The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-10-17
Strike Situation
Growing Darker

Federal Lead 20. went out on Stflke
yesterday morning, and the latest re-
port is that the various shafts Of that
company will be entirely shut down
Immediately. In view of the previous
knowledge of what was coming, the
Federal officials attempted to fore
stall such action or the part of em-
ployees by having about $50 head of
mules removed from the workings and
put on pasture.
Just what the idea Is in walking out
of the Federal, while the other mining
companies continue to run, The Times
is not informed, but the strike in the
Federal surely pressages a walk-out
throughout the entire district, as we
understand it the walk-out is in ac-
cordance with, the rulings Of organi-
zed labor, which we also understand
is in control throughout the mining
district.
The reason for the strike seems to
be for an increase of 25 per cent. in
the wage scale, and for recognition of
the union. If the wage scale is now
too low, then a 25 per cent. in
crease is certainly fair enough. The
principal point at issue, however, APP
pears to be recognition of the union,
such recognition having always in the
past been absolutely denied. The
Times is not sufficiently informed as
to the issues of the case to properly
comment on the situation at this time,
so will for the present only produce
the fourteen points demanded by the
union, together with a telegraphic re-
ply that has been received from H. A.
Guest, general manager of the Fed
eral.
Article 1.-The company shall en-
ploy only members of the aforesaid
union and such as will become men,
bers within two weeks.
1.-THE company shall recognize a
committee of its own employees, mem
bers of the aforesaid union; the afore-
said committee to be known as a
grievance committee"
Hit shall be the duty of the
grievance committee" to take up all
grievances with the General Mana
ger and do all possible to get a salts
factory adjustment. Whenever it is
impossible to settle any grievance in
this manner, then said grievance shall
be arranged by committee of three,
said arrangement committee to be Sc
lected as follows: The company shall
choose one member, the employees
shall choose one member, and the two
members shall select third. If it is
not possible for the two to select the
third, then the U. S. Department of
Labor shall select the third member.
The decision of this committee shall
be final and binding.
IV.-There shall be no strikes or
lock- pending the adjustment of
grievances.
V.-Production shall be carried on
incessantly.
VI.-The company shall install
proper sanitary toilets in the mines.
VII.--The company shall install
sanitary drinking fountains in the
mines.
VIII.-The company shall abide by
the State law in regard to drilling
machines.
IX.-The rule of seniority shall ap-
ply in the laying off and employing
of men, viz: The last man hired is to
be the first man fired, and the last one
fired, the first one employed.
X.-The rule of seniority shall ap-
ply in the promotion of employees to
better positions.
XI.-All employees on contract
work shall share alike in remunera-
| ton.
XII.-All men employed on contract
work shall be guaranteed the regu-
lar scale of wages.
XIII.-The wages of all employed
shall be increased 25 per cent; said
increase to date back to Aug. Is, 1919.
XIV.-All men working over 8
hours in any one "a hours shall be
paid at the rate of time and one-half
overtime.
XV.-All Sunday and holiday work
shall be paid at the rate Of double
time, such as New Years, Fourth of
July, Christmas and Labor Day.
J. D. DOWNS,
OSCAR SHEPPARD,
O. E. BROTHERS,
]. H. RUNDEL,
ID. MAURICE,
c. SODERS,
Com. of Federal Employees.
New York, Oct. Ia, 1919.
Mr.. H. D. Washburn,
Referring to fifteen points attached
to your letter of Oct. 2, and your tel
egram of the 18th inst, will reply as
follows: Points 1 to 5, inclusive
Company is agreeable to formation if
committee is representative, and is
made up of union and non-union men
in proportion of union and non-union
men entirely in its employ. But meth
cd of selecting arbitration committee,
and matters that should be left to it,
would have to be clearly outlined and
limited.
Points 6 and COMPANY will look
into matter carefully and arrange
satisfactorily.
Point is being complied with.
Points and 10--Other things be-
ling equal, the Company will give
preference to employing along lines
of seniority, but question of eff
cheney must be taken into considera-
tion.
1 Point IL is a matter for the contraeee-
tor himself to arrange.
| Point 12 has already been complied
with.
4 Point Nothing further can be
lgranted at the present time.