Some changes have taken place at the Hanna mines the past few weeks that is worthy of note. No. 2 mine which we were informed was closed down for the summer was opened to resume work, at another ten cent reduction, on July 1st. It is needless to say that No. 2 remains idle, as 50 cents per ton is below par. Mr. Magrath remarked that he would find a market for the coal if he had to give it away. He may have the right to do this, but in doing so he should not intrude too far upon the rights of others by giving away their labor.

It is now mutually understood that Mr. McGrath will meet representatives of the miners at this place, September 1st, and fix prices for the six months following. If this is carried out in good faith on both sides, much annoyance and expense may be avoided to all concerned, but it should not be confined to the Hanna mines alone. Other mines controlled by the Union Pacific are as much interested as we are, and should insist on pursuing the same scheme. There are many ways, where this will be beneficial to the mines, when it is necessary to reduce the cost of production, as the company decided it was here some time ago. Some times the miners can show where the cost of producing the coal can

be reduced without cutting the price of mining, When an advance is necessary it might be made without advancing the cost of placing the coal on the car. Those are matters of importance and are interesting to all.

No. 1 mine is run now to its full capacity, yet the out put is comparatively small considering

the time the mine has been opened.

There seems to be some difficulty ventilating the air conducted in boxes 12 by 24 inches, which does not carry sufficient to keep the places free from firedamp, causing much dissatisfaction to the miners.

Not wishing to intrude too much on your valuable space, I will close.

A MINER.

GREEN RIVER, Wyo., Aug. 20, 1891

Editor Magazine:

For ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, some one here can discount the heathen Chine.

A foreman (Page) superceded a foreman (Casgrove) here a short time ago. The better class here supported Page, because immediately after he took charge he set about remedying gross abuses that existed under the old regime. We

gave him credit in the magazine for his honest efforts to suppress evils. Page, no doubt, acting under orders, sent work from here to other points, thus causing a reduction in the working force. This excited the. ire of parties here; a plot was hatched to murder Page, but he received information of the intended crime in time to save his life. One of the murderous gang engaged to assasinate the foreman, subsequently turned informer and gave away the names of the villians engaged in the diabolical plot. The ringleaders got timely notice and within a day or two emigrated to other and safer parts.

Now mark what follows. So called detectives are sent here to investigate. What? Nothing! Sent here merely, we claim to down those who protected Page, and frustrated the plot. A system of wholesale persecution has set in against those. They are brought before the local inquisition (composed of the petty officials) questioned, and because they cannot or will not admit knowledge of the connection which undoubtedly saved the foreman's life, are threatened with divers, pains and penalties, and some have been discharged.

In the mean time the would be murderers are

pursuing the even teror of their way, and as already stated some of them have departed for fresh fields and pastures new.

Surely the high officials of the system must be unaware of the rascality now practiced here towards the honest and faithful servants of the the so-called detectives, we believe is intended to company. The conduct of the petty officials and precipitate trouble, and if it is countenanced by the authorities, which we can scarcely credit,

then we must say that the U. P. R. R. stands preeminent among railroads as a fearful and wonder

ful institution.

One of our members, than whom the company had no better or more faithful workman. was

questioned a day or two ago, about the plot against Page, and because he could not give any

information about the murderous attempt, was informed that he had violated Rule 203, of the Time Table and would be discharged. He was discharged. No proof whatever exists that he posessed such information, but that he is known as an honest, upright man. Honest men in this bailwick are 'way below par.

Who had everything to loose and nothing to gain by the death or removal of Mr. Page? The workmen who suffered under the old foreman. Who would gain by his removal? The scalawag workers who claimed that his arrival here, and management since his arrival, was detrimental to themselves and the town. The thugs were of one mind-they thought no change could be for the worst-they thought they could get their last foreman back again.

Rule 203 requires employes to report theft, etc. Have such reports been made? Developments here recently go to show they have. Has company property been stolen here? Yes, many thousands of dollars worth from the cars, within a short period.

Are not the methods of the company inscrutable? No effort made to capture or punish even one thief, but every effort made to down and ruin honest workingmen whose only fault (?) is that they are suspected of having given information which saved the foreman's life. No effort made to arrest and punish the scoundrels who conspired to murder an old man, but every effort made to crush and ruin those who undoubtedly saved his life.

There is but one God, and Mohamet is his prophet, say the devout Mohametans, and there is but one railroad in America (the U. P.) where the matter complained of would be tolerated, say honest citizens here.

We earnestly desire a thorough investigation, but wish to have it conducted in an honest way. We therefore suggest that the company appoint an official not connected with the Wyoming division.

