p. 8 (408) | THE COST OF STRIKES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 29, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 26.

THE COST OF STRIKES.

THE Denver Republican estimates the cost of strikes in the state of Colorado during the past sixteen months at $23,000,000. The Western Federation of Miners is charged with responsibility for the strife that has affected every business and trade in the state, and caused much bloodshed. The strike originated early in 1903, in an attempt on the part of the federation to force the introduction of an eight-hour day in the mills and smelters of Colorado City, Denver, and Pueblo. With the exception of a few brief periods, the National Guard has been on duty at one point or another ever since.

The Cripple Creek strike began ten months ago. The men were earning on the average $3.25 for eight hours’ work. They had no complaints of their own, but went on strike in obedience to an order from their executive officers, for the purpose of shutting off the ore supply of the mills and smelters, at which an eight-hour day was not granted. In this connection it should be noted that by an overwhelming vote the people of the state had adopted a constitutional amendment, authorizing an eight-hour day for men working in mines, mills, and smelters, but by some means the passage of the law necessary to make the amendment effective was defeated at the ensuing regular session of the legislature. This is the reason given by the executive officers for calling the strike.

In Cripple Creek about 4,000 union miners were called out. Had the question been submitted to the men themselves on a secret ballot, it is asserted that ninety per cent of them would have voted against going out. Many of them have renounced the union and returned to work, the mine-owners, with the exception of the Portland Company, refusing employment to members of the union.

Western Federation officials admit that the loss to Cripple Creek unions through the strike has been $4,000,000, and the total loss in that district, $8,000,000.

The loss through the suspension of work in the Telluride district, which was also a sympathetic strike, is estimated at $2,000,000.

President Campbell, of the Colorado Mine Operators’ Association said that while the cost for the state militia being in the field would possibly reach $1,000,000, the loss to the metalliferous miners, who stopped work, and others forced to quit, would be five times that amount.

The strike of the Southern Colorado coal miners, who are members of the United Mine Workers of America, was ordered for different reasons, and has no relation to the strike at the gold mines.