Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-11-30
OPERATORS AND MINERS
AGREE WITH GOVERNOR
AT BILLINGS PARLEY
Stewart Says No Exer-
else of State Authority
Is Likely to Be Requir-
ed in Matter.

All Up to Men; Injunc-
ton Strips Him, Holds.
Billings, Nov. 29.-Montana
coal mines are to be re-opened
next Tuesday, under the federal
regulations announced by Fuel
Administrator Garfield. This
was decided here by representa-
tives of the Montana Coal OPP
orators association after con-
ference with Governor Stewart
and w. ]. Swindlehurst, state
labor commissioner.
In a statement given out at
the conclusion Of the confer
ence, Governor Stewart calls on
the miners to return to work,
declaring that nothing is to be
gained by delaying until a ma
tional agreement has been reach
ed. Protection for all miners
who return to work is guaran-
teed by Governor Stewart. He
adds that he believes no action
looking toward employment of
state authority viii be neces-
s.ary.
Leaders Hands Off.
Whether the miners return
to work depends entirely on the
men themselves, and not on any
action of union officials, Presi-
dent Henry brennan, of this
district of the United Mine
Workers, said, after reading the
statements of the governor and
the operators. The federal in
junction has stripped union Off
cials of all authority, Mr.. Dren-
nan said.
VIII Go On IA Per Cent Increase.
The statement issued by the operators
after their final meeting. tonight. said
that as the government has fixed at ii
per cent the increase the miners are to
receive. the Montana operators win i'm
mediately post notices at the mines. stat
ing that the advance will he granted TO
the Montana miners beginning Tuesday.
+ furthermore, says the statement
the operators will guarantee that all pro-
visions and conditions in the present
agreement with the United Mine Workers
of America are to remain in effect and
that no discrimination against members
Of the miners union will be permitted.
In short, the only change in the present
contract between operators and mine
workers will be the il per cent increase
in wages
Governors Statement.
Governor Stewarts statement fol-
lows;
"The coal mine operators Announce
that they will obey the instructions of
the government to the letter, and they
will post notices advising the miners and
the public of the acceptance of the in
creased wage scale. The notices will
carry the full statement that ali other
matters of contract and agreement here
Ntofore existing between the operators
and the men viii be continued until fur
ther and new agreements are reached on
these points. The Montana operators
will post their notices as soon as possible,
stating they are ready to resume opera
tions on December >, or as soon there
after as miners can be obtained to work
the mines.
In view of the extreme and deplorabIe
shortage of coal and other fuels in the
state of Montana, and in view Of the fact
that no good end can be served by the
Montana miners remaining out il is to be
hoped that the necessities of the oc-
casion will appeal to the humane and
patriotic instincts of the miners and that
they will return to work
Found Absence OF Discord.
ut is admitted by all that the strike
did not grow out of conditions in Mon
tana and did net arise from differences
between the local operators and workers
In the course of my conferences. extend
ing over several days with the represen-
tatiyes of the operators and the miners
discovered an entire absence of discord
between the operators and the miners.
The miners are apparently staying cut
by rason of loyalty 10 the general organ
ization and in the hope of affecting the
general result In my opinion. even from
the miners point Of view. no good ena
can be- served by their remaining ont
They are not Furnishing the operators
but are inflicting untold suffering upon
the public and visiting unnecessary pfi-
walton upon the people OF their "Wh
station in life in the state OF Montana
In Name of Humanity
"The working people OF this state are
to-day hearing the brunt of the suffering
mn account of fuel shortage. As the
strike proceeds. the working men and
their families throughout the length and
breadth Of the state will be the ones who
viii suffer most acutely. This condition
4 hn ~ 4 }.aHs