We are confident that a proper investigation will completely show up the rottenness and imbecility that prevails, and makes this section a stench in the nostrils of honest men.

3481.

EVANSTON, Wyoming, Aug. 21, 1891.

Editor Magazine:

I will say that Evanston is still on the boom and lots of improvement being done in the shape of building residences and sidewalks.

I am pleased to inform our readers of the magazine that there is not so much sickness now as there was.

Sorry to inform you of one of our brothers being accidently killed in the yard, July 4th. An engine backed over him cutting him intwo. We

are of the opinion that he was sick, and that he

had a fit at the time he was killed.

We are on fifty-two hours per week in the shops with the exception of a few pets who get all the over time.

Now a word or two for a young engineer that worked his way from the shop, and three years and a half as a fireman, a sober and industrious young man, and was well recommended, and because he had a little mishap in the yard about a year ago he got discharged. It is strange that when old time engineers make a bad break or run past their orders, or smash up an engine, or a few cars, that they can get reinstated and all goes well. But if a young runner that has been faithful to the company and worked his way up for a number of years, makes a little brake, he has gone, it seems, forever. If the officials would reinstate him as a fireman it would be some encouragement for him.

For eleven days the people of Evanston have been excited over the strange disappearance of an old gentleman by the name of M. V. Morse.

men and boys out in the hills hunting for him. There is a reward of seven hundred and fifty dollars for the person that finds him. He disappeared in the same way about eleven years ago. He was gone eleven days.

The shop boys of the fire department here got away with the first prize at Ogden, on the fourth.

Our old friend, Charles Kennedy, of Ogden, has got tired of single life and has married. We wish you much joy Charley.

The shop men received the pay checks on the 20th, O. K. But the engineers, firemen and trainmen would like to know the reason why they can't get paid at the same time.

I see in the correspondence from Evanston some time ago, reference to the need of a suitable building close to the shops to accomodate the employes for a reading room. It would be doing good to have a place built this fall for all the employes to spend their winter evenings in.

J. M. B.

ALBINA, Oregon, Aug. 20th, 1891.

Editor Magazine: As my first attempt was not kicked into the Repair Track, I feel a little more confident in launching forth again. Nevertheless I am some what uneasy, as my last letter stirred up some of the dry bones around these digings. To write this I am compelled to seek the seclusion of the wharf beneath the company's wharf boat, where I will be safe from the relentless search of the

wiper and his gang of mechanics.

I feel somewhat elated at my success as a correspondent, as a great deal of interest was mani

fested in my last letter, and in our department in particular. Every one seemed deeply interested. I am unable to assign any particular reason, unless it was for the compliments paid to the head

of our department and his friend. Frankie, who seems to have depreciated considerable of late, an old acquaintance of his appeared here a few days ago, when Frankie offered his hand, but the old record was still fresh in the mind of the new arrival, and he seemed bothered to shake hands and turned his back instead.

A few days ago I saw a great number congregated around the turn table trying to move an engine there. From my curiosity being aroused I was eager to find out what the trouble was. On a closer investigation I saw it was an engine just taken from the shop to the round house. But when the turn table was reached it refused to advance any farther, with a pinch bar at each wheel and enough men around it to push it through the round house, and aided by the avericous shouts of Captain Shoup the stubborn engine would not move. At length a block and tackle was hitched on to her, and, well, she had to "come off," amid shouts of exultation and triumph they almost raised the roof from the round house.

Great beads of presperation stood out on the wipers clarical brow, and Frankie and his chum, Squinten, congratulated themselves upon their wonderful achievement. The same old story; the machinists are kept busy all the time. Saturday, P. M., included, while the gangs spend more time waiting for work than is consumed in putting it together. One engine in the shop for eight months and not finished yet; although she has work done on her every day.

Engines making one trip must have a round house overhauling. Engines under the Drs. care for ten or fifteen days because the reverse lever would not stay in its place. Apprentices discharged to make room for one of the gang.

The M. P. B. seems to have taken upon himself the authority to give some of his men ten hours pay each day in the week, although they work but nine and a half. Who gave him this authority is what we wish to know?

A grand set of foremen in the car department. One man removed becaused he frequented the saloon too often, and superceded by another who finds one of his men drunk and tells him to go home, which he does, and returns the next day and finds the foreman in the same condition, and in turn tells him to do likewise. Another foreman in the mill give a man orders to do a

certain job. The job is according to orders, but yet wrong-results, man discharged, but foreman kept. The rule here, if you understand your work you will be discharged, if not, you will be promoted. That is if you stand in you can work all the time, Saturday included. You may put in the time whether you do anything or not. We are beginning to assume the appearance of a city and since consolidation took place the streets are swept and sprinkled, which is a novelty here, being a vast improvement over the old condition of things. Well, you know when a man has too much to do something must be neglected. Well, we will have more time to look after our interest in the electric car line and water plant, and let the shop get along the best it can.

