The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-03-25

Several mining and smelling men as
sembled last evening in the Office of
Bennett, Howat. Hardness & Bradley,
for the purpose of formulating a plan
OF action against the signing by the gov
ernor of the bill known as the eight hour
law. The personnel of the assembly was
representative. Among those present
were: Colonel Richard Macintosh. Col
onel Nick Treweek, A Hanauer, Allen G.
Campbell, John .Dern. Hon. w. C. Hall,
w. e. James, ]. j. Daily, John O. Pack
ard R. II. Officer. John Sharp, E. F.
Holden, Mr.. Bradley.
Mr.. James acted as spokesman during
tne early part of the session and related
at some length the objects for which the
meeting was called. After he had con-
in nomination for the office of chairman
with the result that Mr.. Packard was
selected, while Mr.. Holden was chosen
as secretary
-, The chair declared that the passage of
the eight hour law would result disas-
trously Tor Utah. 1t would be nothing
snort OF calamity inasmuch at it would
prlng on trouble with the laboring men
ana Strlkes would surely ensue. We
would have the same old labor troubles
over again, and all present understood
that meant loss of property and great
tribulation.
Mr. Hanauer suggested that some reso-
buttons had been prepared and urged
they be read, as a preliminary to the
other business of the meeting, which
was done.
The resolutions will be presented the
governor with the opinions of the at
torneys. In effect they point out the de-
IectS OF the law when in operation
MT Macintosh declared that while the
resolutions contained nothing but truth,
ne was not in favor of making them the
q 10 a1 cal Iry
the governor. 1t would appear to the
outsiders that the fight was being made
Tor personal reasons alone. He favored
the urging of the governor to veto the
Dill on the strict grounds that it was an un
constitutional measure and could not be
enforced. The best legal talent in the
city has declared it measure which
will not stand the test of the courts and
this should be brought to the notice of
the executive with as much force as pos
sible. He did not believe in making the
Rght on what might appear to be Purely
selfish grounds.
This position was endorsed by Mr. Hol-
den, who said, while the governor would
be. justified in refusing to approve the
bill on the grounds stated in the resou-
tons, still if there could be some legal
opinions to the contrary he was in favor
of obtaining them and presenting them to
the executive.
AT this point the statement was made
that Judge Powers and Hon. C. S. Var
ian had declared the law was constitu-
tlonal, but there seemed to be unan-
unity of judgment to the effect that the
best authorities of the city, outside the
two attorneys mentioned, were adverse
to this position.
Mr.. James declared the people and the
members of the legislature were totally
ignorant of the consequences which would
follow the passage of this bill. The
shelters would have to raise prices, be-
cause of the changes in the scale of
a iJ. n II haf ha
hours of labor should be reduced under
present conditions. Already the Colorado
smelters had the advantage because of
the cheapness of fuel and discrimination
in rates. and when this measure becomes
law there will be more trouble. He was
satisfied there were troublesome times
ahead. Men could not stand and would
not endure the reduction in wages which
will follow the practice of this law. 1t
would cut them down to SLIGO per day,
and they could not live on that amount.
Strikes would follow. The smelters would
be obliged to raise the price of smelt-
ing ore and the miners would suffer.
R. H. Officer believed the operation of
the law would increase the price of la
Dor SO 1-3 per cent. 1t meant an advance
of from 20 to so cents per ton in reducing
ores. That will leave nothing for the
miners and may mean the shutting down
of the smelters. Low grade mines will
close and the outside smelters will get
in on the high class ores. It will lead to
Il
eight hours will not stand a reduction in
their salaries. The governor should be
seen Immediately.
Mr.. Dern suggested that the committee
which waited upon the governor ought
to be composed of twelve or fifteen men.
Legal opinions ought to be given him.
The law will work harships. While it
does not compel the payment of ten
hours compensation for eight hours work,
the men will not work for the decrease
in wages and strikes will occur.
S. H Hill delivered short address
upon the reasons why capital and labor
ought to be united and closed by say
ing, See the governor"
w. C. Hall was pressed for a legal
opinion. He gave a sort of one stating
in substance that the BIZ was, in his
judgment, unconstitutional and would
not stand the test of legal action. 1t was
class legislation, in this that it does not
apply to all kinds of labor alike.
Colonel Macintosh came forward with
a practical solution of the difficulty at
this juncture. He did not believe in legal
opinions which were obtained without
compensation. Counsel should be en-
ployed. The opinions of the attorneys
should be written out and signed by the
attorneys giving them and brought to the
attention of the governor. He moved the
appointment of committee OF three to
hire counsel
This motion prevailed, and while the
chair was making up the list, ]. j.
DAILY declared that if the law went into
effect he would close his property down.
He had never had any trouble with the
men and did not at any time, but he
could not afford to pay an advance OF
wages and would not. He was looking
for good excuse to shut down and this
would afford it.
Colonel Macintosh, Allen G.. Camp
bell and John Dern were appointed
committee to secure legal talent and
opinions and the entire number COM
mittee to wait upon the governor and
present the same. The resolutions above
were also adopted. 1t was suggested that
perhaps all men interested might be asked
to attend when the same was brought to
the notice of the governor, but some one
ventured that the opposition might pack
the house and get away with the plums
The meeting was about to adjourn,
when NJ James brought up the taxa
ton of mines He believed the revenue
bill was not fair, in this, that while It
taxed the miner on his net output, 1t dld
not figure the total expense he might
have been under in order to get the first
profit.
Colonel Macintosh argued the other
way and declared the law was fairy
good one and to let it go.
1t was permitted to go and the meet
ing adjourned.