New-York tribune., 1919-08-23

dustry, combined with the compara-
lively high wages paid during the
latter part Of 1913 and the early
part OF the present year.
Toward the close Of 1918, when
wages were at their height, the
wages in some of the important
mining states ranged as follows:
Montana, $6.25 to $5.75 in cop
per mining, and 81 to $3.50 in gold
mining; Arizona, $5.15 to $6.10;
Utah, $4.25 to $5.25; Nevada, $5
to $5.75 in copper mining, and 1915
to 81 in gold mining; California,
$3.50 to $3.50 in copper mining,
and SO to 81 in gold mining; Wash
ington, $3.50 to IS. During the
first quarter Of 1919 the wages un-
derwent a general reduction in
many of the larger mining camps,
and it is noteworthy that this re-
duction was accomplished in most
cases with little or no trouble, be-
cause the men appreciated the rea-
sons for the change. During Febru-
ary, in the Clifton-Morenci-M Metcalf
district, the wages were reduced
from SIS to $4.40 for miners, $3.50
to. $3.70 for muckers, and $685. to
$5.63 for craftsmen. During the
latter part of the same month there
were 10000 idle men in Southern
Arizona camps, and a strike in the
Verde district was called off. Dur
ing March wages were cut in the
Ceur d'Alene district, Idaho, with
out trouble. In May the Arizona
camp reported insufficient labor
generally. In most of the gold min
ing camps throughout the Western
States the labor shortage obtained
during the war and still continues.
Conditions
Improving
The working and living conditions
of labor in the metal mining indus
try are steadily improving. Ameri-
can operators have realized the
benefits of dealing fairly with labor
and have appreciated the justice of
some of labor's demands. Most of the |
larger companies have devoted their
serious attention to the improve
ment of working conditions, to the
prevention of accidents, and to
camp sanitation. Education of the
workers has been provided for in
many cases, and schoolhouses have
been built for the ever-increasing
number of children of school age in
the larger and we'll established min
ing camps. In many of the larger
communities the number Of mar
rled- employees has increased, and to
these the employing companies are
offering inducements and encour
agement. to own their own homes.
In some cases building and loan as
sociations have been established to
help miners to become property
owners.
Several. notable advances have
been made during the last few
years in handling the mine labor
situation. Employers have realized
that efficiency may be promoted by
cooperation, and they have endeav-
ored by various means to stimulate
the spirit of cooperation on the part
of the workmen. AS a result of
this policy there is a growing ten
dency on the part of the employees
to become more efficient through
the better understanding that has
developed. Cooperation on the part
of labor is needed to solve indus
trial problems, whereby labor will
lose none of it's advantages, and
capital, upon which it depends, will
not be destroyed.
Copyright. 1919, McGraw Hill Company
tNOTE.-This is the second of e.
series of articles qc4-itteu especiollu
for The Tribune By editors of Me-
GraaO-HiU publications. The third
a0"I appear shortly.-Business Edi- |
tori