The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-08-11
BUTTE IS VICTIM
OF LIES ABOUT ITS
STRIKE OF MINERS
Continued From Page I


speeches in between. 10 make my
work M "a newspaper man interest
ing. one friend. who. like myself.
depended largely upon certain
newspapers for his idea OF the
strike situation here. advised me TO
re: n couple OF healthy reyolyers
and a bodyKuard
Finds Butte Quiet
But | was disappointed. found
Butte as quiet today as IL Portland
or Seattle. have been here four
days. and have not seen one riot.
nor have heard one l. W. W.
speech, The strike leaders. ! found.
were the decent sort OF fellows who
thought about the same about the
T. W W. aa did T.
Believe Il or not, as you will. but
it's the truth.
found that the Metal Workers
union. which Is staging the princi-
pal strike. IL firmly opposed TO
violence The union refuses 20
picket the mines or plant street
speakers on the corners because II
fears such action Will promote
violence. The union instruets It's
men not To answer the insults or
to reply TO the blows OF the 1000
hired gunner OF the mining com.
psnics.
Strike is Not Violent
Never before did strikers carry
on a cleaner. n more decent strike.
Tho Metal Mine Workers union
r. no, an I W. W. organization.
A great majority OF its members
disclalm any sympathy for the |.
w. W. Tn. striking miners voted
down n proposition TO affiliate with
the T. W. W. altho they werc as
surcd that such a connection would
give the strikers the backing they
need so much.
Neither IN the Metal Mine Work.
ers' union connected with the In
ternationai MIL. Mine and Smelt~r-
mems union. branch Of the Amer.
lean Federation OF Labor. There
Is branch OF the international
union in Butte. but its members
are not on strike. The Metal Mine
Workers union refused TO affiliate
with the A. p. OF l..
What They Struck for
The strike OF the Metal Mine
Workers union is a direct out.
growth OF the disaster In the Spec.
ula,or mine OF June G. when l62
men were killed. The miners de-
olared the mines were not safe. or.
ganized the Metal Mine Workers
union. and on June IL struck. de-
handing:
That trey pe paid IS = day.
That the "rustiing card" be
abolished. and that the mines
be made safe for the workers.
The mines modified the "rustling
care" and adopted wage scale
which shifted with the price OF cop.
per The miners spurned the com.
promise offer. and are still out.
The "rustling card" which the
men arc determined 90 eliminate.
In system by which the mines are
able TO keep track of all the men
In the district. Each prospective
employe Is compelled 10 fill out
card. containing a record OF his
activities In recent years. The ap.
plicant's record is Investigated. and
finally he is told whether or not he
will be employed The men say
this system enabled the companies
TO blacklist a man. block efforts TO
organize union and exert undue
control over him.
Lay Murder TO Gunner
The murder OF Frank Little has
not brought about rioting in Butte.
II has stirred up deep feeling and
some strike leaders, fearing at.
tcmpts on their own lives, have
been sworn I'm as deputy sheriffs
and are packing guns for self.pro-
lection. a number Of the leaders
are under guard day and night and
sleep in secret places for protec.
ton.
The strikers are certain that
gunner killed Little. and
they are now collecting evidence
TO prove their contention.
This is the Butte labor situation.
MS see It. and have tried TO look
at II without bias or prejudice. For
The sake OF fairness. the men
should not be called l. w. w. nor
should Butte be described as a city
by a mob. with riots
after every meal. Butte IL the
rnrld'a hirpnsf mining cnmn and