Gilpin observer., 1905-07-20
"Mill Strike Settled" ("

To the Editor OF the Gilpin Observer.
Dear Sir:-In your issue Of the 29th
OF June observed an article headed ae
above and also a notice from the mill
owners to the shippers OF ore. To this
article and notice 1 fully expected to see
some abler pen than mine refer, but as
this has not been done by any local par.
ties cannot longer refrain from com
menting on the injustice done the miner
by the arrangements entered into by the
mill men and their employees whereby
the treatment charges on stamp mill ore
are increased SO as to "eveL up" things
to suit themselves. But what Of the
miner, the poor miner, who risks life and
limb every day he enters mine to pro-
cure the material that keeps the stamp
mill in operation 1t seems to me that
his interests and the very important
part he plays have been totally ignored
by the mill owners and mill men alike,
who have very evidently concluded that
the miner is the fit and proper person to
bear the whole brunt of the burden in
Cured by the enactment OF the eight
hour law. 1t is truly said that at is an i'll
wind that does not blow somebody good"
and the regrettable shutting down Of
the Golden smelter, regrettable at least
for the miner, was positive god send
for the mill owners and mill men, for
with the shutting down Of this smelter
came renewed life and activity for the
stamp mills, many OF which, as every
one well remembers, had been closed
down tetotally for long time, and the
remainder or their owners being very
thankful whenever they were fortunate
enough to receive sufficient ore to en-
able them to run their plants to one.
third OF their capacity. But 10. a
change has come to the gallant mill men
as we'll as to the mill owners, and the en-
actment OF this eight-hour Law has given
the former the opportunity to improve
their financial as we'll as their labor con-
ditions. and they have not been slow to
take advantage Of it, as noted by the
new schedule Of wages and the increased
charge for milling, which of course
''evens up" things in good shape for the
mill owners. II is truly said "there is
less harm wrought from want OF heart
than want Of thought" and would ask
those people did it not occur to them
that it would be a gross injustice to ex
pect or either compel the unfortunate
miner to shoulder the whole burden
created by the enactment OF this eight.
hour law, while they actually benefited
by it Mill owners and mill men are but
too we'll aware that miners, majority Of
whom are leasers, are in most cases de-
pendent upon their cord or two OF ore to
keep together the bodies and souls OF
themselves and those dependent upon
them, and that in countless instances
they do not receive out OF their cord OF
ore as much as the amount OF the differ
ence between the old and new rates OF
treatment.
Under those uncontradictable condi.
tions would ask, is it not but right
that arrangements be entered into where
by the expense attending the enactment
OF this eight-hour law be 60 regulated
that it will be evenly borne by the mill
owners, the mill men, and though last
not least, the miners.
/ will conclude this already too lengthy
epistle by suggesting to the mill owners
and mill men that their motto in this
case be, Live and let live"
Yours truly.
A MIyER