Montana labor news., 1935-01-10
SECRETARY DERN
BACKS A. c. M.
u AGENT
Anaconda Carpenters Call Os-
borne Outstanding Unionist;
Call His Record 100 Per Cent
Union.

In reply to a request for the re.
moval Of Russell Osborne from the
Fort Peck Police force, the following
letters show the attitude of the Sec
rotary of Wal toward Company Gun
agents and also the definition the
Anaconda Carpenters give for good
unionist.
WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington
December %, 1884
Honorable James z. Murray,
United States Senate,
Washington, D. c.
Dear Senator Murray:
I have given careful consideration tc
your letter of December II, in which
you refer to a number of complaints
submitted to you against the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Russell Osborne to a posi-
ton on the police force on the Fort
Peck project. The opposition to the
appointment of Mr.. Osborne appears
to be based on the allegation that while
Assistant Chief of Police at Anaconda
Montana, he recruited labor to break
a recent strike, and resigned from the
police force at Anaconda when charges
were brought against him.
I find that MI. Osborne is one OF
a number OF the police force on that
project, and that he is performing this
duty to the entire satisfaction of his
employing officer. The position which
he holds is not one in which his actions
could adversely affect the interests OF
organized labor. His discharge appears
TO be asked more as a punishment for
his alleged prior activities, and not be-
cause his present conduct affects any
interest in which organized labor is
concerned.
Aside from the fact that the cor
re~spondence indicates the objection OF
the labor organizations to Osborne
may be based upon rumor and sus-
picion engendered during a period OF
bitter controversy rather than on
proven action calculated to disturb the
public peace and order, it is clear that
the successful prosecution of the great
project at Fort Peck must necessarily
rest on the utilization of efficient en-
ployees in all grades. The appoint
ments to the various positions must
be made solely on the basis of eff
cheney without bais or prejudice.
Ii any allegation is made that the
conduct Of Mr.. Osborne in his present
employment is detrimental to the legi-
innate interests of organized labor or
of any other proper interest, the De-
partment will fully investigate the case
and take the action necessary to main
tain the efficiency and good standing
of all its employees, but it can not dis
miss an employee merely on the ground
that certain labor organizations have
a prejudice against him.
Sincerely yours,
GEO. DERN,
Secretary Of War.
4201 Osborne, RusselD7-2.
Copy
UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF
AMERICA, LOCAL 88,
ANACONDA, MONTANA
Anaconda, Montana,
December l, 1884.
Hon. James E. Murray,
The United States Senate,
Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir:
A member of our local in good stand
ing, Russell Osborne, is now employed
on the police department at Fort
Peck. He has been in this position for
about three months. Prior to that
time he was the Assistant Chief of
Police of the City of Anaconda.
During the recent labor troubles in
Butte and Anaconda, Mr.. Osborne was
accused by one, Adrain Brown, OF
Butte, Montana, of employing strike
breakers for the Anaconda Copper
Mining Company. This same Adrain
Brown is now attempting to secure Mr..
Osborne's position by %contending that
he is unfair to organized labor. We
desire to protest the false charges
brought against Mr.. Osborne by Ad-
rain Brown and ask that you look in
to this matter and protest the rights
Of Mr.. Osborne, who is a good union
man, and whose record as a union mar
is 100 per cent.
Anything you car do for Mr.. Osborne
in his present trouble will be person
ally appreciated by each and every
member OF our Local. Knowing you
have always been a friend of labor, we
are assured that in writing you, you
will protect one of our members, and
will not permit Mr.. Brown to dislodge
Mr.. Osborne from his position in the
false and fraudulent way he is going
about it.
Yours very truly,
LOCAL 88, ANACONDA, MONTANA
A. w. McPHAIL (Signed)
PRESIDENT.
(SEAL)
ATTEST;
Geo. Lempleman, Secretary.
$50
Russell Osborne was proven definitely
to have been a Company gun agent
during the last strike in Butte, Ana
conda and Great Falls. He used his
office as Assistant Chief Of Police to
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