"WEB FOOT.

SHOSHONE, Ida., Aug. 20th. 1891.

Editor Magazine:

We have been holding court here since the July magazine arrived. That beer bottle business was the cause of it all. One of the witnesses got discharged because he told what he knew about the matter, but the investigation was for the purpose of prooving the thing false, instead of getting at the bottom of the matter. The judge and jury have been there themselves and did not care to push the matter, and as the discharged witness is not a member of any labor organization, he will, no doubt, be out of a job.

"Cui Boni" is jubilant on account of the verdict, and is of the opinion that he (C. B.) is not

in need of a job in the shops-s good thing for the shops.

C. B. also recommends for the "crank" plenty of Bohea to clear his brain. Why not recommend a Hypo-Demic syringe? We have heard of its having a wonderful stimulating effect.

Our journal at this place has placed its editorial columns at the service of the "gang," but as it is rather of the rat order and a patent inside, do not propose to have anything to say regarding it.

return to work when they have been off on acIt is strange some people are not allowed to count of a bad eye, and others are allowed to quit their job, get their time check, and then return to work.

Engine 760 went out of the shops on three legs, but I heard that the company keeps a supply of extra legs in Pocatello, so the engine can be supplied there.

We have an old hen here who thinks himself authority on guns, we propose to help the company to get some returns from him by furnishing him with a setting of eggs, as he puts in most of his time sitting on the bench. The brood will be put in the care of the "pacer" who can run them around the shops, as he has nothing else to do.

horning it, but when you have a gold mine to Some of our boys have been tin can or tin

draw on you can stand it.

Gang foreman, Merwith, got disgusted with the way things are run here, quit, and has gone to the coast.

make about a twenty-five cent reduction in the wages, just to wake them up a little. I would almost be willing to suffer a reduction myself to see them suffer once, for they are either ignorant or they are the most selfish and miserly human beings that I have ever come in contact with. You ask one of them to join a labor organization, or to subscribe for a labor paper and they will tell you that they can not afford it yet. There is not one of these same men that you will ever see spend a dollar in a saloon, and the most of them have been here for years, and have always received the best wages at the expense of their fellow workman, yet they are not the men (even now) to come up and join us, and say boys, let me contribute my share to this cause, for I am receiving as much benefit from it as you. No but they will sneak out of all the expense, but they are not a bit ashamed to come in for the full amount of the benefits. It is such men as those that cause labor organizations most of their trouble. They are far more dangerous, in my opinion, than our employers, for without the aid of such men as them, the capitalist would have to submit to the laborers with very little trouble.

Our labor assembly is doing very well. We are taking in a few nearly every meeting, but I think if yourself or our district M. W. would come up and give us a good talk it would make quite an improvement in all of us.

S.

ter reached you, notably among the many Sam Beaty, foreman of the passenger coach cleaning and repairing department, has been succeeded by Andy Anderson, lately of Salina, Kansas. Beaty lately got wedded to a fine young lady and of course he wanted to give her a ride on the cars, and got a free pass from the company. Of course he thought that would not satisfy her asthetic taste of his duleiana, consequently he wrote a letter to Mr. Dennison, the Pullman coach superintendent, for a free berth in one of his luxurious coaches. The manager politely told him he could not comply with his request. Beaty wrote him back a letter in not very complimentary language. Beaty's letter was sent to Omaha, to the official of the road, by Dennison, and hence his dismissal. Some men want the earth. S. Beaty would be a long time in Canada, B. A., before he would be looking for Pullman coaches to ride in. I think the company was more than justified in firing him. Herman Ritter, machinist and draughtsman, was discharged by the M. M. about a month ago. When in the draughting room a good deal of his time was devoted to his own interest in making designs of a new valve motion of his own. He was repeatedly told by the M. M. to refrain from working for himself in the company's time. He was caught too often in the act, hence his discharge. He has a good record among the men in the shops, he was a great advocate of Henry George's single tax theory. James Powell, boiler maker in charge of round house work, peculiar to his trade, was discharged for loafing. The company was justified. On the 14th instant, Muleteer Major Anderson was discharged from the company's service for disobedience of orders and rough language by Mr. Joseph Roberts, M. M. Everything in regard to Mr. Annerson's discharge

DARBY.

