The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-02-13
SILVER REEF.
The Situation at the Camp of
Limestone.
How the Strike 0riginated-The
Outlook.
The Union Will Give In-The Oh
jeot of the Decrease.
SILVER REEF. Feb. 9th, 'S1.

j SILVER REEF, Feb. 9th, 'S1.
Editors Herald:
All is very quiet. The StormonI
company discharged all miners, and
mill hands on the 1st inst.
The mill WAS running ten stsmps
and crushing about eight tons of ore
daily, Wnich had to be hauled an
average of ak miles. The forces in
men and teams employed By that
company more than equalled that Of
the other companies.
The Barbee discharged nearly sll
Its miners, making altogether about
three-fourths OF the working forces
that are thrown out OF employment.
OF these at least one-third have a.
ready left the camp. The others
are generally idle and throng the
streets, saloons and gaming places,
and in squads discuss the situation.
AS much business was done with the
miners on credit, considerable amounts
have been lost by the begira and
more will ensue. Many OF the miners
spend as they 60, and in fact gener-
ally owe the most OF their wages
when pay day comes, and yet there
are many honorable exceptions. At
present trade is psralyzed. Men who
rent buildings for stores and their
clerks, are running behind, unless
very lucky. There is no probability
of change this month. II an under.
stan ding Is come ct and men are all
put to work by the LIST Of March, it
will be q month, then, before money
matters improve. 80 business will
be sEagnant, certainly, through Febru-
AIRY and March and merchants will
not generally be able to meet their
paper at mAturity-Rhile their goods
are in their stores unsold.
II cannot be reasonably expected
that the company will yield to the
demans of the miners, however much
it might generally be desired
for they took such action
fully understanding the position
and will not start up until
they can do go upon their own
terms and then the other COM
panies will fall into lines and make
wages the same. In fact, it was the
Christie and Barbee companies (.u-
perintendepts) who first sgitated the |
reduction of wages question, but as
the Stormont Company was deter.
mined to take action, these have
stood back to avoid the expense, loss
and odium, and assume to stand in |
With the miners at 81 per day.
1t is thought by thinking men,
who look the situation square in the |
face, that within thirty to sixty days |
The miners union will be deci ~ated !
BY desertion, and the small RENAL.
will be so we'll starved out that t..
will be glad to work at wages offered,
And in fact, half of the number would |
gladly do 60 now il they could peace
ably.
There is really no shortening in |
Inc mines, their yield is ample and |
up 20 the quantity aud quality as
and the companies could |
continue to pay So heretofore and |
keep good dividends. but the wages
are too high to work the millions |
Of tons OF low grade ore and it is
argued that should wages be put |
Town 10 what ia usual in other parts
of Utah, mills of large capacity to |
work these oies would be established |
and the prosperity of the camp |
adVAnced-ot course the
men have another side view |
and hold on and up, in the hopes |
hat capital will yield-and thus the |
pest camp in Utah is befogged, be-
,almed and in a state of painful
inactivity, damaging to every party !
interested.
Many OF the miners are educated |
and OF gentlemanly polish and one is
to see them after emerging
rom the labor costume, when the
pick and shovel are at rest. Many
are intelligent. well read and we'll
posted in politics and to the news of
The day.
Many of the citizens here are
preparing 10 ornament their homes
with gardens, trees. shrubbery and
flowers, while their houses are feceiv'
ing careful improvement and facility
10 comfort. ].