The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-10

new work was stopped In the early part
OF the tear. operations being confined
TO working out reserves opened up IN
former developments. Within n year
Sand Coulee will be abandoned. when
all work will be transferred TO the new
camp OF Stocket, six miles from Sand
Coulee. h mines of which,. though re-
Gently opened. are amply prepared to
meet the demands made upon the older
mine
AT Belt a large amount OF new terri
tory has been explored. adding greatly
20 the visible supply and assuring a
bright future for this thrifty camp. The
miners n the company suffered a Sc
we're loss through the destruction of the
washing plant m bunkers by fire April
Is. entailing a loss Of s125 900 and de-
priving OF employment those engaged
In h manufacture OF coke. A large
force of mechanics are at present en-
gagged in rebuilding the plant, which.
when completed. will add at least 100
men TO the present working force.
A strike lasting two weeks occurred
at the Rocky Fork mines I'm the month
OF June. The difference arose over the
collecting of the check-welghmen's
wages In the Office. Both the manager,
DR.. Fox. and h superintendent, VIM.
O'Connor. were absent when the strike
was ordered. Upon their return the
matter was quicly and amicably set
tied. On Sept. "a a fire occurred which
destroyed the tipple. weigh Office. car
loader, two fans n buildings besides
100 feet OF snow he'd and n number OF
mine cars. In three weeks the dam
age was temporarily repaired and the
mine started. Tbs Montana Coal and
Coke company's mine and coking plant.
situated at Aldridge n Horr. changed
ownership and management in the
month of June. a party of New York
capitalists acquiring the interest of the
Conrad brothers. With the single ex-
ception OF the slight misunderstanding
at Red Lodge. no trouble or contention
arose during the year TO disturb the
harmony and pleasan. relations exist
ing between employer and employees.
Freedom from disturbance and strife
~ a distinct characteristic of the min
ing industry in this state. In comparing
our condition, in this respect, with
other states from whence tales of riot
and ~bloodshed are being regularly
brought to our attention. the wisdom
of the policy pursued by the men who
have directed capital, on the one hand,
and those who have guided labor's
force. on the other. is c~ommendable in
the highest degree. Actuated by a COM
mon purpose these forces have worked
In unity for n quarter Of a century and
have builded a great and enduring in
dustry. IL is TO be hoped that the fac
tors which built this grand Industry
from nothing TO its present proportions
viii continue, as In the past. 10 pro-
mote It's growth, each recognizing the
others rights 10 an equitable share of
the reward. To the various mine Off
Gals. with whom my duty brought me
In contact. | desire TO return my thanks
for the assistance and courtesies ex-
tended.
Hosting Cages.
In my previous report I commented
on the law requiring the enclosing of
hosting cages. stating hat good rea-
sons existed for the leniency and indul-
gence exercised up to that time and
that arbitrary enforcement without
practical demonstration of it's feasibil-
lily might strengthen the prejudice
against the device. but that steps a
then been taken TO secure the observ-
ance OF the law. on the 18th day of
November, 1897. j personally served no.
tice on the general manager OF the An
aconda Mining company, stating there
IN mat unless said law was compiled
with by Jan. 1. 1898. complaint would
be filed with the county attorney OF
silver Bow county. as provided by law.
The law not being complied with with
in the time specified above, Frank
Hunter, deputy inspector. and myself
called at the office of the county attor-
noy OF Silver Bow county on the sth
day OF January, 1893. and there in
formed him of the violation Of this
law and of rny desire to make affidavit
40 a complaint which would take the
matter into court. He Informed us that
IL was Impossible to draw up the COM
plant then, as he had first to ascer-
tain who were the proper parties to be
therein. assuring us on his own
account, that the matter would receive
prompt attention and that ] might at
lime expect "a notice to appear at
his office 90 make the necessary anida-
VT. Hearing nothing concerning the
case for five months. and realizing that
II was the duty OF the county attorney
and myself To enforce his law, regard
less of Its merits or dement's. l called
upon him again on the 23d day of June,
at which time he assured me hat the
complaint would be ready on the 27th
day of the same month, and using his
own LANGUAGE, from then on the case
would be vigorously pushed" Needless
to say, II was not prepared by the
9th nor by the 30th. on which date /
had another interview with him. While
1 regret TO report TO your excellency a
failure to enforce a law so important
and beneficial. the above statement will
that IL was through no want of
bh NV part VI NulS utDdIN-
The following petition relative
this law was received by me from
the employees OF the Anaconda. Never
and Mountain Con. mines:
Mr.. John Byrne. State Mine Inspec-
tor, Helena. Mont.
We. the undersigned practical min
ers having given the safety doors on
cages, as provided by law. n
fair trial. hereby enter our protest
against the same as being a source OF
danger to our lives. We are convinced
from experience that any device Of this
on a hosting cage is a serious
and adds additional chances
to the danger OF mining. and we here
by petition you TO use your good offices
towards the repeal Of the law govern
the same, and your petitioners Will
ever pray"
-Four hundred and fifty signatures ac-
his petition. In reply to
this petition. l desire to say that an
other years careful observation of the
workings OF this device has