Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-05-14
Prescription Is Due to
Boast at Manning In
quest That Wages Will
Not Put End to Strikes.
I-eadersWho Never Have
Worked in Mines or
Dwelt in City Behind
Walkouts of Six Years.

Butte. Nav 13.-Officials of mining
companies operating in the Butte district,
in conference Thursday, formulated plans
for a campaign against members OF the
l. W. W. and other radical organizations,
TO drive them out of the district. as
result of the numerous strikes ana dls-
turbances brought about by radical aglta-
tion in the last six years, which culminat-
cd in the strike called April Is
Although plans of the mining COM
panies have not been perfected, 1t was
announced that every precautlon Will be
taken to prevent any men OF the L. W. W.
from securing employment at any OF the
member of the l. w. w. will be employ
ed at this mine," were posted at the
majority of the properties Wednesday.
initial action being taken by the Ana
conda Copper company, the leading com
pany in the Butte field.
Step Regarded as Patriotic.
In connection with the posting OF
notices, John Gilie. manager of the A
=. NJ. properties said:
I'VE have taken this action to protect
our own interests and because we be,
lieve it to be our patriotic duty. We Will
not quit until every |. w. W. and all
other radicals seeking to perpetuate
trouble in this district and advocating
the overthrow ef the government nave
been driven out.
Evidence at the .coroners inquest into
the death of Thomas Manning. who died
from wounds believed TO have been
received in the riot between |. w. w.
strike pickets and mine guards near the
entrance to the Neversweat mine on tue
afternoon of April p, and resolution
adopted at a meeting of Metal Nine
Workers No. 500. |. W. W., last night,
are understood to be the basis of the
mining companies campaign.
Make Peace Impossible.
A. $. Embree and G. w. Sellars, or
canizers for the l. W. w, testified at
The inquest that the object OF the strike
rallied April Is was not merely to secure
wage increases. but to wrest control OF
the mines from the companies and
operate them for the benefit of the
workers.
Wage increases. regardless of the
compensation paid workers by the com
panies. would not put an end to strikes,
they testified. declaring that the 1. w, w,
w. would never be satisfied until the
workers had instituted their own gov
ernment and the workers government
had begun operation of the mines.
Loaf to DispIace Strike.
The resolution calling the strike Off
adopted Wednesday night by Metal Mine
Workers Union No. 800, /. w. w;
urged the men to return to work and
strike on the job" This means work
as little as possible
I. W. w organizers and other radicals
lave caused strike to be called IN the
Butte district each year for the last
six years. simply TO foment discomfort,
mining company officials stated. Strikes
have bcene called in behalf of Thomas
Mooney am like the one just ended,
for the release of all political and in
1ustrial prisoners
Get Strong Hold in War Rush.
Among the leading agitators were men
who never worked day in their lives
in the mines. officials said.
Since 1914. the !. w. W. have made
Butte their headquarters" said Mr. Gil
lie. speaking for the mine operators.
During the war we hired anybody We
could get. because production of copper
could not be stopped. Consequently the
/. W. W. secured a strong hold. We
now proposes to break their grip. They
have repeatedly called strikes and laid
down on the job for no other reason.
The operators in the Butte district have
declared war on the /. w. W. and all
other radicals who believe in their prin-
cipIes. We will not quit until their grip
on Butte has been broken for all time"
Among plans considered by the com
panies. Mr.. Giliie stated was the es-
tabishment of central rustling card
office