The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-20

Winter Quarters. a total of seventeen.
Before the strike the two mines at
Sunnyside contained 246 Italians. the
mines at Winter Quarters seventy-fOur.
the mines at Clear Greek 172, and the
mines at Castle CATE about 276. The
I total number OF Italians employed at
Castle Gate before the strike was 1856,
many Of them being at work on the
/ coke ovens and other outside Jobs.
In addition to the Italians employed
at the mines prior to the strike. there
were many Austrians, whose habits Go
{ not differ materially from those Of the
Italians. Seventeen does not show the
total number of Italians employed by
/ the company at present by any means,
but is merely the number at work dig
ging coal. For instance, at Sunnyside
there are about seventy Italians, ex-
elusive of those in the mines. who are
employed at the coke ovens and else
where about the camp, and the same
condition applies in greater or less
measure to the other camps Of the
company.
No Interpreter Needed.
But so far as the force Of men actu-
ally mining is concerned. the Italians
have been practically squeezed out as
one result Of the strike. Their places
have been filled in most cases by Eng
ing residents of Utah. recruited from
the farming districts in the valleys.
Some Of them may, as the strikers in
sist, leave the mines TO return to their
farms in the spring. while others VIII
likely remain a work I'M the mines.
The changed condition with regard to
the Italians is generally looked upon by
company officials and the English
speaking miners as a good one The
faf.r f- rr1r Hrr &c
books the Italian and Austrian ele-
ments were conspicuous ia the strike
The great falling off in the percentage
Of Italians in the mines is conclusive
proof Of this II is a we'll known fact
that the average Italian miner looks
upon his work in America as a means
to an end-or pcrhaDs ITO two ends He
either saves his money and sends it
home, or saves it TO take home when he
goes. Usually he does not come to
America TO stay.
Seldom Becomes a Citizen.
He seldom becomes a citizen Of the
country, and often lives here for years
without learning the language of tia
country. His object generally is 10
make all me can and then return TO his
native land. He is a frugal liver and
what might be called "a poor spender-"
The merchant does not make especial
effort to secure his trade. which IS nos,
a a rule. worth nearly so much as that
OF the English-speakng miner. The
English-speaking miner. on the other
hard. generally lives up to his income.
His table is the best he can afford, ne
is a liberal patron of amusements and
Ofteu-tOo often. i'm many Cases-a gen
erOus pa tron Of the saloon. In this way
he puts his money into circulation in
the country. much OF it coming back
81 q q 90
the company store. which is an addi-
tioual argument from the company
standpoint in favor Of the English
speaking miner The Italian. as has
been stated is just the reverse Of this.
He rs easily led to strike by such mag
uetic orators of his race as Demolh
and is always looked upon as a posi-
BILE trouble maker. while at the same
time he is not otherwise so desirable
as the man who speaks English.
Followed Their Leader.
In view OF all these causes it may
safely be said that one consolation the
company and others concerned draw
from the present trouble is that now
there is practically no Italian element
left In the mines. The majority of the
Italians. as the books show, struck at
the word and stayed on strike. II is
Utah Fuel company is concerned, says
Vice President Kramer. we are get
ting along All right without them and
in spite of them" he said, speaking not
of the Italian strikers but Of all the
strikers which necessarily includes the
large Italian element and they can
not come back TO work for US now
The Italians are leaving Each train
carries out number Of them. Some
are bound for Butte. some for the mines
OF iowa. Missouri and Illinois. and some
FOR sunny italy. The English-s speak
ing miners generally are staying bet
ter. We shall go 10 the finish" they
say But what do you understand to
be q fnish2" was asked. Here is the
company operating ats mines. adding 70
its force daily and unquestionably in
complete control what are you going
20 do2" "Oh. wen hang around for a
while. anyway These farmers cant
get out enough coal and they'll be go
ing back 70 their farms in the spring.
Yes. but by that time some Of the
green men will be good miners. able e.
teach other green men who can no
doubt be secured. The company is de-
termined not to take you fellows back