The Daily Alaska empire., 1944-04-10

Between 225 and 250 Alaska Ju- neau Gold Mining Company em- ployees are out of jobs today as a result of the Saturday night clos ing operations, the Company said today.
 The mine started operation in 1917, and had been operating con- stantly except for six-week shut down in 1885 when the miners went on strike.
 Just what the shutdown would mean to Juneau was not immed- lately known. All of the workers who have been released are urged to report at once to the D. s. Elm ployment Service office in the Som- mers Building for registration.
 Notice of the shutdown was post ed by General Superintendent Joe Williams Saturday afternoon, and the shift which started work at 4 pm. was the last.
 Notice Given Saturday
 The notice said that "on account of continued and increasing oper- ating losses,' the management of the company. authorized by the board of directors, has ordered that the Alaska Juneau operation be closed"
 The notice further stated that instructions for the maintenance of emergency watchmen service at power plants and other points will be given by the proper foremen."
 Williams acted upon receiving the following wire from Philip Bradley president of the company:
 Acting in accordance with au- thority vested in me by resolution passed by board of directors, now instruct you to cease all mining and milling operations at earliest date. had hoped the economics of the situation generally would rem der this act unnecessary, but pru- dent judgment in respect to con serving our ore bodies and current cash reserves makes this act imper- ative.
 T regret exceedingly to see our operation and the welfare of our oldtime employees so disturbed, but no other course is possible"
 Williams Statement
 Superintendent Williams has issu- ed the following statement on the shutdown:
 The shutdown of mining opera tions was brought about by con- tinued and increasing operating los ses commencing more than year ago.
 Normally the mine employs about 1000 men and it's daily output was more than l3,000 tons of rock It is well known that on account of it's low-grade ore, the success of the Alaska Juneau depends upon hand ling a very large daily tonnage During the last two years, the number of employees has gradually dwindled to the present PTS men, and the daily tonnage has fallen below 4,000 tons.
 Some of the company's employ ees were taken by the draft. while many others left to work on war construction jobs which were pay ing premium wages. For the last year the cost of production per ton has exceeded the yield per ton and with the IA cent wage increase re- gently ordered by the War Labor Board, the current loss would be in- creased by about $400.O0 per day.
 WIPE Shutdown
 Tn October 1942, most gold mines throughout the country were closed by Government Limitation Order L-208. However, the Alaska Juneau was listed among the exceptions due to it's value in supplying many important services, both for the na- ton and for the community anc so the operation continued, although it might appear that ore reserves were being exhausted to no gooc purpose
 Tn May l943, the Union, which is the bargaining agent for the em- ployees and which has a Unior Shop Agreement with the Company demanded raise of 30 cents pei hour. The Company pointed out that since January 1941, two raises in pay had been granted which to- gether exceeded the IS percent wage increase allowable under the Little Steel Formula It also point ed out that the Company was oper- ating at loss and any pay raise would increase the operating loss Therefore, the Company did not agree to go before the War Labor Board asking for permission to raise wages. The Union carried the case through the United States