The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-11-20

OIAIl WHI IHnL Vvln
MINES PERMANENTLY
Reported that Gov. Frazier Gave Out
This Interview in Minneapolis
Coal Operators Refuse to Rec.
ognize Right of Governor.
The coal mines of North Dakota
have been operated by the state for
about week, very little furore having
been created. Governor Frazier sent
q state representative to each mine,
who is Checking up the records and
keeping track Of the coal shipped out,
instructing the buyers to pay the mon.
ey over to the state.
The mine owners do not recognize
the authority Of the state to operate
their mines and are instructing the
dealers to pay the money to the mine
operators, declaring that the action Of
the governor imperils the constitutions
al rights of. every citizen in North Da-
kota to hold private property.
The Washburn Lignite Coal Co. de-
clares that "the company will carefully
trace up every car of coal that is un-
lawfully seized from our mines and
we warnseverybody who buys it, that
we are not responsible for any sums
paid over to the state and we shall
expect full payment upon all coal un-
lawfully, illegally seized and taken
from this NINE"
Many other mines have taken the
same stand.
Holds Property Rights Imperilled.
IF the governor Of state declares
martial law and seizes any property az
will, all constitutional rights to private
property are in danger and the proper
ty Of every citizen in North Dakota is
imperilled," Mr.. Washburn Of the
Washburn Ignite Coal Co., said. "If
the orderly process of the civil law
is to be defied and obstructed and no
recourse is to be found in the courts
Of that state, this is practically the
end of legal and lawful protection of
property under democratic govern
ment."
No Strike, Says Mr.. Washburn.
Mr.. Washburn said there was no
strike at the Washburn mine, which is
located at Wilton, N. D., and that thu
miners were contented until the pres
ent situation was thrust upon them by
the governor. Mr.. Washburn said:
"The following facts in connection
with the alleged coal strike in North
Dakota should certainly be understood
by the people of that great state.
''Last January, we made a contract
for year with the union in our mine,
fully satisfactory to them and to Mr..
brennan, the present leader of the
strike. We have never had any dis
agreement with our men. We acceded
willingly to their request that union
be formed, and we have dealt with
them without the slightest friction up
to the present time. We have always
regarded large wealth as a trust to be
administered for the benefit of both
labor and capital alike.
Declares Men Were Contented.
cit should be understood that the
miners of North Dakota were not call
ed out on the great general coal strike
at all. They were fully satisfied and
the various mines of the state were
turning out the largest output IN its
history to meet the unexpected advent
Of an early winter. Notwithstanding
the fact that the miners were satisfied
and their leader stated there was no
desire to strike, Mr.. brennan was call
ed to Bismarck1and within day Gov
ernor Frazier issued an ultimatum in
which he demanded the wages be rails
ed 60 per cent and thatno coal be ship
ped out Of >the state of North Dakota.
"He also demanded that this ad-
ditiOnal raise should be paid not
to the miners who did the work, !.
but that it should be given at the
end of each month, by check, to
the leader of the union, and it was
stated that it would then be sent to
Montana to be distributed as
strike benefits to small group of
that state.
"These demands are quite impossi-
bic from every point Of view. Until
the war is definitely closed, no change
can be made in labor contgacts without
definitely breaking the federal law and
leaving the operators open to prosecu-
tion by the United States government.
Shortage Blaned on Governor.
"In connection with this ultimatum,
Governor Frazier expressed great dis
tress over the suffering that was about
to befall the citizens Of North Dakota
in case the mines would close. On the
day he made this statement every
mime in North Dakota was running on
full time, the men were fully content
ed and if there is any shortage of fuel
In North Dakota today it is due wholly
to Governor Frazier, who precipitated
the strike and then made use of this
so-called emergency to declare martial
law and seize the n1ineS
1T was called to the attention OF
the governor that the mines could not
Be run at any profit whatsoever with
"a go per cent increase in wages. To
this he answered that corresponding
increase could be made in the price Of
coal to cover this additional expense.
So far as the Washburn Ignite COM
pany is concerned, we do not propose
% voluntarily raise the price Of coal In
% that this large sum Of money may
N taken frnm the citizens nf North