The Washington times., 1907-12-23
PLOT DISCOVERED
IN NEVADA STRIKE
Mine Owners Alleged to
Have Planned Against
Roosevelt and Union.
President Saw Scheme and
viii Try to Keep Labor
Vote.

There is strong suspicion among peo-
pie familiar with the inside facts of the
Nevada labor troubles that an effort
has been made to drag President ROOse-
welt into a position that would have
done serious injury TO his party In the
coming campaign. The President de-
clined to step into the trap. and thereby
probably saved his party from the dan
ger OF losing a lot OF electoral votes in
the mountain States and possibly IN
other parts OF the country.
II the President had done what was
wanted OF him he would have put him
self In the position OF using Federal
troops to enforce the open shop IN Ne
vada- That is believed to be Just what
tho mine owners and allied interests
wanted to do in the labor troubles in
the State. They were IN position to
appeal to the National Administration,
because Nevada has no militia of its
own. It is charged that there was
something amounting to a conspiracy 10
force a situation in which the Federal
Government could be used to fight the
battle for the open shop, which If won
in Nevada would have greatly weakened
the Western Federation OF Miners in
other States.
Story of Rich Mans Plot.
The President sent troops when there
seemed need Of them to maintain order.
but he sent representatives to look into
conditions IN the state. and they report
ed that there was no real need of such
Intervention. Back of the sharp re-
buke which the President administered
TO Governor Sparks when the facts had
Nn- FFrraf f.a Hn 81
an alleged plot of political and mOneyed
interests in the State to smash the
unions as the big interests IN Colorado
smashed them, but to use Federal
Such a thing would have aroused the
whole mountain West and would have
precipitated trouble in other States, il
is believed, OF most serious character
II would nave placed in the hands OF
the Democrats an argument that would
have been most effectively used neXt
year, especially in the event Of Taft's
nomination by the Republicans. Taft
labor on account Of ms judicial record
To Keep Labor Vote.
The hackers OF Secretary Taft insis
that in this matter Of his LABOR attitude
and record he has been greatly misrep-
resented, and that when tho full and
fair analysis OF that record IS placed be-
fore the country, as 1t IS certain TO bt
in the processes Of a campaign, he vii
not lose anything Ike the strength
which some OF his opponents claim viii
desert him because Of his labor decis-
ions.
Whether they are right or wrong, poll
ticians all concede that it would be
most unfortunate for the party 70 take
ON any new troubles calculated 20 ac-
centuate the feeling In labor's ranks
The Republicans have been getting more
than their share Of labor's vote for
long time. on the prosperity issue tt
have this issue weakened and then e
suffer a complication with the open shoI
question, would be decidedly unfortu,
nate.
The President is altogether too good
politician 10 permit any such situa
tiOn TO arise. He has taken the Nevadf
situation squarely in hand. and is de
termined that he will be the victim o.
no bUnCO game.