The Judge Sides With the Receiver: Gilman Miners Lose Their Wage Petition

Judge Langley heard the petition of the Gilman miners, presented by John Bassett, asking for an order directing Receiver John H. Bryant of the Seattle Coal and Iron Company to restore wages that had been in effect before Bryant's appointment. The court dismissed the petition without taking evidence. The judge said the company had been found insolvent, no receiver had been asked for, and the court was satisfied Bryant was competent to manage the property. If there was a difference between the wages paid and what the men believed just, they should apply to the receiver; until that course was exhausted the court could not intervene. He had no doubt the receiver would consider an increase if the mine was prosperous and paying. The receiver must first pay expenses out of the property's earnings; any surplus should go to wages due for services found unpaid when he was appointed. There could be only one management of the property, and the court must rely on its receiver. As to the company store, the judge held that the company had a perfect right to keep a store, but no right to withhold a man's wages and compel him to trade there to his injury. A man was entitled to his money after earning it and to spend it where he pleased. He assumed no such complaint had been made. As to the hospital fund, if the amount mentioned was the only surplus in the fund it was very small; money collected from the men was a separate fund and was to be used for the benefit of employees. On the dismissal of men, the judge presumed no one was discharged without cause; employment and dismissal must be left to management. He remarked that political agitators could cause mischief, and if he had charge of the company's affairs and one were employed he would manage to get rid of him. He did not know General Bryant's politics and said politics would not enter the matter. Every man, however lowly, could come into court for redress, but he saw no reason to issue an order; the parties' best interests would be served by coming together and talking matters over rather than invoking the court. He dismissed the case with expressions of kindness toward the receiver and the men who labored faithfully underground, expressing hope their differences would be adjusted.