The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1908-02-08
GOLDFIELD ON A NORMAL BASIS

8 NARRATED in a new item in another part Of this paper, aodhed has
"a settled down to a safe and san basis in the matter Of living expenses,
and today the resident Of the TOW and camp cal i've $ vel an It n
greater expense than in other communities more favored in their en-
vironmsnts The change from high prices to reasonable prices ns been gradual
but he comparative difference is SO marked. that the new conditions almost sig.
nanzs Al epoch in the history of the camp.
This change has already been brought about Through tn enors of se mine
OPERATOR who promised. when they adopted their lower scale II wages to bring
about a corresponding decrease in the cost Of living
Weeks before the Mine Operators association talked of reducing the wage
scale and commodity prices. in consequence. Tho aoldheld News sounded a warn
ing that . crash must con If coidheid tried 70 maintain the false scale of prices
then prevailing and it argued for a reduction all along the line
In an editorial in the issue Of November %. 1907 under the caption, prices
moss under extreme conditions IN ooldheld' 1t Is a f@s sn inc prices tny nam
tain upon merchandise Of all kinds Is outrageous and out Of all proportion. 1t is
even greater than before n lint OF railroads. wnen frasns was oroug ISo
sodavile So miles away by rail and then reighted % aoldheid by wagon. Tho
high. but the consum pays mere for his groceries, meas,v vegetables etc. now,
where there are two railroads operating through to aoldheld. then he did when
there were no railroads al an
receive a reasonable profit on their money; in fact the people will stand for more
than a reasonable profit; but they don't want : be robbed, and they viii not
stand for It longer
This call for a different scale OF prices vas made before the mine owners an
nouncsd a reduced wage SCALE; n II II vas necessary nat me uooie o. nigh
prices be pricked while wages we're high. how much more necessary now that
have been reduced 20 per cent?
Three weeks after The News began its campaign for a reasonable living
scale. the Mine Operators association fell in line. and demanded a reduction Of
20 pr cent In food stuns. clothing, rents and all other necessares that inter into
efforts against the high charges OF the various public utility corporations. such
as electric light and power, and the wateb company, and the railroads. AS a re-
reasonable basis in nearly all Ines The bugaboo II "hgh cost # living need
no longer brighten away prospective residents or investors. And furthermore
the high COST OF living n argument against wage reduction has LOST its
force, Tor the difference in the costof living in Goldheld now, as compared with
announced y tn Nine Operators association a compared with the former
scale.
But we will never reach a normal condition in general business until the rail-
roads make still further freight rate concessions both IN oe and merchandise
It is the railroads more than any other instrumentahty, that keepsp prices above
" trunk ines there n excuse or tn EXCESSIVE charges still
maintained and the business and mining community should. join in the movement
reasonable attitude In their dealings with the Godfed public The Chamber Of
Commerce is laying it's grievances before the Inter State Commerce commission
Investigation will % sarted that will end n a termination Of railroad abuss to
which ooldheld has beer subjected SO long.