The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-04

come in for their meals, as we'll as in the
morning and evening. There are always
trustworthy inspectors present to see that
everything is properly conducted.
Notwithstanding these precautions a
great deal of thieying goes on. 1t is a prob
lem to the companies how to prevent tnefts
on the part of employees. AS illustrating
the difficulties they have to contend with in
guarding against the dishonesty of work
men, the following rule, adopted two years
ago, may be of interest: Officers OF tine
searching department must understand
that the duties in which they are engaged
are of a preventive nature. Emergencies
may arise when officers will oe required to
perform difficult and dangerous services. In
experimenting thieves and tracing stolen
diamonds. When detailed for this duty Of
ficers must act with zeal and determine
tion." To encourage the zeal of the OH
GERS q reward OF Is per cent. on the value
of the stolen gems was offered to him who
succeeded in recovering them.
During the construction of the new Croton
aqueduct there was no end OF complaints as
to the way in which the contractors treated
the workmen. They established lodging
houses and stores, where the men could get
credit for their daily needs, and even for
whisky, if they were disposed to drink, the
sums they spent being deducted from their
months earnings. Whoever invented the
scheme was a shrewd mon. As most OF the
workmen had anticipated their wages AZ the
contractors stores, he had little actual cash
to disburse on payday.
In the diamond fields Of South Africa the
same system prevails-at least, SO far as the
native workmen are concerned. 1t Is called
there "compounding.' whatever that WORD
may mean. The Compound or barracks,
of the workmen is enclosed by four high
walls, and comprises n spacious dormltorv.
recreation sheds. n hospital and q general
store. The utmost regard is paid to sanl-
tary regulations, and nothing has been left
undone in this respect, no matter how costly
it might have been.
The store is bountifully supplied with
goods bought from the local merchants. and
the miners can purchase whatever they
want upon presenting coupons issued by
the clerk of the mining company. The
average cost of living III the compound"
is about five shiliings n day. The chief diff
ference between this system and that
adopted by tho Croton aqneduct contractors
lies in the fact that no liquor is sold or al-
lowed to be given away III the South Afri-
can stores, while on the line OF tho aque-
duct improvised rum shops were numerous.
The natives know the value of tho cou-
pons issued to them thoroughly, and arc
economical and saving. The compound"
il inspected daily by n physician, 80 that
mines may be preserved. Consequently
most of tho native miners are healthy n
perfectly contented.
II ia different. however, with the white
miners. As n rule they will not consent to
enter u compound" They prefer to live
in houses by themselves, although the ex-
pense is very much greater. Attached to
one of the mines there are about sixty of
these dwellings. forming three sides of n
square, with an open space IN the center.
These buildings were erected at the expense
OF the company. and are comfortably ar
ranged. Wood. water and medical attend
nnce are supplied free. The rent, however,
including taxes, is twenty-five shillings, or
SG.25. n week.
Intelligent white labor receives n higher
compensation than IL given tho native
workman, and. therefore, no complaints
are heard. All this has occurred within
Mr.. Barnato's time, and he has been an i'm
portant factor III evolving tho system. He
has introduced into South Africa q system
of employing the natives In ~remuneratiye
work that might be studied to advantage
by those who are straininR their minds over
the Indian question.