Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-13
UNION FORCES WIN BACK
DESERTERS
ARREST OF OPERATORS is, MEMS
THREAT
Funston Looks Over Situation and
Reports to Neutrality-suspicious.
Necessary Precaution, Is
Declaration of General
By Associated Press.

GOLDFlEDD, NeV, Dec. l1.-lne iifee
day of the attempt to reopen the mines
of Goldfield without the aid of the West
ern Federation of Miners has passed and
there has been not a single instance or
attempted violence or disorder in the
camp. Unarmed pckets of the Goldfield
miners union have approached as close
to the scene of operations as the armed
guards of the Mine Owners association
would permit, and have succeeded in in
ducing some of those who had signed
the agreement to return to work 10
violate that agreement and leave the
mines.
Gen. Frederick Funston arrived at
noon and his coming seems to have
helped the situation greatly and to
have strengthened the constantly grow
ing impression that the fearful incidents
of strikes in other mining camps are
not to be repeated here.
1t is stated tonight that the leaders
of the strike have secured what evidence
they want to prosecute some OF the
mining operators under a state statute,
which makes it crime, punishable by
a fine of not less than twenty, nor
more than one hundred and fifty days, or
both. to require any employe to promise
or agree not to become a member or
remain a member of any labor organi-
zation. Arrests may be expected at any
time. it is said by some, while others
characterize the whole report of probable
arrests as bluff.
Funston in Conference
After conference with President
Charles H. Mackinnon, of the Goldfield
Miners union, Gen. Funston sent
report to washington tonight regarding
the situation in Goldfeld. The conference
with President Mackinnon took place at
6 o'clock and was the last of series
of conferences which Gen. Funston
has been holding since his arrival here
today at 1880.
Governor Sparks, Col. Reynolds. in
command of the troops, Acting President
Dowlen and Secretary Erb, of the Gold
field Mine Owners association and others
were called into these conferences and
Gen. Funston wasted no time in
acquainting himself with an outline, at
least, of the conditions that prevail
here.
While Gen. Funston refused to say to a
representative of the Associated Press
what is contained in his report to Wash
ington he said that it contains nothing
in regard to the probable length of
the stay of the troops in Goldfield, but
would be confined to the needs for them
at the present time.
"The regulars will be here at least
until after the arrival of the labor COM
missioners from Washington" said Gen.
Funston. ''This means that they will be
here for another week, and 1 have no
doubt they will remain much longer
than that, or at least portion of the
number now here will.
Hearing All Sides
"I am hearing all sides of the question
as to the necessity for the troops in
lI-s.. "a.
and order. and it is too soon after my
arrival for me to have obtained an
opinion. My report tonight will simply
set forth my view of the situation as
/ have obtained it from the people whom
have seen today.
"It must be understood that I am not
here to go into the merits of the dispute
between the mine owners and the miners.
That is what the commissioners are COM
ing from washington for. They doubtless
will go deeply into the merits of the
grievances of both sides. but I am
simply going to determine whether the
continued presence of the troops, or at
least a part of them, in Goldfeld, will
prevent disorder and riot and bloodshed.
l am convinced that the presence of the
troops thus far has been a necessary pre-
caution.
martial law should be a last resort,
L
been great violence committed and the
local authorities have proven themselves
unable to stop any outrages, such as
the destruction of life or property. Either
the president or the governor of the
state must declare martial law, and in
the event that it be the governor L
shall consider that the regulars are at
his service, just as would be the state
militia, provided Nevada had such an
Tn, fan &c 10 Z
, the regulars are here to take the place
of state militia during the present
crisis.
Reynolds in Command
"Col Reynolds remains in command
of the troops now encamped here, and l
am here to make a report on the situa-
ton and to direct things in the event of
serious trouble.
mo man can say what amount OF
trouble is to grow out of this situation,
of course. but I am trying to get at the
possibilities for the trouble, and for that
reason / sought an interview with
President Mackinnon and other leaders
In the local miners union in order to
hear their side of it, and to judge for
myself of their frame of mind and dis
position to bring about any dis
turbances"
Gen. Funston did not visit the military
camps until late in the afternoon. and it
was nightfall before he could find time
TO go over the ground and acquaint him
self with the lay of the land, and the
location of the mines and the mills.
President Mackinnon stated after the
interview with Gen. Funston that he had
told the general that he and other of
fioers of the miners union would do all
in their power to prevent trouble Of any
kind and he pointed to the fact that
no attempts have been made today to
molest any of the men who have de-
serted the union and gone back to work
in the mines
(Continued on Page Two)