The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1907-11-16
N E AND THEIR PAY

NAAlN1<S 6A~D III
HE EASTERN panic hs hit oodhed a hard rap, it must be admitted; but
there is some consolation in the fact that it has rot hit this camp any
harder han the parts OF the country. The local banking situation
has not changed within thu past week, except that more Of the depOstors
arc signing the agreement offered by the banks which, If generally signed.
will enable tn suspended banks to open. It is expected that by this time next
banks viii . opsn, although lot paying depositrs except under III agreement
The Cool bank has remained open right along although limiting depoAtors in
their Withdrawals and issuing script for payrors This situation is no different
from that prevailing throughout the country. ut possibly 1t is more keenly felt
United States
n. fact. that IN mining companie. are unable to get anything from the
banks Tor their payrons other than script, brings the camp face to face with a
possible strike among the miners The miners, in severaii instances, have given it
out that they will lot accept script for wages M that they will quit work in
preference. In fact miners from two Of three properties quit work AM went out
this week. when notified that they would have t. take part Of their wages in
exchange The miners union las taken up the matter and today will vote
upon the proposition Of strike or n strike.
Judging from tn past, the union viii doubtless vote to strike rathert than
take exchange It would b entirely in consonance an harmony with their
past nreasonabl and cratic actions. The unions may. by standing together. be
able to force results when It comes To- m differences with their employers, but
this is a case where they CAM be forced. It is no within the option 4 the ON
ployers With their money tied up the operators re At the mercy Of the banks
as well As are miners and other individual depostors. II the operators can't get
their cash, they can't pay in cash. But they offer to pay in something that rep
cash.. and will be taken IS cash-drafts OF outside institutions, or script
of local banks. In fact the miners win lot be asked to accept their entire wage
in script. for the companies which carry their accounts in the Cook bank win be
able to offer their employees half cash. It is to be hoped the miners will see the
reasonablsnsss of this proposition and continue a work under the terms offered
It should be plainly understood that it is not possible for tn local banks to
pay entire in gold The Cook bank la a fairly good lash reserve. but it will not
last long, II deposnors are anowed to drain he bank and send their money out Of
town through the poaomcs and the express omcss There has been going out Of
this town for III past two weeks from $4,000 to $780, 600 dany. and only a small
amount Of CASH coming in At this rate it will only be a few weeks before the en-
tire TOW is drained and there will not be q gold coin OF piece Of currency In
local circulation. The people are making . great mistake in shipping heir money
tut Of camp for they will suffer slons with others. when the real money famine
comes
OF course. it is optional with the miners whether they take script o. quit
work. II they al better their condition by stopping work. it is their privilege
But how they are going to live in the meantime, is a question to be considered
Half cash and half drafts is certainly better than no wage 1t all. It win buy
more to eat-more COAL more clothing -morec comfort Tor the wifea and little ones
This condition, too, is not If short duration. The local banks may open in a
week, but that will not make any difference in the cash situation, for h cash
must com from the outside and outsiders are holding onto it like grim death
money in 0oldhed, and it will take a long time, possibly a radical change n our
currency laws by congressional enactment, before there will b relief. Are the
miners going to wait all the time; are they going 10 doggedy NOPE round and
starve to deAh waiting on congress? #### @N#t Aa#
The miners need not think they are he only onest that suffer through this
temporarily adopted system OF "L o US" The stores have % accept them
from the banks and from their customers; landlords must take them Tor rent; the
coal men aust take them for coal It viii only be a few days bsfore they will be
passing current and as freely as government currency and coin. But We admit it
will 70 mighty inconvenient in the meantime. The refusal Of the banks to cash
checks and drafts from the outside is alsow working a great hardship. It las in
terrupted several deals II greater OF lessm magnitude; investors hav come to
Godhed with their money all in drafts and with drafts for thousands in their
halt in all kinds Of business and the minsrs must realize It. They have not been
picked ont especially a a mark for this white paper currency Not q Bit. Nor
are they going to be made al exception of in the matter of cash payments They
myb be strong as . union. y theya m n more entitled TO onsideranon than the
carpenter. tn dshwasher or the bod carrier, the store clerk or the ONCE book
keeper. II the miners think they arr . privileged lass they viii find to thu on
trary. They are entitled to the sam treatment as all wage workers; n better,
large bills and payrols to meet are willing to accept drafts and script for the
lime being simply as a matter of expediency If moi necessity. we think the
miners can do the sam We win all have to take pot luck together. or get mono
Of the pot at ALL
The miners nus understand TOT, that If they think that by refusing cash and
hardship and injury o the operators. they are way ''on their base" The
mines would like to remain open If possible to keep the men together, il for no
other purpose; but they are operating under the most vexauous and embarass
ing conditions conditions which, may force them . CLOSE down. irrespective Of
the wage question. Tho operators are under constant worry and strain to get
money for their mon and for other operating expenses Many are working un
productive Mines doing dead work, and would be relieved II they could shut
product 30 what's the use Of continuing operations anyway Why would IL
not be better to close down all around and wait until the sky clears7
II the miners should walk . today. we actually believe it would be vel
comsd By thrssfourths Of he mns operators Of the camp: 80 that II the miners
want Y strike . blow to their hereditary enemy their employers they can't