The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1917-06-22
SOLDIERS PATROL
BUTTE ENVIR0NS
N II A R-STR1KE AGITATION IS
CAUSE OF SHUT DOWN
OF TWO MINES,
Fifteen Hundred Troops Go Into
Camp in Environs of Copper Me-
tlOpolis; Employers Issue State
ment; Mayor Maloney is Handling
Situation Well,

Fifteen hundred soldiers, equipped
for stern business, are in and about
Butte. They are in camp out on the
flat, up on Butte hill, on the west
side, and on the slopes that lead to
Columbia Gardens. Ostensibly they
are just out for a practice march, to
fit themselves for the more ardu-ous
duties that will be their portion a
few months from now, on the battle
fields of Flanders In reality they
are watching the l. w. w. movement,
which assumed serious aspect few
days ago.
For weeks members of the 1. w.
w. have been congregating in Butte,
coming from every section of the
west. Their activities finally crystal
lied in the formation of the Metal
Mine Workers Union. At the organ
ization meeting some of the extrem-
lists were in favor of demanding that
miners of Butte strike for raise in
wages. One element wanted IS
day. Another was in favor of de-
handing 81. And although no FORM
al demand was made on the mining
| operators. several hundred men. by
agreement, did not report for work.
In consequence of this action two
mines, the Elm Orlu and the Davis
Daily were shut down, while at sew
eral other properties the working
force was not up to full strength.
Employers Statement.
There was much ugly talk, and it
looked, for a time, as though the re-
dictionaries were in the saddle and
serious tieup of the copper producing
properties was possible, but the En-
ployers' association has issued
statement, the conclusion of which
is as follows:
''The disturbing element by threats
to destroy the property, fire the
mines and do violence to employees
, who wish to work has caused num-
Der of men to remain home. This
detection so far as has not been seri-
GUS and cannot be, as the mine oper-
ators and the people of Butte gener-
ally are determined not to permit a
repetition of our former experience.
"The mine operators intend to give
their employees the opportunity,
which the great bulk of them desire,
to continue at their work. Every
possible measure of protection will
be given to the employees by the oper-
atOrs and by governmental authOrit-
les, and there should be no anxiety or
fear on their part of injury while go
ing to, or coming from, or attending
their work.
'The Butte mines will continue to
be operated The miners of Butte
will not permit comparatively small
band of cowardly agitators and nom
workers to deprive them of their
livelihood and drive them from their
homes, but such protection as they
require will be furnished them"
The promise of protection by gov
eminent authorities" was followed by
the appearance of the troops. The
soldiers came quietly and this is the
first mention in the newspapers of
their advent.
Mayors Firm stand.
Buttes new mayor, William. Ma
loney, who demonstrated a commend
able firmness on several trying situa-
tions recently, refused to allow the
disaffected to parade, and gave out
the following statement:
"The I. w. w. cannot run this
town and their trouble breeding will
not be tolerated here. If any trouble
starts the city will finish in the lead
and the l. w. w. will be anxious to
get as far away from Butte as rail-
road train can carry them.
"The terrible disaster at the North
Butte mine has occasioned enough
sorrow to the people of Butte. We al
ready have enough trouble to con-
tend with without trouble from few
outsiders, most of whom are /. w.
W.
Elk RUN HEREFORDS