The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-05
A LAWFUL MEETING LABOR AND CAPITAL
Conditions In Utah Described By
Secretary Hammond.
LABOR NOT ORGANIZED
INFORMATION REGARDING THE
EIGHT-HoUR LAW.
Secretary of States Examination
Took Wide Range-Says There
Is a Law Against Trusts That
Could Be Enforced Against For
eign Corporations-Public Schools.

Is a Law Against Trusts That
Could Be Enforced Against For
eign Corporations-Public Schools.
The subcommittee of the industrial
commission examined but one witness
yesterday, Secretary of State j. r.
Hammond, and adjourned till this
morning at 10 o'clock, when the inves-
tigation viii be resumed with either
w. G. Sharp, general superintendent of
the Pleasant Valley Coal company, or
State Mine Inspector Thomas. on the
stand. Another witness or two will be
examined during the day and the COM
mittee Will leave for Denver tomorrow.
The committee has been disappoint-
ed in not being able to get represen-
tative miner before il, and the men,
bers of the committee attribute their
failure to the fact that the miners, APP
parently, are satisfied with their condi-
ton in this state and have no griev-
ance to air.
George A. Whitaker may testify to-
day as a representative of the labor
interests.
After a few preliminary questions the
gun by his being Intercepted as to the
constitutionality and operation of the
eight-hour law, how it came 20 be
adopted, etc.
Eight-hour Law.
The witness stated that the law was
framed and passed by the legislature
under and by virtue of a provision in
the state constitution granting it power
to provide for the health and safety or
men employed in and about the mines
and smelters, and that it had been de-
clared constitutional and valid on that
account. He thought the law was bene-
fetal to the workinb classes, in that it
gave them more time for recreation,
thus stimulating their moral and intel
lectual condition. 1t had not proved
injurious TO the employer; men would
do more work and have more energy
when not compelled to labor such long
hours.
Mr.. Kennedy-Who tested the consti-
tutionality of the eight-hour law, the
employer of employed?
1T was tested by the employing
smelter men and was declared constitu-
the state and the United States su-
preme court"
Have you any other statute affect
ing the welfare of miners?"
Yes; one providing for the inspection
of coal mines: sufficient inspectors have
been provided; the law is generally
satisfactory; it provides for proper
ventilation"
Have you check-weighman law
for coal mines?''
Yes, sir; its provisions are looked
after by the state mine inspector"
To Chairman Bell the witness stated
that the state could not contract for
convict labor.
Have you had any articles of trades
unions Incorporation filed in your Of
fice?"
Amy concern mining by the cooper
alive SYSTEM
lone, called the Prospectors' Mining
Incorporation, l think; the only docu-
ment indicating such system in the
state"
Cooperation In Irrigation.
Water rights were generally managed
under cooperation system; the farm
ing and agricultural sections were gen.
orally divided into irrigation districts
and were presided over by WATERWAYS
tiers, who designated who was entitled
to water. how much, for what length of
time and when it should be used.
Witness knew nothing about mining,
ing laws; they were generally satisfac-
tory to mine-owners.
do you know of any defects in the
national mining laws which you would
like to call attention top
No; 1 have heard some fault found
with the lateral side-line law, but the
question, l think, is two-sided one.
Individually. 1 think the number of
claims one man might locate should
be restricted. One claim of fifty acres
would probably be a reasonable allow
ance, but it should not be square.
would permit man to locate one claim
in as many different districts as he
wanted to-
Labor Organizations.
Are you familiar with the condition
of organized labor in Utah?'
only in general way. Labor is not
generally organized, 1 believe. There
is some interest taken in trade or
CARNATIONS, but coal and metal miners
are not generally organized. 1 know
of no reason why they should not be-"
The state had an arbitration law and
board. but it had so far had
was also a board of Cancellation, ex-
pected to intercede when trouble was
imminent and try to- avert ii.
There was no script system in force |
in any part of the state; was not IA
miliar with the boarding. system. |
There was Sunday law TO the effect |
that no unnecessary labor should be |
performed on the Sabbath; it was gen. |
orally enforced, but he understood that |
in smelters and mines some classes of |
work was unnecessarily continuous. |
The day was generally observed, how
ever throughout the state.
Have you a manual training school |
n the state?"
Yes, sir; the Agricultural College.
which has an average enrolment of |
some 500 students, and its manual
departments are usually taxed
20 their fullest capacity"
Law Against Trusts.
ANY statutory law regulating
rusts?"
Yes, sir; it provides against gen.
eral combinations for the purpose of
the price of the necessaries
If life. and one prosecution, / believe,
las been had under its provisions in
his city. 1t was owing to a combine
# coal dealers to control the price of
'uel. With the outcome 1 am not IA
niliar.''
rs the tendency to combine indus
ries manifest by papers on file in your
)ffice?"
Yes; in one instance-that of the
;melter trust. 1t takes in most of the
mining states and is Incorporated I'M