The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-05-03
THREATENED STRIKE.

miners having through their union
demanded another increase OF
twenty-five cents "A day in wages,
Wednesday was the day set for the
demand to 90 into effect The
companies in response to this de-
mand issued the following circular
declining to accede to the demand
and giving their reasons therefor;
wages in this district are now more
than twelve per cent higher than they
have ever been aud more than thirty
five per cent. higher than they were IN
1901 The last advance, twenty-five
cents dav, was made in January 1907.
Since then no time has elapsed to allow
an adjustment OF afuirs to this increase
and although conditions surrounding
labor here are attractive and men are
available for much new development
work which has begun, demand is now
made for a further increase. The com
panies prize the good will OF the men
and hope to retain il but must decline
TO make an additional advance IN wages
At the present time
The responsibility OF looking a long
distance ahead rests upon the employers
and not upon the men, although the
men would be equal sufferers II this re-
-ponsibililv was neglected. Permanent
and successful mining III this locality Is
q difficult and variable proposition and
one which calls for good sense on the
part of all concerned. Locations must
be changed, large areas must DC pros
peCted and new deposits must DE as
covered, and mining must he carried on
with the most modern appliance ana on
large scale. Heavy obligations must
be assumed for the future aud the hlgh
price of all mining supplies and threat
cned increased taxation cannot be over
looked. Employees should realize that
their interests are allied with those OF
the companies and their success means
continued and increased prosperity for
themselves. Win fair treatment from
the public aud with careful manage
mcnt il is expected that in the future
improvements in mining conditions ana
bettcrments III the general situation VIII
result. But tins expectation cannot be
realized without cooperation on the
part OF the men and failing this the
present comparative prosperity Will De
lost to all who are engaged IN work III
this part OF the State.
The companies evidently Nntici-
pate a strike, for drill work, which
has been so active for several
months, has practically been aban-
doned, and Superintendent X. X.
s. Parsons, in an interview pub
lished in the Bonnie Terre Star,
says that the increase demanded
cannot and will not be made. lie
says: AS we have made money
wages have been advanced, the
last being an increase of % cents
per day in January, and when the
time comes that we can make a
further advance we shall certainly
make it. 1t is now insisted that
we make further increase on May
LIST of % cents per day, an increase
we cannot and will not make"
He further said that we are stop.
ping the development work, aban-
doning new developments and
otherwise curtailing expenses and
getting the work Of the company
in shape to best meet the condi-
tons which a strike with which we
are threatened will impose upon
us"
This is serious condition, and
we earnestly hope that cOnserva'
tive spirit will control the miners
and avert a strike, which, while it
would be bad for the companies
and the trade Of the Lead Belt, to
say nothing of other parts Of the
county, would be infinitely worse
for the miners, and especially for
those having families dependant
upon them. Whether the men are
receiving what they conceive to be
an equitable share Of the profits of
the companies accruing through |
their labor and the present high !
price of lead, we are not prepared
to say, but the companies in their
statement. looking to future obi
cations that may have to be met,
contend that they are now doing
the best possible under the circum-
stances for their employees. So
convinced are they of this, that
shey seem determined to meet a
as that would demon
ilize their business-rather than to
,oncede TO the demand for another