The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-01-12
ROYAL ss;;;ss ss*S.s
v ABScIUTEN PURE
Makes the food more delicious and wholesome
Mill Workers are Happy.

In a comparison between Washing
ton and other members of the great
family of states in the Union, there is
probably no better basis than the wage
schedules paid in the staple and char
acteristic industries. Figure compiled
by State Railway and Factory Inspec-
tor William Blackman, from reports
aud statements received by him from
various lumber and shingle mills
throughout Washington, show that
the trend of wages paid to both skilled
and unskilled lahorers was steadily up
ward durlng the year 1899. A mar
velous showing is also made in these
reports as to the output and increase
In product OF the mills engaged in this
industry.
While Mr.. Blackman is Il member
OF the present fusion administration,
he willingly comedies the fact that
under conditions prevailing during
the past two or three years in this
state great progress has been made in
the industries referred to, and material
advantage to the wage-earner has re-
suited therefrom. The reports which
Mr.. Blackman is now gathering cover
the year 1899. They are contained in
statements secured by him while per-
forming the duties of his position as
mill and factory inspector. Many Of
the reports, containing statistics as to
output. comparisons with operations
in 1898 and wage schedules, we're, how
ever, made by the millmen themselves,
who willingly eo-operated with Mr..
Blackman in gathering these facts.
Probably the most interesting and
valuable showing made by the mills Of
the state is in the scale of wages paid
to operatives. After scanning perhaps
fifty reports, Mr.. Blackman yesterday
selected sample one, which, on ex-
animation, proved to contain figures
! which are a fair average OF those given
in the majority or the reports. The
wages paid TO the mill hands as report
ed in the statement referred to are as
follows:
Bookkeepers, 81 per day; engineers,
$S per day fireman $l.75 per day
head sawyer 81 per day; shingle pack
ers $3.50 per day; filer 81 per day;
planner men $3.50 per day; other
mechanics $3.50 per day; tailyman
$3.50 per days; blacksmiihs $3.50 per
day boom men 1925 per day; COM
mon laborers, $l.S5 per day.
In a number Of cases the wager aver
aged a trifle higher than the above.
In the report from Kent mills it was
stated that common laborers were
paid $2.25 per day. In other cases
the filers were reported as drawing S.
per day.
Mr., Aiackman stated that tue wages
schedule as given in the foregoing was
fair sample of the schedule paid
throughout the lumber and shingle
mills Of the state.
This schedule is 20 per cent, higher
than that paid by the same mill dur
ing 1898. The majority o. the report
stated that higher wages were during
1899 than 1898. In some cases the
advance was 10 per cent in others Is
and IN some as high as 25 per cent.
In very few cases, however, was there
no record of an advance in wages,
Probably no other industry in Wash
ington Aas pfospered SO much during
the past year as the lumber and SHIN
gle industry. The lumberman OF the
state were almost unitedly in favor, in
the campaign OF 1896, of the McKin-
ley electoral tichet, for the reason, as
stated in circular letter addressed to
the voters and issued by the lumber
men that the election of Republican
president and Republican congress
meant protection for Washington
lumber and logs and consequent
higher wage schedule. 1t now seems
that this promise has been fulfilled.
1t might be only fair to say that tie
foregoing comment on the conditions
of the wage-earners in the state lum-
Der and shingle industries did not
come from Mr.. Blackman.-P.-I.
l. Il 4