The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-03

The subcommittee on mines and
mining of the United States industrial
commission began it's sessions in the
Knutsford yesterday morning by exam
lining Hon. C. E. Allen on the subjects
placed in their hands for investigation.
Little interest has been so far mani
| tested in the proceedings by the pub
| lie, and from present appearances no
great crowds will attend the sessions.
1t was different in Colorado and Idaho,
and especially in the latter state, where
the labor troubles caused unusual in
| terest.
Mr.. Allen Examined.
The session opened with Mr.. Allen
| being asked if he could suggest d way
to control the trusts.
1T is too early yet to decide" said
Mr.. Allen, but l think that which can
be ought to be done at once for the
benefit of all.
rs it your judgment that there are
more men than are positions for them?'
Yes, SIR
What do You think of the trusts?"
was asked.
II believe they have come to stay.
and we shall have to meet them. The
first effort will be for the trusts to
control, and the next effort will be to
control them"
IF laborers are increasing and the
field of labor is decreasing. how are the
is being adjusted?'
THAT is one of the problems of the
situation to be solved said Mr.. AL
len.
What effect has the introduction of
machinery in your mines had on pro-
duction?"
1T increases it,
Does the introduction of machinery
lessen the number of men employed"
Not at ALL
Have you a law relating to the in
spection of mines?"
Mines Well Ventilated
Yes; but it applies only to the coal
mines. There is no complaint from our
mines. They are all well ventilated-a
condition which prevails in all districts
of the state
What is the intellectual condition of
the mining population"
1T is good. They have splendid
schools where their children are prop
erly educated
I'm your Judgment, can miner earn
ing $3.50 day in Utah save as much as
a man working earning $3.50 in Butte
or So a day in Leadville?"
Il don't know. l cannot form an
opinion on the relative values here and
there
BY Mr. Kennedy-"Why are there so
few organizations among the miners of
this state. as compared to other
states?"
as mining as profitable in Utah as
in other states?'
81 think il is
rs the cost of production here as
cheap as in other states?"
Il do not know
as there any good reason why the
Utah mine owner could not pay $3.50
per day as we'll as the Colorado mine
owner?''
Yes, sir; ] think the ores here are
of lower grade than those of Colo
RADIO"
Miners Unions.
do you think if there was an or
ganization here among the miners that
larger wages would be paid?"
II do not"
do you think the mine owners would
have any objection to their employees
joining societies and having some voice
in the wages to be paid?'
Il suppose it would be the same here
as elsewhere; some would object and
others would not
rs there any phase of the company
store system at your mines?'
There is not
Have you a company physician in
your camp"
Yes"
What deduction is made in the
wages to support him.
Zone dollar month"
"How many men have you in your
mine?"
There are generally about ninety"
do you believe in Sunday work?"
mo, SIR
HAS the shutdown of the trust |
in Colorado benefited the Utah |
smelters?"
II have heard that some Colorado ore
has been brought here, and apparently |
the Utah smelters have been benefited
You are in favor of controlling the
over-capitalization of corporations by
Yes, SIR"
At the close of the short morning ses-
sion an adjournment was taken till 9
o'clock
r. G. Chambers Testifes.
In the afternoon Hon. r. c. Chambers
was Intercepted on a wide range of
features bearing on the mining indus
occupied the entire afternoon will give
1 good idea of the manner of question:
ng
Mr.. Chambers testimony relating to
he operation of the eight hour law, the
wage scales. the operations of big COM
)alies, the necessity for an equitable
adjustment of freight rates, the hos
,ital assessment principle, ETC., will be
ound interesting. as it is an expression
# opinion from one of the states most
thoroughly posted men.
AS at the morning session, no spec
ators were present and Chairman Bell
lid most of the questioning.
In answer to Mr.. Bells first question
dr. Chambers said he considered the
mining industry to be in a more pros
'erous, but not a more profitable, con-
Iition than it had been for the past
our years. He admitted that machin-
ry had taken the place of men in
many instances. but as more properties
we're being opened and worked, he
bought the number of men employed
ras not decreasing. f;
Chances In Mining
DO you believe that the money in
ested in mines gives as certain returns
S money invested in other lines of
usiness?"
"A man engaged in mining takes
lore chances, but, If successful, he ,
lakes more than in other lines of bust ,
esq.,
Have you had legislation. state or
ational. which has impaired the in
ustry2"