Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-10

"uultpI la dcncleuvy appropriation
amounting TO s2h621 TO cover IN, cS.
penses of the National Guard Of Utah
In Carbon county, In the lattcr part Of
1903, aud the beginning of 1904. I'm or.
der that YOU may the bcttcr understand
the reason for this deficit. BRIEF nc.
count of the trouble ana it's caugcs rs
here submitted.
Early in November 1903, il became
apparent that trouble was arising
among the coal miners Of Carbon coun-
~, where the most important coal
mines OF the state are located. It soon
developed that n general strike among
these miners was TO be ordered. and Ia
ne extended as far rs the influence Of
lhe agitators could be carried. Tho
purpose OF this strike was 10 gccurp
correction or certain grievances held
against the company operating the
mines, The strike, when It was carried
INTO effect, involved the miners
working In nearly all the large
mines In that locality. The chief
principle at stake IN the contention be-
tween the miners and the operators.
seems to have been the refusal ON the
part OF the operators to recognize the
miners union.
Inc members Of this union reported
soon after the commencement OF the
~ me, tuht they were being interfercd
win ly armed men, whom they sup
posed TO be employees Of the coal COM
pany, deputized as sherlms. Inquiry
into this report brought from the sheriff
OF Carbon county the statement, en-
dorsed by the county attorney. and
otner men prominent I'm official and eli
VII circles, that attempts were being
made by the striking miners and their
sNmpathizers, to intimidate the miners
who refused to join In the strike. and to
prevent them from continuing their
work. This intimidation according to
the shcriff's report consisted In the use
OF threats OF violence, and I'm actual as
Saults. lie stated that he had made
several arrests, and had I'm other ways
attempted to preserve the peace; but
his resources We're exhausted. and he
felt II his duty to call ON the governor
of the state for assistance IN queling
the trouble. Reports came from other
sources, confirming the statements Of
the sheriff. but no action was taken by
the chief executive for some time, In
the hope that the local authorities
would still be able to cope with the
situation. But the trouble became each
day more serious and 1t was soon APP
parent that official action would have TO
be taken.
Accordingly, an officer Of the national
guard was sent by the governor TO in
Vestigate the trouble, and make rec
concentrations As result of this in
vestigation, and Of evidence coming
from other sources, II was decided that
the trouble was serious enough to de-
mand immediate action on the part of
the state. But before final steps were
taken conferences were held by the
governor with members Of the Legisla-
ture state officials, and other leading
citizens. The sense of this conference
was that, I'm view OF the reports pre-
scented, further delay would be danger
Gus; that the situation should be met at
once. and that they, with other law
abiding citizens of the state, would
share the responsibility with the COVER
nor. I'm accordance with this advice,
and with the facts presented, the gov
emor gave orders to the national guard
TO proceed to Carbon county and quell
the disturbance.
The troops were kept IN the field 60
days In ALL but as many as could be
spared were sent home as long before
the expiration Of that time as possl-
BILE Fortunately no bloodshed result
ed from the trouble.
There were no funds on hand for the
governor TO use I'm meeting the eX-
penses of this expedition. According
IT, "A loan was negotiated with the Ma
tional Park Bank OF New York, for
5000, due In one year, with interest
at the rate OF per cent per annum
The disbursement of this amount is
represented by proper vouchers, APP
proved by the state board Of exam
iners, and on file In the office of the
state auditor. The first six months
interest on this note has been paid out
of the National Guard fund The note
with interest for the second six
months, amounting In all 10 $25,625,
will be due on January % 1905. | rec
ommend that special appropriation he
made at once TO cover this indebted
ness,
| am OF the opinion that a fund
should be placed at the disposal of the
governor. TO be used I'm case of riot or
Instruction. To give the governor
power to call out the state militia 10
oucll insurrection. and not provide him
with fund with which to meet the
necessary expenses incurred, Is an in
consistency, and may lead to some en-
barrassment.
NATIONAL GUARD OF UTAH
The report Of the adjutant general OF
the national guard for the past two
wears. has been submitted II shows
that this organization Is Of great I'M
portance to the state. 1t is looked up
ON as an indispensable part OF the
military defense Of the nation ana or
the state 1t is OF the utmost import
ance that the national guard be tos-
tered. and its efficiency Increased
The report shows considerable inli-
,ng-off in the membership Of the guard
I'm the past two years, | am advised
that II the MEMBERSHIP should iall
below 800 before the next regular m
spectlon, the result would be the loss
10 the guard OF the govern
ment appropriation OF So,ooo
II seems to me that lhauceneil'51
should he held out for the able bodied
n,cn NJ our state, to enter the guard
ana remain members, In order that the
oiIicIency of the organization SHAH not
be decreased, and the appropriation ny
tho government not forfeited. 1t Is TO be
hoped that something can be done to
continue the very efficient work OF this
part OF our state organization.
The report further sets forth that on
account of the increased work requlr-
ed OF the guard. II would be advisable
IN Increase the compensation OF the adj
iutant general making II possible for
him TO give more attention to the duties
of his office. II Is also suggested that
an appropriation be made for an arm-
DRY, to provide for the recreation ana
comfort OF the officers aud men, and
| the better protection Of the arms and
supplies OF the organization. The rec
ommendaton IL also made by tho adj
| jutant general that a larger appropri-
| alton be made than has been made IN
| the past, to ensure longer encampments
than were possible during the past two
| years, You WILL OF course, give this
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