The labor world., 1917-04-21

VueIcupOH, w having Snaken OH the
interference of unions, they returned
to their business of getting out iron
ore, quite unaware of the peculiar re-
sponsibilities they had assumed.
From the beginning that has been
the policy of the mining companies
in Minnesota as often as the men
have essayed to follow other leaders.
Twenty years ago: when the Mesa ba
was in its infancy, the Northern Min
eral Workers union appeared, spread
rapidly, brought on strike. The
companies were able not only to sup
press the strike but to break up the
union. They had no patience with
the exasperating processes of a crude
labor organization. In effect they
said: I'VE don't like the leaders you.
have chosen, we won't have them; we
don't fancy your method of present.
ing grievances, we won't admit it; we
can't allow you voice in this busi-
ness, we're attending to all that. Then
they forgot it for another decade.
Ten years ago the Western Fedora
ton of Miners appeared on the range,
spread rapidly, brought on a strike.
The companies suppressed the strike
and crushed the union. Again the
managers said in effect, I'VE won't
have the leaders you appoint, we
won't discuss grievances in the way
you propose, we'll not allow you a
voice-we're running this business
But leaders there must be, griev-
ances> must get aired, the mems part
must be somehow taken. So that the
companies, shutting out participation
of the nen. bound themselves to
sponsorship for them. We will be
your leaders, they said. we will see to
your grievances, we will look out for
/ you. You are sheep, we will be your
Shepherds
For the third time trouble brewed
last summer on the Mesaba. Fifteen
thousand unorganized miners went on
strike at the drop of the hat. This
time, instead of the amateurish Min
era1 Workers, or the turbulent West
ern Federation. the companies found
themselves facing the mischievous;
troublesome, destructive ]. W. w. It
puzzled them. They were dismayed
to see their carefully folded sheep
run after these harsh speaking. loud
voiced strangers. The sheep did not
know the voice of their shepherds.
Had they not been kind! Unques-
tionably: Paced by the Oliver Iron
Mining company. which is the min
ing branch of the United States Steel
corporation, the companies had
abounded in benevolent purposes. In
safety measures their good will has
gone far. beyond any legal require
ments. In civil affairs they have had
benevolent regard for all public i'm
provements and school betterments.
Toward social conditions, they have
provided more modern convenierces
than the miners could be induced to
use. AS to economic relations, this
very strike came on the heels of two
benevolent wage advances, in which
the entire mining industry shared. In
the face of such excellent intentions,
the range blew up. Il. Seventy-five
miles long, from one end of the dis
trlct to the other, the strike ran like
fire. There was tumult and turbu-
lence, not without bloodshed.
What happened was this. The st.
James mine-not steel corporation
property-was being reopened after
long idleness. A small squad of min
ers working by the, ton, which is
called the contract system, were dis
appointed in their earnings They
said the workings were supposed to
be dry; they were half-drowned. They
said the ore was supposed to be
clean; it was half buried. They said
wages were assured them better than
$3 day; they could not make $1.25.
1t is denied by the superintendent
that any such promises had been
made; the men took their contracts
with their eyes open; they should
stand by their agreements Anyhow,
when the crew went to his office for
relief they got no satisfaction. So
they quit. Seeing them go. the sur
face men also threw down their tools.
As they marched to the nearest viii
1age. others fell in line. And without
further provocation, the range ex-
ploded in a general strike.
So far there had not been a prod
tessional agitator in sight. 1t was a.
homegrown ferment at large among
fifteen thousand men without mar
shall or guide. into the gap rushed
the I. W. W., hungry for trouble.
They found the table set for them
and they feasted on it.
Disorder and tumult followed. In
cendiary speeches were made by agi-
tators. Miners who would not join
! were beaten and brow-beaten. Au-
t11ority was flouted, authority struck
back. In one village mass meeting
of best citizens gave decree that every
! miner must be at work next day noon
! or get out of town. Hundreds of
deputies were hired. Meetings were
raided. Persons suspect were ar
rested. Searches and seizures were
made without warrant. Local ordi-
nances were passed aimed at I. w. w.
only, like that in Duluth forbidding
the distribution of hand bills. Sem
tences were imposed suited only to
! disturbers. as when one of them was
sent to three months at labor for
! splitting on the sidewalk Long dis
I'tance murder charges were laid
against three agitators for melting to
violence.
The strike was broken, the organ
ization such as it was dispersed
Meanwhile the companies aim to re-
| sumo their bene violent rule and the
| legislature in a general investigation
is moved to declare it a crime to SOW
| discomfort among peaceable workers;
| the l.. w. w. engage to renew trouble