The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-01

Inc cflSlS In Inc LABOR SITUATION III
the Lead Belt is now apparently very
nearly approaching, and if August
18th is permitted to go by without
satisfactory action on the part of the
mine owners, then the workers will,
in all likelihood, go out on strike,
which will mean additional hardship
for both sides, and may result in dis
aster for both sides Of the contro-
versy.
The only indication the mine owners
have thus far given that there is any
discomfort with wages and working
conditions on the part of their work.
men is that on July Gath notices were
posted that a 12k per cent increase
in wages would go into effect on Aug.
ust 1st. Even that notice was not sent
to the Mine, Mill and Smelter Work
ers' organization, but notices were
simply posted at different places,
which was another slap at labor or
ganization. But it seems that such
slap was altogether unnecessary, as
the miners consider that 12k per cent
advance" a sufficient slap.
It seems clear that the individual
who apparently controls and even DOM
mates the mining companies--C. ].
Adami--absolutely refuses to treat
with organized labor, feeling, doubt
less, that he may not be able to DOM
mate and override such an organiza-
tion, while up to the present he has
been unusually successful in Swing
ing the bull'' over individual work.
ers. But the idea of offering labor
1917 per cent raise, under the circum-
stances, is certainly calculated to
"get on the nerves. of the workers
throughout that region. Reductions
have usually been made by % per
cent and upwards, and now, that the
price of life's necessities continue to
advance, and with the present wage
scale in the Lead Belt at the lowest
possible level-considerab below the
least amount that would keep an av-
erage sized family in the plainest
comforts of life-the workers in that
field, especially the lower paid labor.
ers, have every reason to feel that the
measley 1914 per cent increase in
wages is an insult. A so per cent in
crease in wages would not be exorbi-
tant, in view of the present abnor-
mally low wages in that field, the
alarming increase in the cost of liv-
ing, as well as a comparison with
wages in other fields. s
In conversation with one of the lead
ers of the labor union the past week,
a Times reporter CLEANED the follow.
ing:
1t is the sincere wish of the commit
tee and the men we represent, that
the question at issue be peaceably
and amicably adjusted without inter
rupting operation of mines or mills
and with this end in view, we shall
hold ourselves in readiness to confer
with you (the company manage
ments) at any time or place desig-
mated by you, through notice to the
Secretary of the District Union.
We trust the management of the
companies will realize the business
wisdom of lending their full co-ope-
ration towards a satisfactory settle
ment of the questions at issue.
On the Oath of the month a notice
was posted by the companies, of an
increase of 1914 per cent in wages to
take effect the first day of August,
Owing to the fact that on March
1st wages were reduced 20 per cent,
and the cost of living has steadily
gone up, it has only seemed to add to
the ever growing dissatisfaction.
This dissatisfaction is so general
that on August the 9th the members
of the Union will be given an oppor-
tunity to express their contentment by
ballot, to see if they are willing to
apply the last resort, if the confer
ence asked for is not granted.
Just what course will be taken af-
ter August 18th, in case the confer
ence is not granted, and the road op-
ened for joint conferences between
the representatives of the men and the
companies, will be explained in next
weeks issue of The Times.