The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1907-12-14
NINE OWNERS STATEMENT

establishing change rooms to prevent the Wholesale tealin~
OF ores; November and December. 1907. because the mines
were compelled to adopt a system OF paying wages IN
cashiers checks. the only medium of exchange obtainabie in
Goldheld- In passing We would also call attention to the
fact that in January. 1904 II was expressly agreed as one OF
the conditions of the settlement of that strike that the mines
might establish change rooms in April 1t was agreed that no
strike would be called without a referendum vote and two
thirds vote would be necessary. but both the August and No
vember strikes were called without any such referendum
vote. The annual convention of the Western Federation of
Miners also adopted a rule that no local union could call a
strike without a two-thirds referendum vote. The Goldheld
union will not stand by it's own written agreement or the
solemn rules of the organization to which it belongs.
sixth-Not content with this record of strikes in Gold
Geld itself. the union by a majority vote declared itself in
favor of a sympathetic strike to aid a local union in the
s,ate OF California. The union at Bishop. Cal. had declared
a strike against the Nevada California Power company.
which furnishes all the electric light and power for Goldneld
and Southern Nevada. A strong effort was made to get the
local unions in the Southern Nevada camps to so on SYM
pathetic strike In every instance except Goidheid the local
unions voted down the propositions almost unanimously, but
here the agitators were able to secure a substantial ma
jority. hut fortunately less than the required two-thirds. A
strike of that kind would have shut on the electricity Of the
camp. leaving 1t without light. water or power.
seventh-An of the strikes have been accompanied by the
usual threates of violence to life and property. In March
and April a citizens committee spent thousands of dollars
in patrolling the streets of the city day and night. to guard
against fire. murder and outrage. With every strike all the
mines. mills. reduction plants. power plants. large buildings.
banks and important pieces of property have been guarded
day and night. And Individual mine owners and operators
have been forced to place armed guards in and around their
homes. Wives and children have been compelled to sleep
for weeks with a Waterman in the adjoining room. keeping
the vigiis of the night with a sawed-on shot gun across his
knees. The union Is known to have bought ana mad In its
possession at least two hundred ana fifty stands OF arms
with a bountiful supply of ammunition.
The above is a brief summary of the conditions as they
actually exist and have existed in Goldfeld. While the dis
trict attorney has done his duty. and We believe the sheriff
of the county. 'and constable of the precinct are personally
honest and sincere in their desire to enforce the law. their
environment is such that it is impossible for them to do So
Goldfeld is upon a desert, almost two hundred miles in every
direction from a settled country. 1t has been a rendezvous
for all lawless elements and anarchistic agitators; so when
the mine owners determined to throw of their letters they
laid the above facts before the governor of the state and
asked for his assistance. He has responded by having the
federal government send troops to the scene for use in case
~ pacaccify M one a object or CRITICS this actor The
law-abiding have nothing to fear; we trust the criminal will
flee even If no man pursueth.
The mine owners have notified the Goldfeld Miners union
that all contracts, agreements and understandings hereto
fore existing are at an end. We propose to adopt fair and
reasonable rules for the operation of our properties and en-
ploy men irrespective of whether they belong to the union.
We believe enough courageous and fair-minded miners are in
Goldfeld who are weary of the tyranny of the union, and
who know that they will receive ample protection. will come
forward and work the mines. If there are. they will be given
the preference, but II there are not, we will be compelled to
secure them from other sources.
GoLDFIELD MINE OWNERS ASSOCIATION.