The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-29

working three parts of days, and their
earnings are now from SO to $13 a
month
The condition of the miners employed
in the outside shafts is growing worse
daily. Their earnings for the month of
May will range from So to $545 and a
very few will make So. These are the
earnings on which they must support
their families and keep themselves from
starving unless charity steps in and gives
them relief.
There are 1877 miners employed in the
two big Santa Fe shafts who are now
making from $40 to $13 month aud
there are just about the same mum ber
employed in the outside shafts, making
from So to $6 month.
Some of the business men of the town,
aroused by outside influences, at a recent
meeting. announced that it was a disgrace
to their town to have aid coming in from
the outside until they had entirely ex-
hausted their OWN resources.
The miners present said that was ex-
actly the condition they were in. Their
resources were exhausted. The mer-
chants then started a street improvement
subscription by which they proposed to
give the most needy work on the street
and pay them for it.
This subscription was placed in the
hands of MIR W. II. Hobbs, the lumber
merchant, who, after giving two whole
days o'the work. succeeded in raising
$40 for the street fund. This money
will be available just as soon as the city
council will authorize the work to be
done.
In talking about the situation to the
JOURNAL reporter Mr.. Hobbs said: "1he
trouble here is that the merchants and
business men of the town were too slow
to see the need of the people. and when
it was brought to their notice it was
at the same time made public
to the world. There is no question but
there are many people here who need
help, and they should be helped. Many
need aid and won't call for it on account
of the scahUaI connected with the dis
tribution two years ago.
Figuring on the Carbon company
(Santa~ Fe) giving its men work by which
they can earn $12 a month, not less than
1000 In aid, or its equivalent in extra
work, will have to be furnished our min
ers to keep them from starving between
now and fall"
The merchants are feeling the effects
Of the hard times among the miners.
Last Saturday one merchants en-
tire receipts were but forty
five cents, and another merchant
took in less than 81; all the stores are
doing less business than they have for
years.
The STATE JOURNAL reporter saw a
large number OF men whose families are
suffering and visited the homes OF some
who are kept from starvation only by the
charity supplies which were sent to
Scranton after the publication of the
miners conditions in this paper
One miner who worked in the Isaac
shaft last month drew just 81 cents for
his work after the operator had deduct
ed his pay for load of coal which went
to the miners house This miner has a
family of four to feed and house rent to
pay.
Another man who worked in Ryan's
shaft last month earned $5.45 to support
his family of three and he says he has
not asked for charity and will etarve
first The JOURNAL reporter was in :
formed, however, that this mans wife
had applied for aid without her hus-
bands knowledge.
There is scarcely one of the 1888 miners
working in the smaller shafts that does
not need aid to keep him and his family
from starving. as the pay he receives
from So to Sc month-won't buy
much flour and meat
The committee has had some appli-
cants for aid from persons not regarded
as worthy, but they are watching their
supplies carefully.
The members of the miners aid COM
mittee are George Harris, John Gallo
way and James Chappell, and all the aid
has thus far been distributed through
them.