The
paper has scathingly denounced him,
saving that there never would be
peace until he had been removed
from the diocese of Lead. In the in
dignation meeting held after the
Milwaukee convention and on many
other occasions so-called Catholic
business men, tools and satellites OF
the company, denounced him in the
most disrespectful and insulting
terms. This is but the natural re-
seult Of the policy adopted at Lead.
Industrial absolutism will not be in
terfeared with, no matter by what
force.
One business man, in talking to
the Bureaus representative, told him
that the superintendent was not SO
much TO blame for the bad condt-
tions there as the men under him,
particularly the company's attorney.
Other stories have not agreed in that
regard. However that may be, the
placing of absolute power in the
hands of one man in industrial mat
tiers is undesirable. 1t may lead to
great abuses. as in this case OF Bish-
op Busch, and should not be allowed
to continue where it exists. 10 the
Bishop of Lead the American people
owe a debt of gratitude for having
directed their attention to the con-
ditions existing in his city and to the
evil results which flow therefrom.
C. B. of G.. V.