The labor situation throughout the Lead Belt this week has considerably improved. The different lead companies involved began hiring new men and putting many of their old employees back to work the first of the week. As a result there are now probably 500 more men working at the plants of the Federal, Doe Run and National, than there were this time last week.
The men employed are being questioned as to whether or not they took part in the riot. It is generally reported that men who took a prominent part in the riot will experience considerable difficulty in obtaining employment at any of the mines in the Lead Belt.
There has been nothing accomplished toward reaching an agreement between the companies and the men. From present indications it is not likely that there will be any. The trouble, it is thought, will gradually wear itself out.
Martin Weiss, an attorney of St. Louis, who claims to represent the foreigners who were driven from the district, was in Flat River Sunday. He was of the opinion, after talking with many of the foreigners who have returned since the riot, that they will not long remain in the district. He said the foreigners claimed they were being threatened underground, and that many of them have decided to leave the district permanently.
Weiss also said that the foreigners had filed with him some 900 claims for damages against the Federal government. The claims range from amounts as low as $20 up to several hundred. The damages claimed are for loss of furniture, clothing, etc.