The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-04-22
On the Mcsaba

On the Mesaba.
Biwabik Range: Tuesday morning
Capt. White and crew of men began
shipping the stockpile at Cincinnati
mine. There is about $500 tons in
stock and this will be shipped as
rapidly as possible. An attempt was
made to start the pump in the shaft
Monday morning but it is under
water and refused to bulge A new
pump is being put in above the water
level and the mine win probably be
ready for business by the first Of next
week
Shipping was commenced from the
North Cincinnati mine Monday morn
ing and loaded cars are now going for
ward at rapid rate.
The Canton closed down Tuesday
and the machinery is being put in
shape for long season of idleness.
The pumps were left underground,
however, and are now covered with
water. Loading from the stockpile
will probably be commenced some
time this month, but just how soon is
not known at present. Nearly all the
men thrown out Of employment By
the shutdown win find places at the
other mines.
1t has been matter Of common
talk for some time that the Canton
paid lower wages than other mines on
the range that the miners average.
only about s. cents per day; that the
shutdown is for the purpose of avoid
ing the payment of higher wages
naturally expected in the summer,
and that the mine viii open again in
the winter and take advantage of the
low wages during the dull season. 1t
is more likely that the mine shut
down because there has not been
pound of ore sold yet.
Speaking Of wages. The officers OF
the company offer their books to prove
that the average wage rate at the
Canton since May, 1894 was over S1.70
per day and that several times good
practical miners have made over $500
per day. Occasionally a good miner
will have a bad month. The public
always hears Of these cases, but rarely
overhears word from the men who
are doing well. Again it should be
remembered that many Of the men
employed at the Canton never worked
underground before. They are not
miners. Where practical men could
put in set of timber in two hours
they consume a half day at the
same job. These men cannot be ex-
pected to make big pay as miners.
1t should be remembered that the
Canton ore is not of the best quality
and that il must be mined at a low
cost or not at all. 1t is safe to say
that the stockholders in this property
have never realized dollar on their
investment. Considering all these
things and the fact that the Canton
furnished employment to many work
ingmen when the county was feeding
hundreds and when most of the other
mines were compelled to shut down.
the citizens of Bfwabik should feel
somewhat grateful to this company
and be rather sparing in their criti-
cisms of its management.
The Drake and Stratton company
have force Of men at work repairing
machinery and tracks preparatory to
the resumption of stripping opera
tions. They will work two shovels
this summer, which will give employ
ment to about 200 men.
A local merchant who is a close OBJ
server has figured out that there will
be about $50 men employed in the
Biwabik group OF mines during the
present season. The Range believes
the total will be nearer $50 when
everything gets to running smoothly