ARMSTRONG, KAS., July 22, 1891.

Editor Magazine:

The weather for the past two weeks has been

exceptionally cool. On the sixth instant heavy wraps were worn by both sexes, and fires in the parlors were most acceptable. The cereal crops are reported good and abundant, with a good fruit crop assured. Though commercial and railroad business is decidedly easy with nothing doing in the house building line. In fact all industries of various kinds is in a normal state. I would advise those people seeking employment to give this place a wide berth. Work in the different departments of the shops is brisk, and in some of them rushing, particularly in the machine shop. The company is not hiring any men, only putting enough machinists on to replace those that quit.

Nomadism is still practiced by the machinists, There is not many first-class machinists traveling this way. There has been some changes made with the bosses and men since my last let

of the harness of the mule team that he was driving. The side of the company claims that Mr. Anderson refused point blank to clean and oil the harness, claiming the time too short. This talk happened about ten o'clock a. m. on the fourteenth. They were to be oiled and cleaned next morning, at the same time work the mules all that day. Mr. Roberts told Mr. Anderson that if he did not comply with his order he would put a man in his place immediately.

Mr. Anderson admits that he was willing that he should do so, knowing from experience he could not do the work in such a short space of time. Mr. Anderson claims he did not use any bad language towards Mr. Roberts, while others claim he did. Major Anderson has been a muleteer for the company for about twenty years and has rendered valuable service to the company during that time, always keeping his mules slick and clean and always at his post in the most inclememt weather. The harness in question is now kept together by rivets and nails and is now eight years on the backs of the mules through sunshine and storm. I mean during working hours. I do not believe that Mr. Roberts was justified in discharging Mr. Anderson, even though the discharged man was a little indiscreet in his lan

guage. I think, like a good many other men do, that it is cowardice on the part of a master mechanic or a foreman to threaten a man under their immediate charge in the presence of others, to say go and get your time, I will discharge you, or I will get a man in your place. I think if this language was applied to some of the foreman at Armstrong that the most of them would commit suicide inside of one week, for a great many of them get double the money their ability calls for and they know it.

David Lee, gang boss in erecting department of the machine shop, was lowered to the ranks, on the eighth instant, of a journeyman. Harry White of the tool room succeeds him.

Engine No. 782 was repaired under his supervision and on her first trip her driving boxes got hot. Thos, the higher officials, claimed that there was not enough of latterai motion in the boxes. I think that there is a nigger in the wood pile in his case, because he is a good mechanic. I have it from men in the back shop that are pretty well posted, that he is the best mechanic in that department. David, you are not the first man was sent to the rear on account of hot boxes and you will not be the last.

Some of the men in the boiler shop are making full time for the last two weeks, Jas. McCarrick takes Jas. Powell's place in the round house. They hired a new boiler maker to fill vacancy.

A good deal of overtime is made in the machine shop on running repairs.

The company had an extra gang of painters beautifying the ice houses, water tank, scale houses, depot and M. M. offices. It makes those

neat and trim.

Business on the road keeps decidedly dull notwithstanding the wheat crop of Kansas and Nebraska is saved and abundant. It is the policy of the alliance farmers of both states to hold their wheat crop for better prices. I know some of them have their wheat crop mortgaged to its full value before it is cut and cured.

cause, what the cause of the boom is beyond my calculations it is certain that for a time it will be comparatively dull here. General manufacturing must come in sufficient to give steady employment to men enough with their families to occupy the houses now built.

J. K. Choate, formerly our superintendent here, has his cotton mill about ready for occupation. Our present superintendent, Duncan, is largely interested in the natatorium lately opened here. He probably realizes that railroad life is not a very staple business to tie to, and that it is well to have something to fall back on.

Jay Gould and S. H. H. Clark were in town to-day, but the fact seems to have created no extraordinary excitement. They went on west from here. The shops here now are generally in a presentable appearence for visitors at all times.

Superintendent of Machinery, Mertzheimer, has been here part of the time the past week. McConnell and Dickinson passed through here a few days ago.

Affairs in the shops are about as usual; very few changes taking place, as few men are leaving. The private foundries and machine shops in the city are dull and have laid off a number of men, and the Rio Grande has also reduced forces.

L. A. 3218 has gained in membership the past quarter of the year.

T. B. McGuire of New York, will lecture here August 24th, under the auspicies of the Denver looked forward to as a treat, as he is known as Assemblies, and his coming is already being an interesting talker. He is the famous "Tom" of D. A. 49, New York City, and one of the much talked of "home club," regarding which there was, in some labor circles, so much noise about a few years ago. I predict a crowded house for

him.

week.