LEAD AND ZINC MINING. One of the most important industries in Missouri is the productions of the various lead and zinc mines, yet the mining laws of the State do not apply to any character of mining except coal mining, and in consequence no statistical information concerning our lead industry can be obtained, except such as is voluntarily given by the operators. It is hoped that an occupation so important to the State, and so hazardous to the lives and health of the operatives, will have thrown round it at least the same protection of law as now regulates coal mining. In the report on "the resources of the United States," Mr. Kirchoff, Jr., in an article on "the lead industry of the United States," gives 19,676 tons as the lead product of the States of Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin during the year 1884. From the following report of the St. Joseph Lead Company it will be seen that the product of this one mine alone, for the year 1885, is 9,648 tons, or very near onehalf of the product of the above named States. A full report of this product will certainly prove that Missouri is one of the leading States in the production of lead, and may perhaps show it to be equal to Colorado, whose lead product in 1884 was 63,165 tons out of a total product in the United States of 139,897 tons: OFFICE OF ST. JOSEPH LEAD COMPANY, BONNE TERRE, ST. FRANCOIS Co., Mo., Nov. 7, '85. J MR. OSCAR KOCHTITZKY, Commissioner Labor, etc., Jefferson City, Mo.: DEAR SIR: In reply to yours of the 29 ultimo, requesting information as to the number of laborers employed by us, wages paid, and output of lead for one year. We employ from six hundred to eight hundred men. The wages vary from one dollar, for common labor (about twenty men in all), to two dollars and fifty cents; a few men get more. Our entire work is based upon the eight-hours per-day system. Our output for the year ending April 30, 1885, was 9,648 tons of lead. We endeavor to supplement the wages of our employes, by secur ing for them medical attendance and hospital accomodations, giving them a choice of either of four regular physicians and surgeons, at a cost of six dollars a year for single men and twelve dollars for a man of family. These services and the facilities and advantages of the hospital are available to every man in our employ, who chooses to have the same. We seek to keep down the cost of market supplies and other necessaries of living, to our men, as far as possible. It would give us pleasure to receive a visit from you at your convenience, when we will cheerfully add any information you desire to the items herein referred to. I am Very respectfully yours, J. WYMAN JONES, President. OFFICE OF ROWLAND HAZARD, MINE LA MOTTE, MADISON Co., Mo., Jan. 6, '86. OSCAR KOCHTITZKY, ESQ., Commissioner, Jefferson City, Mo.: } DEAR SIR: Replying to yours of Oct. 29, last, our production of "Anchor" lead for the year 1885 was 76,171 pigs, at eighty pounds per pig, 6,093,680 pounds. Our pay-rolls, semi-monthly, show an average of 325 names. Wages range from ninety cents to two dollars and fifty cents per diem. Miners working for themselves, selling us their mineral, and miners working on contract can earn more than the maximum. Yours truly, W. B. COGSWELL, Agent. |