The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-12-17
OVER PRODUCTION.

The recent heavy decline In copper
an. pests the fact that there 0tner
things besides railroad iron, woolen
and cotton goods and wheat, thai can
he produced in excess of the supply.
The producers of these articles rave
their warero ,ms and granarles 1ui'
and the people do not buy, hence inc
factories and mills NUT be ci''>tu'
and the working people must scratch
as best they may. Some present d
alternative of a cut in wages from ~
to 20 g cent, which in many cases
the operatives, phil. sophically CON
Guiding that a half loaf Is better tnah
no bread, are reluctantly forced TO
accept.
In view of the decline in "copper"
many eastern mining 'urnais ADVISE
producers to 20 slow and not stun An
overfed market. They seem to think
that the present cheapness OF the
metal will result in its being directed
to other uses, which will soon ABSORB
the surplus and relieve the market OF
the glut. Attention has been directed
o the superior quality of roofing ma
terial found in copper. aud producers
are urged to form an organization ior
the purpose of encouraging lts
use for that and other purposes IN
which the metal may be employed.
Brass is one of tue most beautiful OF
metals for useful or ornamental rur-
poses. Cheap copper will undouot-
edly lead to the increased manufac-
tire of that metal. Bnt whether 1t
does or not it is obvious that some.
thing will have to be done to advance
the prise of copper. for over-produc-
ton of this metal leads, to a certain
extent. to the same results that over
nroductiop of other articles of COM
merce.
In the case OF coal mini g the
stoppage of iron works and wooden
aud cotton mills necessitates the
shutting down of coal mines or
another shave on the already low
pay of SO cents a ton. The operators.
which Is the new generic name for
the capitalists engaged in money
making enterprises, can in most
cases afford to remain idle and walt
till things take a better turn. Many
of them are glad of the opportunity
to take a rest, and relieve themselves
of the risks and ~perplexities in suoh
a season of depression. But the work
ing people cannot afford to rest.
They are, happily or u%nhappily,
placed in a position where they must
earn their bread or 60 without, and
they look with great alarm on The
prospect of enforced idleness.
Some have contended that the
remedy lies in more or cheaper
money. Now a scarcity of money
is indicated when it bears a premium,
but the Lending rate in the East is
low, and the purchasing power of
money was perhaps never greater
than at present. There is plenty of
money. thanks to u wise coinage
but over-production and a
market give the people little
opportunity to ear it. What we
want ia new markets for u manu-
features and new uses for u copper.
The world is large and the people r
many. More are unclad than clad,
and As many are hungry as are fed.
Now let our manufactures seek
markets, and let our govern
ment protect and foster commerce
and in supplying the millions abroad
may then give work and a living
to our millions at home. The trade
Of Mexico and the Central and South
states has been neglected,
and while these countries buy their
goods of German OF English manu-
lecturers, American factories are
closed for want of a market.
This is all wrong, but the remedy
does not rest altogether with Con-
yress. In the matter OF copper pre-
1uction the success of those engaged
it will depend more upon certain
adjustments which may be made be-
;ween the employer and the employee
han in national legislation. Indi-
7idual action will go further than
aw-making and ali interested should
'sk themselves if they have not
responsibilities in this matter that
ire far above a desire for ease upon
one side or maximum remunera-
ion upon the other.