OCR Text |
Show 1 Butte Mine Workers' Union Statement In Reply to that of Mining Companies that Recognition Would be Denied. Both Unions. Companies hot Called on to Take Sides. Dutte, Sept. 11. The Datto Mlno Workers' union Issued a statement Into last night through Its executive committee In roplyf to tho statement of tho mining companies of Dutto that recognition would be denied either eith-er tho Western Federation of Miners or tho Dutto Mlno Workers union. "So far ns tho Dutto Mlno Workers Work-ers union knows," says tho statement, state-ment, "tho companies that signed tho statement denying recognition were not called upon to tako sides in tho controversy; on tho contrnry representatives repre-sentatives of tho all Incluslvo mining min-ing octopus, known as tho Anaconda Copper Mining company, assured tho executive commltteo ot the Butto Mlno Workers union that thoy stood positively neutral and would take, no. hand In tho matter of. tho jurisdiction jurisdic-tion ot tho underground workers. How well thoy fulfilled their policy as stated to the oxecuttve committee, commit-tee, has been well exemplified in tho activities ot tho company during the last ten days." Companies Contention Denied Tho contention ot tho companies that recognition Is to bo denied both factions becauso tho radical action taken by tho mlno workers was BUch that mining operations could not bo conducted Is denied, tho mlno workers work-ers declaring tho accusations ot tho operators "aro not specific nnd thero has been a vast army ot good experienced experi-enced miners ready to carry on mining min-ing operations." "If thero existed a condition under which mining operations could not bo carried on," continues tho statement, state-ment, "it Is not mado 'clear by the operators' statement what this con- dltlon Is. Wo extend our hoartlcst thanks to tho various companies for tho assurance they will not violate tho eight hour law of this stnto and for tho further assurance that they wilt not reduco tho wages ot underground under-ground workers below the schedule of $3.50 per day, which Is a lowor schedule, when measured by what It will purchase, than that of tho Chi-ncso Chi-ncso coolie who receives 9 cents' a day. Cost of Living In Butte "A Joint committee of tho trades and labor council, nnd tho Butto Business Mon's association has so-cured so-cured data showing that a miner in this camp with it family ot four could not live for less than $96 a month; so It Is quite evident that the mining min-ing companies cannot do other thai pay that amount to its employees. "Unless conditions under which the many thousands of Butto miners are compelled to work year after year are corrected, thoy never can expect a settled condition or a contented working work-ing class In this community; thore Is no denying this Issue. " |