Amador ledger., 1903-04-17
FRIDAY APRIL II, 1908
THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.

Amador county has the industrial
situation in this section been so be-
set with difficulties as at present.
There is perhaps nothing more para
lying to business interests than a
labor strike. 1t is declaration of
war between the forces of labor and
capitalize employees and the en-
ployers. On the side of the former
is arrayed the weight of plumbers;
on the side of the latter is arrayed
the influence of wealth and property
If prolonged the struggle is as de-
vastating to industry and business
as the desolation caused by an in
vading army through a fertile and
smiling territory
The present calamity that has
suddenly overtaken the mining in
dustry of which Jackson is the center,
is appalling from any standpoint.
In round numbers nearly 1000 men
have been thrown out of employ
ment: machinery and enterprises
costing in the neighborhood of three
million dollars have been brought to
dead standstill, except keeping the
shafts clear of water, necessary
precaution against total collapse
of these costly works. All the vast
business enterprises dependent upon
the mining industry are panic
stricken. Property holders and
tradesmen are alarmed not merely
on account of the immediate stagna-
tion of business, but more so on ac-
count of what the future may bring
forth.
Fortunately the strike so far has
been unattended by any acts of
physical violence. 1t is hoped this
will con tinue!to the end. The mine
owners have made no effort to con-
tinue work with non-union labor.
Neither side has evinced a disposi-
tion to yield the vital points in issue.
Unquestionably the point that
brought about the almost total de-
population of the underground works
was the issue of shorter hours. The
men were dissatisfied with the long
working day of ten hours, and the
hope of relief in this respect made
the path of the union strikers much
easier than it would otherwise have
been. This question, however,
might no doubt have been settled
satisfactorily without the extreme
measure of strike. The mine
owners have for some time had the
subject of shortening the working
hours under consideration. If, as it
is claimed, a miner can do as much
work in eight hours as he has here
tofore done in ten, the owners would
have nothing TO lose by the change.
A trial of nine-hour day would un-
questionably have been conceded by
the companies. If this resulted in
no elimination in the amount of
work done, no increase of expense,
trial OF an eight hour system would
probably come next. The recogni-
tion of the union. and reinstatement
of discharged men are different prop
ositions. The Ledger has always
conceded the right of workmen to
organize as labor unions for their
own protection. 1t has been opposed
to coercion of other employees by the
union element. 1t is opposed to
dictation of employers by labor
organization. 1t believes that in
dustrial peace and prosperity can be
lastingly had only by employers re-
tanning the utmost freedom in the
transaction of their business. The
situation in Jackson has undergone
a complete change within the past
few days. And we are compelled to
look upon the situation as it exists,
not as we would wish to have it.
From nonunion camp, it has been
transformed into union town. We
must accept the verdict as an ae-
complished historical fact, however
discordant it may be to our con-
yictions. With the entire business
community, we join in the hope that
the unfortunate condition of affairs
may be speedily terminated.