The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-03-22
TAMARACk 8 CUSTER EMPLOYEES REFUSE
STAND FOR INCREASED RATE FOR BOARD
MANAGEMENT SEEMS SATISFIED E.
MAIN IDLE WHICH TAKEN A BEARING
RuMoREo SALE OF DAYS TO GueeENHEIMs

Following the posting of notice last
boarding house that effective March
Is the rate of board would be adyanc-
ed 25 cents per day, making the rate
$125, all employees of the company at
the mine refused to work under the
new rate The first move was made
BY the night shift which refused to go
to work Friday evening, some of the
men coming to Wallace and bringing
the first news of the disagreement.
Next morning the day shift followed
the lead of the night, which resulted
in complete suspension of opera
tions in the mine. By Saturday af-
ternoon practically all the Tamarack
men, numbering over 300, had come
down, augmenting the usual Saturday
crowds on the street, and making the
"beanery" strike the absorbing topic
OF discussion. 1t was expected that
employees of other mines where the
also refuse to work under the new
regulation, but up to date the Tamar-
ack & Custer men are the only ones
cut. In explanation of this situation
it has been stated that the accommo-
dations at the Tamarack boarding
house are inferior to those of other
mines and that this was an import
ant factor in bringing about the
strike.
Company Willing to Shut Down.
The attitude of the management of
the Tamarack & Custer since the
strike indicates that the mine will re-
main closed indefinitely, and that the
action of the employees in walking out
in reality brought about situation
that was desired. This is explained
by the difficulty that is being expert
enced by the Northport smelter in
handling the tonnage that is being
piled in upon it. According to report,
the smelter yards are blocked with
cars of ore awaiting treatment and
receipts continue far in excess of the
smelling capacity, even with the new
furnace just added. In order to re-
lieve the congestion much ore has
been diverted to the Trail smelter in
British Columbia, and while this has
accomplished some relief in the di-
rection intended, it is stated that an
other serious difficulty has developed
in the delay in getting returns for the
ore shipped across the line and the
continued uncertainty as to when set
tlement will be made. AS IL these
troubles were not enough, it is also
understood that the Northport COM
pany has hundreds of cars loaded |
with bullion somewhere in the freight |
blockade east, representing enormous
value, and it Is impossible to tell when |
these will reach the refinery at Pitts
burg, and the vast sum represented !
must remain tied up until the bullion |
can be refined and marketed. Under
these trying conditions it is easy to
understand why the manager of the |
Tamarack & Custer, who is also the /
president and manager of the North
pOi oHuCltCiy ~ ooeASHCo " SiuN ooNb
the mine until the smelling situation
Is relieved.
How Relief May Come.
The closing down of the Tamarack
adds another link to the chain Of gos- I
sip that has been going the rounds for
some months to the effect that the
Guggenheims were negotiating for the
purchase of all the Day holdings in
this district and for the Northport
smelter and the appearance of Simon
Guggenheim in the district is taken
to have direct bearing on these al
legged negotiations. That the Days
have experienced much difficulty in
the operation of the Northport plant
tion to the troubles narrated above,
the labor situation at Northport is
said to be more serious than the pub
lie generally understands, while from
the standpoint of transportation the
location of the smelter at Northport
is regarded as most serious mistake.
Considering all the obstacles encoun-
tered by the Days In connection with
the desire of the Guggenheims to Sc
cure more lead in order to maintain
their prestige in the metal market, it
would seem that the report originating
In the Day organ that the Guggen-
helms are about to take over the Bun
ker Hill mine and smelter was put out
to obscure the real deal through which
the Guggenheims will absorb all the
Day holdings.