New-York tribune., 1907-07-24
TO VISIT THE MINES.
GOVERNOR JOHNSON GOES.
Fear Of BIoodshed an Upper Lake
Iron Region.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I

Minneapolis. July Ex-Governor Johnson, at
the urgent request of Sheriff Bates of ST. Louis
County, will start on Wednesday morning for
the scene of the strike difficulty in that dis
trict. The Governor has received an answer to
his letter to Sheriff Bates inquiring as to the
conditions in the present dispute. The Sheriff
wrote a long reply. in which he asks the Gov
ernor to make a personal visit to the mining
country as soon possible. The Sheriff also
writes that Sheriff Nelson Of Lake County ex-
poets trouble among the dock laborers at Two
Harbors, and the Governor will investigate con-
dltions there personally.
Sheriff Bates says up until the present the
trouble has only been in spots, but that he be
heves If the strike spreads he will be unable t.
cope with the miners. For this reason he wants
the Governor TO study the needs Of the situation
The Governor states that he does not antici
pate that there will be any need OF calling out
the state troops
1 want to be on the ground 10 see if some
amicable settlement cannot be made without re
course to the state troops" said Governor john
son tonight. II sincerely hope that 1T will not
be necessary to take such drastic action. I be-
lieve that the trouble can and will be settled
peacefully. OF course, l do not know just what
the conditions are, and therefore 1 am unable at
present TO say just what will be done"
The Governor was in conference all this morn
Ing with Frank b. Kellogg and c. 5. Severance.
attorneys for the United States Steel Company.
Mr.. Kellogg stated emphatiCaly that his visit
with the Governor had nothing to do with the
strike situation in the northern part Of the state
Mr.. Kellogg asserted that the Governor is in
communication with the public officials the
range and knows more about the conditions
there than Mr.. Kellogg himself. Adjutant Cen
eral Wood arrived at the capital this morning
and VIII take the Governor 10 Lake City this
afternoon. where he Will review the troops. The
Governor Will return tonight and leave st Paul
early in the morning for Duluth
In case the National Guard Is called upon there
two thousand men available. These could
be organized and ready for action in twenty
four hours, according TO the ad djutant general.
There are 130 national guardsmen, comprising
compnaies A and G Of the Sd Regiment at Du-
luth. There are nine companies and two bat
teries in the twin cities and the I'd Regiment IS
in camp.
BloodShed on the iron range is a probability
within two OF three days in the opinion of Sher-
in w y. Gerber. OF Ramsey County. who re
turned yesterday with prisoner from Superior.
Il met Sheriff Bates when l got of the train
at Duluth" said Sheriff Gerber "and he invited
me 10 go with him 10 Hbbng 1t was good
chance TO how a nasty situation is handled
and went with him I in Hbbing all day
Sunday and talked with many Of the business
men and some Of the miners.
Things quiet at Hbbng. but word was
received there that the strikers were parading
with red flags at Virginia Sparta and Eveleth
The sheriff has sworn In two hundred deputies
at HlODlng and each man Is well armed. one
Of the regular deputies remained at Hibbng IN
charge OF the situation there while Mr.. Bates
went To Virginia. His intention was TO swear
In special deputies at Virginia. Sparta and Eve
ieth. but when I left nothing had been heard
from him.
The business men with whom l talked at
Hlbbing told that they expect the real
trouble 10 start the strikers out
OF money. which probably will be In two or
three days. The deputies armed with revolv-
ers. and they expect. should trouble start, to be
assisted by the miners who want 10 go to work
as we'll by the general population Of the
town. I told that the satisfied miners will
without doubt support the authorities should
fighting begin"
The feature OF the situation which makes II
OF unusual interest Is the fact that many OF
the mines are the property of the state, from
which II derives considerable revenue in the
way Of royalties the output. With the closing
down OF the mines not only the lessees and
operators are affected, but the revenues OF the
state are also reduced.
Just what effect this will have on the sltua-
ton ia stin question Attorney General E. T.
Young was not in the city yesterday.