The San Francisco call., 1904-02-27
MINES NOW HAVE ENOUGH
WATER FOR THE SEASON
If Labor Troubles Can Be Settled the Outlook Is Good for
Long Run as Snow Is Banked Up in the Mountains
Sufficiently Deep to Insure Uninterrupted Operations

Unless something that is not now
foreseen should happen the outlook for
a good mining season in California is
excellent. There is no longer any ques-
tion concerning an ample water supply
to keep the mines Of all sorts running
for many months. At present there is
too much water and some mines have
been compelled to suspend temporarily.
The snow is a guarantee of a long sea-
son if the winter weather holds and the
snow does not melt too suddenly. The
streams in Siskiyou County have been
higher within the last week than at any
time since 1861.
In all directions there is enough water
stored up in snow to be a cause of good
cheer to the miners. Operations on
gravel claims in Nevada County have
been discontinued in some localities
while the waters are at flood. The An
gels Record says that there has not
been in many years a snowfall equal to
that of the last few days In the north
ern part Of the Sierra watershed. Mines
and electric power companies alike will
be the beneficiaries. More than seven
inches of snow fell in one storm. The
snow does not reach as low as 1t has in
some earlier years, but it is heavier in
the higher attitudes, and this is the
ideal condition.
CAUSES FOR STOPPING.
Two California mines have recently
been closed on account Of labor trou-
bles One is the Midas mine in Shasta
County and the other is the ~Rawhide
in Tuolumne County. The local papers
give accounts of the causes that have
led UP to the suspension. The Redding
Free Press says that notice has been
posted that the Midas has been closed
indefinitely A brief account of the hap
pening has been contained in telegraph
ic dispatches. The Free Press tells the
story as follows:
Union miners appeared before Mr.. Mcintosh
and asked the management to discharge a ma
chinist who was employed last week.
This machnist according to the claims OF
the union employed at the Midas, had
tain the occasion of the labor troubles at
these places This machinist was formerly
employed at the Gladstone, whicheis under the
same management as the Midas. Last week
he went to Harrison EGulch and was given
work by Superintendent Oswald as machinist
on the pumps and machines.
got together and began trouble. They said
they had received word from French Gulch to
the effect that the machlnist had scabbed"
at Iron Mountain and the Gladstone. They in
suited him and ordered him to leave the camp.
The machinst went down and stayed with Mr..
Mcintosh that night and Friday morning was
put to work usual.
Not word further said to him. but at
noon Friday the day shift refused 10 go to
work unless the machinist was fired. and
they demanded that he be discharged. This
demand was promptly refused by Mr.. McIn-
tosh who gave out the statement that those
not wishing to work could get their time. No
conclusion was reached and accordingly Mr..
Mcintosh ended the matter by posting the no.
tice.
The machinist who caused the trouble can
not be termed "scab" in connection with his
work at the Gladstone and Iron Mountain.
There was no strike among the machinists at
either place-not even a sympathetic strike.
The trouble at both places was among the
miners.
The Midas people have been anticipating
trouble for some time. There have been In the
camp disturbers who have on several occasions
tried to make trouble for the company Not
long ago there was a walkout on account or
an alleged insuf1ciency Of food. That matter
quieted down and when the lockout OF Friday