Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1907-12-29
CONTRACT MINING.

CONTRACT MINING.
The American Mining Review, in its
last Issue, devoted its choicest edi-
torial space to a leader on Mining
by Contract" an article inpired by
Globe. labor conditions. The paper
states that the Globe miners union re-
Gently decided to abolish the contract
system in the mines of the district,
whereas, just the opposite course was
taken, the referendum vote on the
question resulting in the defeat of the
anti-contract forces. The Review
says:
THE miners of Globe, Arizona, re-
Gently unanimously decided that the
performance of any labor in mines
under contract was detrimental to
the best interest of miners, and that
in Globe district no contracts would
De tdhoH uSE6dibSA 1hSaS AlAASAS
claim that the history of unionism has
shown that contracts are a device in
tended to cause men to exert them
selves to the limit of human endur-
ance. and is not good for miners-par-
ticuIariy union miners.
"A long period of observation has
convinced us that the contract sys-
tenn Of labor is an excellent thing
where the men are good judges Of
conditions. It results in the men
working earnestly for the common
good of all Interested in the contract;
no loafers or incompetents are toll
Grated and the result is that the work
in hand is performed expeditiously
and is generally well done. The
workmen earn larger amount Of.
money than they are paid for day la
ber. and if the contract terminates
well all are satisfied.
1T is true that the contract labor
er sets rapid pace for the laggard
and the incompetent is crowded out,
but mining is a commercial PROPOSE
ton and the management of mine
seeks To get the greatest value for the
money expended.
Prior to these days of strenuous
labor unionism, contracts were eager
ly sought by the best workmen of the
mines. It was satisfactory in those
days. why is it not equally satisfac-
tory nev2
mot infrequently the introduction
of the contract system has saved a
mine from complete failure. Several
years ago a mine superintendent. who
employed over 200 men, found the la
Dor about the mine so inefficient or so
lazy that If was impossible to make
success. He took some heroic meas
ures to improve conditions, and was
not the least surprised when the en-
tire working force presented them
selves at the Office The spokesman
for the men stepped forward and vol
unteered the information that the en-
tire body of men had struck
The only response the superinten-
dent made to this was laconic-'aIl
right He turned and entered the or
fee, closing the door after him.
For about fifteen minutes the men
fingered about. uncertain what had
better be done. They expected re
monstrance-counter speeches and
possibly compromise. They then
went down to the village. Half an
hour later the superintendent rode
down, and in q few minutes two or
three Of the men came out to speak
with him Again the leader addressed
him:
We think perhaps you did not
understand he said. We are out on
strike-we refuse to work
That's all right replied the SUI
perinteudent. I don't care
but what do you intend dOing7'
asked the leader of the strikers.
-Nothing.' replied the superintend-
ent
There was another earnest and
lengthy conversation on the part Of
the strikers. and fnaiiy half dozen
mea came TO the superintendent and
asked II be would give contracts for
certain work in tho mine.