Gilpin observer., 1906-07-12
NEWS FROM THE MINES and MILLS.
Miners International Congress.


One of the largest International gath
ings ever convened, the International
Congress of Miners, has just adjourned
in London. 1t was a representative
gathering from every portion of the
world where mining is pursued as an
occupation, except the metalliferous
regions Of the West.
Great Britain, employing 70S,2OO
miners, of whom 100000 are organized
sent eighty-three delegates to the con-
gress, fourteen Of these delegates be-
ing members of the House of Com
mons. In France 100000 of the 200 900
miners are organized; it sent four del
egates, of whom two are members of
Parliament. Belgium, which has 1885,
900 miners, Of whom $4,000 are organ
lied, sent nine delegates, including two
members of Parliament. In Germany
there are some 100000 miners; OF
these 10000 belong to the German
Miners Federation, and sent twelve
delegates; while the 10000 members of
the German Christian Miners Fedora
tion sent three delegates. Austria.
with $4,000 miners, 10000 of whom
are organized, sent two delegates. The
United States, with $4,000 miners, Of
| whom 365,000 belong to unions, sent
two delegates. Summed up, there are
2,32S, 200 miners, of whom 1882 900, or
about fifty-five per cent, are organized.
Some consideration was given to the
suggestion by member that the mines
regulation acts of every nationality be
amended so as to secure greater safety
to life and limb for all workers under
ha 60 ,l,ne, e,t.r~ Il hot
there should be more mine inspectors.
A delegate from Germany stated that
not one-third Of the mines in that coun-
try have the proper means OF saving
life, and between 1897 and 1905 the
number of accidents liable to compen-
sation increased. In France they have
| workmen inspectors, but when it was
proposed to increase their days of in
spection from ten to twenty per month,
the mining companies were willing to
double wages, but were not willing to
allow their mines to be inspected twice
as often. Mr.. j. P. White, the repre-
sentative from the United States,
stated that workmen inspectors are
elected, but that they rarely possess
the necessary technical knowledge TO
pass the examination. He urged that
unions should teach the technicalities
OF their respective traueS.
Strong arguments were made to
abolish female and child labor in
mines. The delegate from upper ST.
lesia stated that the wages were bad
| in this, the darkest part of Germany"
and $4,000 women were employed on
| The surface of the mines. The reason
| for this is because the mems wages are
so low-about 60 cents per shift-that
women must work to help maintain
their families. Women receive from
| is cents to &c cents per shift. In Ger
| many, however, no children are en-
| ployed under fourteen years of age,
and the employment of girls is pro
hibited.
A delegate from Belgium stated that
| it was in his country they suffered
! most from the employment of children.
| In 1904 boys who, between fourteen
and sixteen years of age, were en-
| ployed in underground work in the
mines numbered 4,690, and the number
is increasing. Children and women in
the Mansfield district in Germany work
ten or twelve hours daily, and organi-
zation is absolutely repressed.
Suggestions were made TO better the
welfare Of the miner. 1t seems that in
Belgium only $50 per cent. of the min
| ers can continue work after they are
| fifty years of age. In France only IL .63
per cent. of those working on the sur
face or underground have attained the
age of fifty. Some delegates were in
| favor of the institution Of two annual
holidays. The eight-hour-day question
received particular attention. In Aus
| tria the miners have legal nine-hour
day; in Germany for the last forty
years efforts have been made to inter
est the government in the miners de-
mands, but the authorities have yet to
| be convinced of the necessity for an
eight-hour day; in France the eight
hour enactment has been granted in
principle, and in America bituminous
miners have an eight-hour day. not
| from bank to bank. but at the face
Leadville Herald Democrat.