The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-07-10
Mooney Strike Has
Highly Gratifying
Result
NO WORK FOR |. w. VS.
Number of Strikers Estimated
at About One. Third of Un-
derground Forces

-HE STRIKE by the L. w. w. in
the mines at Mullan on the
Fourth of July, called as a pro-
test against the conviction Of
Mooney for the San Francisco bomb
explosion, was a total failure so far
as a demonstration of sympathy for
Mooney was concerned, but 1t was
successful in accomplishing much
desired result quite opposite to the in
tention of the strike promoters. The
strike was called for five days begin
ming on the Fourth, but as the Hunter
and Morning mines were closed down
on that day and for the two days fol-
lowing and the National closed down
on the 4th and 5th, it was not until
Sunday, when the National started up
that there was anything to indicate
that strike was on. On Sunday
morning pickets were put out to stop
men going to work at the National,
but their work was quickly stopped
by the sheriff's deputies Monday
morning the strikers undertook the
same methods of interfering with men
going to work at the Morning and
Hunter but Sheriff Scott had in the
meantime distributed an adequate
number of deputies in Mullan and in
the vicinity of the mines which pro-
vided ample protection. Notices sign
ed jointly by the Federal Mining
Smelling company and the Gold Hunt
er Mining & Smelling company stat
ed that all men who did not report
for work Monday would receive their
time. This was explained by the man
ayers Of the Morning and Hunter to
mean that they were through with the
l. w. w. and that no members of that
organization would be employed 1t
was not intended to apply to men who
had gone to distant points to cele-
brate the Fourth and had not return
ed on Monday, or perhaps others who
had refrained from going to work
with no intention Of striking, but to
avoid trouble with the strikers Men
in either Of these classes who render
a satisfactory account were sure of
their jobs, but there were no places
for the l. w. w. Both companies
have resolved to get rid Of this law
less and disturbing element and this
Is the outstanding and highly graft
flying result Of the strike.
Probably a Third Went Out.
While no definite figures are avail
able as to the number who went out
on strike as near as can be estimated
the number represented about third
of the underground men. There were
no strikers whatever among the mill
and surface forces at either Of the
three mines. The prompt and efficient
action of Sheriff Scott in having an
adequate force Of deputies on the
ground effectually prevented all dis
order and provided protection to all
who desired to work. The strike was
called for FIVE days as a part of the
widespread effort to intimidate the
courts and those in authority in deal
ign with the Mooney case, and 1t was
far as that purpose was concerned. 1t
did, however, enable the mining COM
panies to spot the agitating, disturb
ing and disloyal element and made 1t
easy for them to adopt measures that
will free the mines from their perni-
cious presence. The "wobblies" evil
IDENTIFY saw the handwriting on the
wall, for many Of them are reported
to have left the district Monday and
Tuesday, many Of them going to
Butte from whence they came The
5-day strike ended Tuesday evening
and yesterday morning considerable
number of them returned to their
Jobs both at the Hunter and Morning
only to find that their services were
no longer desired.
Not a Union Strike.
The rumors Of an impending strike
few weeks ago by the miners union
had no connection with the strike on
the Fourth and was condemned by the
union. It involved no demands what
ever upon the mining companies. Its
purpose was stated in brief notice
in the English and Finnish languages
which said "A strike is now on for al
classes of war prisoners; keep of the
lob until further notice" This notice
to keep Off the job has now been sup
plemented by one from the mining
companies, which insures that the
strikers will be kept of. Outside Of
the "wobbly" element, which is mo-
strong in the district, the determined
action Of the mining companies to re-