The Labor enquirer., 1885-03-28
The Weekly Report Of the Secretary
Coal MINERS HEADQUARTERS OF !
COLORADO. New MEXICO, WYo- :
MING AND TJThU

COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, NYO-
MING AND UTAH. }
We have had considerable trouble
within the past week at the Marshall
and Fox mines, in Boulder county. By
this time, tam happy to state, the
trouble has been adjusted, the men very
wisely deciding to "choose the least evil
of the two" the men at the Foxymine
have gained many advantages, through
the decisions of the board, not hitherto
conceded them. The Marshall men did
not get out of the difficulty so fortu-
nately, but rather than run the risk of
making matters worse they took our
advice in good faith. circumstances
alter cases." and makes all the difference
in deciding the wisdom of certain
course. What would have been policy
in the fall of the year, would DOT be al
together so when the season is against
us. Keep this fact in view, brethren,
and you will not hsYe cause to regret a
premature move. "DiscretiOn is the
better part of valor."
Intelligence from Blossburg, New
Mexico, shows that Danforth, of the
Colorado Coal and Iron company, is still
in peculiar straits. He sent an italian
blackleg into the Blossburg camp ON the
twentieth with instructions TO get all
the Italian men he could induce to
come to work IN the nine at Ell Moro.
He was to have S. for each man he would
secure. On the evening of the same day
the Italian fraternity assembled and
marched this cur out of town on the
sharp edge of a rail. Upon being prom
isedno further abuse, except being made
to Skip out" he gave DanforGh's whole
scheme away. The Itslians of Bloss-
burg are splendid body of men who
declare they will establish the reputa-
ton oftheir nationality among the work
ing masses of America. l have been
among them, and am satisfied they mean
what they express. My hearty con-
gratulations to the boys of Blossburg...
In the north, the, alllmportant topic
just now is, the move among the opera
tors for reduction in wages during the
summer season. The communication
addressed 10 me last week by the opera
tors secretary has been replied to, and
as l promised in last week. iRsue to give
my version ofthe move, l can do no
better than give copy of my letter right
here:
DENVER, March %, 1885.
L. NJ. Fouts, Esq, Secretary Coal Mining 0p-
orators.
My DEAR SIR: Your communication
of the eighteenth received and contents
noted
You will not be surprised at my saying
that l regret to learn such a resolution
was adopted by meeting Of operators
on the seventeenth.
While I do not wish to dispute but
laboring at slight disadvantage when
placing the product of their mines in
competition with the product of certain
companies operating both south and
west still, it must not be forgotten by
by your body that the miners are placed
at a great disadvantage also, in having
to maintain themselves and their faml-
lies during the summer season upon the
average income Of about ten days work
in each month.
That this fact does not relieve you in
the slightest degree, / am prepared tc
admit; but with equal force can it be
said, neither will reduction in wages
relieve the miners
Indeed l question whether it will re-
lieve the operators one particle, much
less the miners. At all events, fee
satisfied it would be not only mistaken
policy but destructive one for both
sides. While l acknowledge it has beer
customary in some parts of the countr!
to cut down wages and prices during the
dull season, still that does not by any
means settle the advisability of adopting
such policy here. The antiquity of
custom does not determine its wisdom
nor does it show one feature of justice
from a business or economic standpoint
but the result of pursuing such policy
las manifested by the wretched state O.
affairs in the far eastern states) conclu
sively proves that it is the highway tc
business decentralization and socia
DEGRADATION. A similar cause must O.
necessity produce a similar effect here
and before adopting a policy pregnant
with so many evils, 1 would respectfully
request your body to pause and think
before proceeding further on the roac
that your letter indicates,
Since the operators and miners of th'
north so wisely decided, in last October
to abandon the old way ofsettling differ
ences, it behooyes both sides to be eve
wstchful not to insist upon measures
that will result in disturbing the peace
full relations that has since existed.
Should you conclude that you cal
afford just now to cast aside this concllia
tory spirit, by reason of the fact that tn
season of the year is in your favor, ar
you satisfied that you WILL not. be com
mlttiag serious blunder2 Have yo'
not realized the beneficial effects of tn
d 1...t fnnt that tn