El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-01-22
The Coal Miner.

THE lot Of the New Mexico coal miner is not as terrible
L as was pictured during the recent strike, if instances
cited BY 10 E. Sheridan, state inspector Of mines, are fair
examples of the earnings Of the workers. Mr.. Sheridan
has Just filed his annual report, which gives some interest
ing figures On the coal situation. He fearlessly defends
the conduct of governor o. A. LarrazOlo in preventing law
lessness, bloodshed and destruction Of property during the
labor troubles. Incidentally, he takes a rap at certain
data promulgated by the United States department Of Ia
Dor.
Figures given IL the report on the earnings of New
Mexico coal miners would prove Of value to the commission
which IS TO fix a new wage scale for the coal mining indus
try. Pete Nalarmos, a Creek employed IN the Navajo
mine at Gallup, was paid for his labor during the z
months ending November I, 1919, the total Of SS32512
Tony Boggio, an italian, also a worker at Gallup, IN the
same period was paid s3O324i for working 275 shifts Of
eight hours OF less These men received an average Of
more than $3.50 an hour. In addition, they were provided
houses having free pool tables and like r~ecreations, and
free baths. The mining companies keep up the schools and
churches. The miner has no taxes to pay and IS not called
upon to contribute to welfare enterprises and other aet1v-
ties which the average employe and small business man.
with less income, is expected to assist
Each Of these two miners received last year more than
the New Mexico superintendent Of public instruction Their
pay was four times that Of the average school teacher. The
report doesn't say whether these two miners can read and
write OF speak the English language, but If they have
these accomplishments they are an exception to the rule OF
the Slav and Italian laboTers employed IN the southwest
With such wages and such working conditions, the New
Mexico coal miners have no real grievance. If there are TO
be any more strikes, they should be Of school teacher
preachers, state officers, and small business men, who have
a lot more worries and q lot less pay than does the foreign
llal lie
The New Mexico inspector takes a hopeful view Of the
industrial, situation N the mining districts, pointing out.
that the Spanish-AmeHcan, who makes a more efficient
and less turbulent worker, is gradually taking the place Of
the Slav IN the mines.
That coal mining is not more hazardous than many
other occupations is shown that during the year there were
q fatal accidents among the $3.50 men employed.
-o-
When one considers the billion dollar airship graft and
the billion dollar Pacific coast shipbuilding graft and the
billion dollar Hog Island graft, the million OF two the coal
miners asked for doesn't seem 50 large after all
Those who pine for the styles Of Eden may take hope
IN the announcement that clothes are to increase SO per
cent in price
A poor man can't have a good time because he has no
money and a Thh man can't have a good time because he
has l--
About the time the United States decides to join the
league there won't Be any.
One corn causeth more worry than many debts
The f~eH5uIest mBsif Is mbelef IN yourself.
-Thomas Carlyle.