The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-08-07
WILL Be NO STRIKE
SAYS R. N. N WADE
Counselled Unions
Against Radical
Action
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW
Portal to Portal the Main Is
sue.-Confer With
Employees
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW
I'm SPITE of the fact that two To-
calls of the International Union of
j Mine. Mill q, Smaltar XNnrIrara

calls of the international Union OF
Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers,
Burke and Mullan. have by an
overwhelming vote declared in favor
of a strike, and that Kellogg union
viii vote on the question today with
strong probability that the result will
favor a strike, the belief Is daily
growing stronger that there will be no
strike. This situation Is in great
measure explained in the fact that the
vote by the unions was taken in di-
rect opposition to the advice ami
counsel of Robert M. McWade, who Is
here as the representative of the de-
partment Of labor for the purpose of
adjusting the differences between the
operators and the miners and espe-
cially to prevent a strike. He Is in the
midst of negotiations which he hopes
will solve the very difficult problems
with which he has to deal, and 1t Is
evident that the constant talk of
striking and voting on the question Of
walking out tend to embamass him In
his efforts and make his task more
difficult, Mr.. McWade says there will
be no strike, which Is taken to mean
tEat he has the support of the Inter
national union in his efforts to effect
a cancellation and that the general ex-
eoutive officers of the union will not
sanction strike called by local bod
les while his negotiations for peace
ful settlement are pending.
Another feature of the situation
that strengthens the belief that a
strike will not be pulled off, Is the
attitude of many members Of the
union themselves. Many of them who
participated in the voting do not ap-
pear to have taken the matter seri-
ously and are said to have voted for
the strike more as a matter of keep
ing peace in the family" rather than
with a desire to cali strike. It Is
true that on the face of the returns.
the sentiment of the unions voting ia
practically unanimous for a strike. but
back of the returns 1t is claimed by
those in close touch with union affairs
that there is a strong sentiment op-
posed to this radical action and which
is making it's influence felt.
Although 1t was stated by one of the
speakers at the recent union demon
stration in this city that the Butte
scale and other concessions would be
demanded in the Coeur d'Alene dis
trict, no formal demand has been
made, and it Is therefore assumed that
the three original demands still stand
namely: An increase in wages of so
cents per day; eight hours from por-
tai to portal" and recognition of the
union. The first of these has been re-
moved from controversy by the ad-
vance in wages of so cents per day,
which became effective on July 16, be-
ing a restoration of the war scale 1t
Is believed now that the real bone of
contention is the portal to portal
proposition. AS matter of interest
ing information at this time the Idaho
ployes is here given:
Sec. 1863. The period of employ
ment of workmen in all underground
mines or workings shall be eight hours
per day, except in cases of emergency
where life or property is in imminent
danger"
The Miner makes no attempt to in
terpret the law in it's practical appli-
cation to underground work. This pa
per Is convinced, however, that IL this
question could be satisfa ctorily set
tied, there would be an immediate end
to the controversy that has disturbed
the district for the past few months.
This might be brought about by con-
ceding the portal to portal' conten-
ton, or by mutual concessions.
The mining companies are a unit in
their refusal to recognize the union,
and there is not the slightest indca-
tion, so far as can be learned that any
Of them have or will modify their po-
sition in that respect. They stated in
the beginning that they were ready at
any time to meet and confer with their
employees regarding working condi-
tions, and 1t was learned Yesterday
that steps are being taken to carry
this proposal into effect, each man-
ager to deal with his own employees,
but not as the representativ Of any
If this plan is carried