The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-08-19
TWO MINES AND
UNIONS AGREE;
TWO IN BREAK
Washburn Ignite Coal Com
pany and Lucky Strike to
Operate-New Contract
CONFERENCE HERE
South Dakota State Mine Rep
resentative Break with
Union Labor

A break between representatives Of
union miners and representatives of
the South Dakota Coal Commission
and the Haynes .Co.. Mining COM
pany occurred at the conference held
here between operators representing
four North Dakota Ignite coal mines
and union leaders for the purpose Of
drafting new working contract
based on the Cleveland strike settle
ment plan. 1t is expected that the
South Dakota state mine at Haynes,
N. D., and the Haynes Coal Co. will
be operated as non-union mines.
An agreement with the union was
signed by the WaA.rburn Ignite Coal
company of Wilton, and P. J. Cahill,
receiver for the Lucky Strike Coal
Co. of Zap. Only the four above
named mines were concerned in the
conference.
The union. leaders were accused by
J. B. Slosson, president of the Haynes
Coal Co., of breaking their contrict
with his company and the South Da-
kota Coal Commission. The contract
under which these mines employed
union labor previous to April !,
1922, when the national coal strike
was called, differed from that of other
union mines. It was continuation
contract providing a scale ranging
for outside men from $500 to $500
per day. Il b..
"The situation was simply this
said Mr.. Slosson. "This contract ex-
pired March 81, 1922, being in force
on that day. The Cleveland agree
ment provided that the miners should
resume work on the basis of wage
contracts existing on March 81, 1922.
We and the South Dakota Coal Com
mission have remained idle all sum-
mer waiting for this settlement. The
union leaders refused to abide by the
Cleveland agreement and resume
work on the basis Of this contract.
They demand a raise of $3.50 pei day
.or day men and $45 a month for
monthly men. We held they should
live up to the contract they had
made with us"
The South Dakota Cbal Commission
was represented by E. O. Rousch,
Superintendent of the mine and a
member Of the commission. He and
Mr.. Slosson retired from the con-
ference.
The unions were represented by
Stephen Ely, chairman of the Mon
tana Federation OF Labor; President
smethson of District No. 27, U. M.
w. A., Of Billings, which district in
cludes North Dakota.
It is understood that operators of
mines along the Great Northern re-
fused to enter into the conference
called here, and that one large mine
at Burlington, formerly union mine,
will operate as non-union mine.
Working at Wilton
Machine men had already been
working in Wilton mines in antici-
patton of signing of agreement and
general mining operations were re-
sumed today, according to word from
there.
Scale of wages obtaining in union
mines varies for various classes OF
labor. Union miners said the scale
provided day wage of $500 and $3.50
for "day men," which includes mule
drivers, timber men, general labor.
ers, ETC., the lowest scale of wages
being $500 per day. Miners receive
95 cents per ton for entry work, 81
cents for room work, $1.09 for fill
er work and other rates for various
classes, earning power depending up
on amount produced.