The Labor enquirer., 1885-12-05
The Weekly Report Of the Secretary
Coal MINERS HEADQUARTERS OF !
COLORADO, New MEXICO, WYo-
MING AND UTAH, r"E.


COLORADO, New MEXICO, WYo-
MING AND UTAH. j
No new developments of an encourag
: ing nature have occurred within the past
week, and it seems extremely probable
that we have not seen the worst yet
/ The success of labor-saving mining
machines at Franceville has induced
others to plan for their introduction into
Marshall and Louisville, and 1t is hard
tc tell what will be the end of this. The
tendency is to do away with, the labor
o. a large number of men, and to reduce
. the cost of production to a point that
defy all competition from the smaller
companies, Already it is reported to
me by the best of authority that the new
company at Langford are negotiating for
large contract at figures that cannot be
touched by the smaller operators and
only so far as the demand will exceed
thelr output, will these small concerns
be enabled to enter into the market at
all. By no means is this agreeable.
The miners are not the only ones con-
corned in this contemplated change in
the method of mining. 1t will deeply
eject all whose interests and welfare are
in any way coupled with manual labor.
Take away two-thirds of, the men EN-
Iloyed at present, from the mines. and
the business community will become
paralyzed. Allow mining machines to be
substituted for the existing method, and
monopoly of the worst kind will be
created. The business of the smaller
operators will become demoralizad to
such an extent that it is feared they will
seek relief in reduction of wages, or be
virtually compelled to close down.
Messrs. Mckinley & Jones, the con.
tractors that undertook to resume opera
lions at the Louisville mine, upon the
conditions reported in last weeks issue,
have already experienced bitter dis
appointment. They had commenced
Sling up all the ready coal left ia the
'rooms" of the old hands, and were no
doubt calculating upon some grand
schemes to carry out their object, but
nded in imagination On Thursday
about ten o'clock, the hotel where
boardeafwas suddenly visited by a
of3bout men, and Messrs
nley & Jc, > together with an
. that they had brought alorg with
were quietly ordered to depart al
Jones offered plea, but the men
peacefully determined and told
hey would be allowed just ten
IL es to git" Seeing that the men
were not to be trifed with, they imme'
diately began their journey over the
railroad track with their faces towards
Denver, and were escorted by the men
for about half mile. No violence o.
any kind was used, and ali is hushed
The contractors, on their arrival 1n Den
yer, proceeded to the company's head
quarters and threw up their contract
evidently feeling their dignity outraged
by their visit to Louisville. So much
tor their experience.
On Monday, an interview occurred be
tween a committee of the miners anc
one ofthe company, having in view t.
effect an understanding, but nothing wa
settled upon. 1t was learned that tEt
company had no immediate intention
working the mine themselves, but tina
it was possible that it would be worked
under contract by some one else. 1t wa
suggested that the mine could be worked
upon the co operative principle, but th'
suggestion did not meet with favor
Hence tie mine is at standstlll, witt
no immediate prospect Of starting up
Somewhere about eighty men are idle
and there is no chance for them getting
EMPLOYMENT at other mines IN tha
vicinity. They have no means Of goinG
elsewhere, and the winter is upon them
With families dependent upon then
for support, their situation becon es seri
GUS. All aid that can be given them will
he appreciated, and should be sent dlrec
to Robert Lock, Louisville, Boulder
county.
Iwould again respectfully inform mel
that contemplate coming here to keel
away. There is hardly s. dav in the
week passes without men dropping Int
the Office, having travelled far Snd nea
in search of work, and the same dis
couraging tale with all; mo work. ant
money played out" 1would that mel
take warning from the fate o. others
From present indications a large force o
the men that are already here Will D.
compelled to leave and Vacate the prem
ises in favor of "iron" men, or hey mus
never be permitted to come among u.s.
With those Immediately concerned I'd
otestron tor the present shall lest.
JOHN L. LEWIS.
coLa nona hut Union Label cigar