The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-28

In the way of local organization fol
the advancement and betterment o.
the condition of labor, Idaho has mo-
as vet attained prominent position
To natural causes this fact may be at
1rfbuted. Until recent years, the de-
velopment Of the state was directed al
most exclusively to mineral and graz
ing resources. Almost every article OF
manufacture, as we'll as natural pro-
ducts, acquired for consumption by the
people was imported. Labor was not
employed in large bodies, and as the
wage was good, the demand equal to
the supply, and fair treatment
accorded to the employer and en-
ployed, the necessity for unions was
not practically felt; and if, in excep-
fional cases, it was made manifest.
action was neglected in the burly OF
mining eXcitements and the golden op-
portunities of the range.
With the advent of the railroads and
the Inauguration of extensive mining
operations, the principles of unionism
began to assert themselves, and are
firmly established, yet outside Of min
ers and railroad men, few trades
IN this state are formally organized at
the present time. In Boise, the capital
of the state, for instance, there is only
one active union-Typograp hical, No.
271, which is in a health condition.
At PocatellO there are loC-I branches
Of almost every national orga nization
of trainmen, while in the Occur d
-AleneS. De Lamar, Silver City, Glib
louisville and other mining districts,
unions exist and are quite generally
recognized 10y the companies operating
the properties. The miners union is,
perhaps, stronger today in the Occur
a. Alenes where the great strike of
1892 occurred than in any other sec
ton of the state. The Bunker Hill and
Sullivan companies are again thinking
of resuming operations at Wardner,
and have made overtures to the union,
so it is reported, with the view of
agreeing upon a satisfactory scale Of
wages. In South Idaho, the following
figures approximately represent the
wages received:
Miners, per day................... 50 90
Underground laborers. ............. , so
SWface laborers OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 90
shift bosses. ..-............S3 % and 90
Carpenters Observation-Disclosures. 90
SlacksmithS Observation-Disclosures. 90
hfillmen az hours 90
Mil laborers 90 hours. ............ . 80
Four years ago the builders trades
had several local unions in Boise City,
and with the printers, Central Labor
Council was organized, which prepared
the draft of labor lien law, which
was passed at the second legislative
session of Idaho 1t is regarded as 4
very just law. and has proven quite
effective. Al the third session, lately
adjourned, another measure in the
same line was enacted, and will serve
10 secure the wages Of men furnishing
supplies TO farmers, and those who
work in the harvest fields where crops
have been previously mOrtgaged. AS
showing the trend of legislation at the
last session, the fact need but be
stated that an emphatic protest was
sent to Congress in the way of a mem
orlai-opposing the railroad pooling
bin, and that no appropriat ton was
made for the support Of the state mill
tia. Two sessions of the legislature
have been held since the Occur d
Alene strikes, and both have refused to
contribute to the maintenance Of a mil
itary arm of the state government. /
On the statutes Of the state there are
no laws in regard to strikes or boycotts
whatever.
The general sentiment OF Idaho. as
may be gained from these intimations, |
IS not adverse 10 the cause Of labor /
or the advancement of the lalborine
classes. True. the general depression /
Of trade has been felt in this state. as
well as in every other section of the
United States. and for the past two
years work has not been abundant or
wages up to their former rates. How
ever, the panic did not affect the work /
inTmen here, as distressingiy as in
many parts of the country, for the
reason that in the placer mines it was
possible TO earn at least small wages
for several months each summer. With |
revival Of business, the opportunities (
Of the mechanic and skilled laborer will 1
be fail. and, as it is Appropriated that
at least four-fifths of the number are
connected with the Knights of Labor, /
central organizations or unions with /
out branches in the state at present. /
1t IS TO be expected that the dignity
Of labor will be properly mainta med.
CHAS. L. NIOSHER.