Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1901-08-17
THE smELTER STRIKE


James Kennedy returned last night
from Mason Valley, where he was en-
ployed as accountant in the Office OF
the Bluestone Mining company He
smelter and all-is closed down, ow-
ing to strike on the part of the smelt-
er men, who wanted more pay. He
speaks highly of the property and its
prospects and believes that it is only
a question OF time until the plant will
be in full swing again.
1t seems that the first feeders and
tappers (skilled labor) got $3.50 per
day and the tappers help and charge
wheelers (unskilled labor received S.
The latter struck for $3.5o and the de-
mand was rejected. Other laborers
about the place were asked to take
the place of the strikers and refused
to do SO. AS there appeared to be
tacit understanding among the men,
the company inferred a general strike
to be in progress and closed down the
whole works, it being impossible to
run the mine independent OF the smelt-
er.
The incident is most deplorable
The Bluestone project was one OF the
greatest things for the advancement
of the mining interests OF Nevada that
has been introduced in many years.
! Every indication went to show that the
whole proposition was bona hde The
company was headed and directed by
men like c. F. Batterman F. klepet-
| ko. John F. Forbis. F. F. Shaw and
other prominent mining men, whose
names have been identified with the
history Of copper mining in Butte City
and elsewhere Everything was done
! with the energy and dispatch that
characterized the conduct OF the up-to
date mines OF Butte City
, When it was discovered that iron
would be necessary in tfuxirg the ore
Mr.. Batterman went forth and alter
three days search succeeded in dis
covering an iron mine that would sup
ply the necessary iron for his purpose
for a period OF fifty years. Lime be-.
ing necessary for tiuXing he made a
search for lime quarry and found
one. which had not been previously
known to exist, within two hundred
yards OF the smelter.
1t does seem a pity that the product
of such energy and talent should be
thrown away, but when it is consider
ed in addition that the Bluestone Co
had constructed a tramway over a mile
long, and carrying over 100 tons pet
day OF ore. that they erected smelt
er with capacity OF more than Ioc
tons daily. large duplex pump tina
brought water a distance OF three mil
es and large hotel for the acommo
dation of their men, that they work
p ed sixteen or eighteen 10 or I2-hors,
, teams and employed a force of owe
200 men in their copper and Iro,
mine and smelter, the force of tn
t blow sustained by the State of New
I ada, and Lyon county in particular
through their removal may be appre
{ ciated by the most casual observer.
$ The whole difficulty was brought O.
: by strike in which at first only thre
men were involved. That the man
agement are disposed to be friendly t
labor is evidenced by the fact tina
. they established an 8-hour day with
out any solicitation on the part Of tn
miners or smelter men. 1t is quit
o possible and even probable that tn
d Bluestone company will start up agai
: by the close of the month, but whethe
IS with the same number of men or nc
n we are unable to say.-Report.