The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-28

Ever since the late state legislature
passed the eight-hour law relative to
the length of time that miners, smell
ter operatives and mill employees
should and could work, the mine own
ers Of Utah have, as a rule. been i'll at
ease regarding the future outcome OF
this legislative enactment and many
have been the consultations held be-
tween them as to whether or not they
should abide by the law. Not that
they would hesitate in obeying its
mandates as far as the number of
hours were concerned; but the ques-
ton has been, Shall we and can we
pay ten hours wages for eight hours
work"
On number OF occasions several of
our leading mine owners have met to
consider this question. and it was the
almost unanimous opinion that the
only way to meet the contingency was
to abide by the law as far as the num-
Der of hours were concerned but they
could not and would not pay the same
wages for eight hours that they were
of paying by the day after the law
went into effect on June 6. they would
nay at certain rate per hour in pro-
portion to the scale paid for ten hours
work; which measure would. .of course.
reduce the wages materially, as in
most instances this would bring the
wages down to 20 and % cents an
hour.
1t was generally understood that this
plan would be adopted and arrange
ments with this end in view have been
going on: but for some reason another
meeting was called for Tuesday night
at s o'clock Not a mine owner was
present. however. and now it is un-
derstood that the arrangement or
agreement is broken. and it is given
out that from now on it is leach man
for himself and the devil catch the
hindmost one"
In order to ascertain the feeling on
the eight hour law among mine owners
and what they proposed to do in the
premises. the mining scribe OF The
Herald yesterday made a personal
canvass among them. as far as posi-
bic. and obtained a concensus of opin-
ion on the subject. as follows:
THE MERCUR MINE.
The Mercur company. according to
Mr.. Airs. viii pay miners 271s cents
an hour when the law goes into effect.
and 25 cents an hour for laborers. The
company viii charge 10 cents a da.v
fo1 board and lodging: but the men
are not obliged to board with the com
pany. and can go where they please.
THE AJAX MINE.
The Ajax company. Mr. Knox saws.
viii pay % cents an hour straight for
The eight-hour day. If this is not sat
isfactory to the miners the mine will
be closed down indefinitely The mine
is dry mine and can be closed with
out any damage TO the company.
THE BULLION-BECK NINE.
The BulHon-Beck and Champion
Mining company will pay the old scale
of ten hours wages for eight hours
work. Two shifts only viii be en-
ployed but the men must come and
20 from the mine on their own time
eat on their own time and put in full
eight-hour day Under this system il
is believed that as much work viii be
performed by the men as under the
ten-hour system.
y
The Horn Silver company Manager
Farnsworth says has not decided IN
on a plan OF action. AS far as posi-
ble. however. the work in tAe mine and
the mill viii be done by contract. The
mine would be ruined within a short
time If closed down. and this will be
avoided If possible In the event of
disagreement between the company
and the men, however, a few men
would be employed in keeping the prop
eriy in shape until such a time as an
adjustment of difficulties could be ar
ranged.
TIE CENTENNIAL-EUREKA.
TIE CentenniaI-Eureka Mining com
pany. according to Mr. Chisholm. has
not decided as yet as to what it will
do in the premises. It win obey the
Law. however.
THE MAMMOTH COMPANY.
The Mammoth Mining company has
arrived at no definite conclusion other
wise than that it viii obey the law.
THE EUREKA HILL.
Mr.. ]. @. Packard Of the Eureka-Hin
and Keystone mines was not TO be
found in his usual haunts yesterday,
and consequently The Herald cannot
quote him. Tuesday evening, however,
Mr.. Packard was seen by the reporter
at the Cullen house. at which time he
stated that he proposed standing by |
the agreement. and that he expected |
10 ray % cents an hour for eight hours;
but when informed Of the meeting that
was to take place that night. he said /
that he was glad to hear of it, as this 1
virtually dissolved the compact be-
tween them. and that now he would do
as he pleased. and copper" every one