The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1907-12-07

Continued from Page one)
Booth mine on the shoulder of Columbia mountain which
may or may not have been intended for violent use. But
on the whole the camp was law-abiding and quiet, and
seemingly the last community on earth to need the pres
BARBAR1c ourRAGEs
But underneath the surface, there were things doing not
known to the general community. 1t had come to the com
mittee that the high binders of the Miners union were per-
petrating outrages the barbarity Of which was never ex-
ceeded in any camp in this country. Men were being
spotted by the lookouts of the union and trapped into
secret places and pounded and kicked ana E ! o ueau a.
because they were under suspicion and could not prove
their labor record 'clear.i' While some have been beaten
up and ordered to leave, others have completely disap-
peared aud believed to have been done away with or de-
ported in the manner so well known to the camp In the
early days.
The operators have been in possession OF facts
not known to the public generally, and which have not yet
been divulged. That committee, which has been working
the general public what is going on and it is presumed that
when they called upon the governor for troops, they De.
lieved the need was urgent. 1t would seem to presage that
the operators were about to attempt the opening OF the
mines, and that when they did make such an attempt, II
would be with men who owed allegiance to no other man
OF set OF men than their employer. The operators intend
to make of Goldfeld an open camp, and it is possible that
they also intend to reduce the wage scale. Should such an
attempt be made, it is only reasonable to suppose, from
like experiences in other camps Of the country, that trouble
would result, and it was with this In view douptless' mat
troops were called.
Friday morning the people of Goldfeld were further
astonished to see in their morning paper, an Associated
Press dispatch from San Francisco saying that two train
loads of troops would leave the Preside for Goldfeld that
day friday. Many had regarded the first announcement
from Washington as a possible ruse, for the intimidation OF
the lawlesse elements of Goldfeld. At the best they thought
the troops would not be sent in for some time-or at least
until some overt act had been committed, and they were
more than surprised to read that troops had been ordered TO
| Goldfeld forthwith, and would arrive during that day.
Many different expressions of opinion were heard on the
streets, but it was the consensus of opinion among business
men that the move was a wise one as it was better to an
tieipate trouble and prevent it than to have troops sent in
after bloodshed and arson had occurred.
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
Following is a narration Of the events of the week, lead
ing up to the arrival of troops.
On Saturday, November 10, a special meeting OF inc
union was called for the purpose of discussing the action
of the mine operators in declaring that the wages of the
employees would hereafter be paid in cashiers checks.
President MacKinnon announced the purpose OF the meet
ing, and made recommendations as follows:
THE POSITION OF HI UNION
This meeting is called for the purpose of considering the
best means of meeting the present financial crisis. Some OF
the mines are issuing checks in payment OF wages to tine
| men with the words Payable in Exchange written across
the face of the checks. l believe that we want the mines
to be operated, and the same time the men must be paid so
thew can use their pay without discount to procure the
necessities of life. We realize that until some new method
is put into action, money is hard to obtain. In order that
this whole matter may be properly considered, l recommend
that a committee of three () be selected to confer with a
like committee of Mine Operators, and that said committee
be empowered to assist in devising some way to meet the
present crisis. That said committee cooperate with the
Mine Operators in endeavoring to secure from the smelters
and mills the concession that all bullion procured as a re-
suit of mining in Nevada be sent to the mine, and coin de-
manded therefor, and that said smelters and mills then pay
for said ores in coin, and that the Mine Operators pay their
men in coin as soon as this arrangement can be satisfac-
torly brought into operation. That in the meantime such
method of payment be followed as will best enable the men
to meet their current expenses without loss. That where
checks are issued Payable in Exchange that said COM
mittee have the mine operators guarantee the payment
of said checks, or exchange, and have a time limit fixed for
the payment of the same in cash, and that everything be
done that is possible to put the business of Goldfeld upon
a cash basis, and that all checks, OF exchange, issued to the
men for wages, shall be the first ones paid in cash out OF
the products of the mines.
It was moved and carried that the recommendation be
adopted as read, and that a committee Of Goldfeld bankers
be also invited to join the conference. Marion w. Moor,
John Gallagher and John Gilbert were appointed on the
committee. They notified the secretary of the M. o. A. that
they desired to meet that body, together with a committee
of bankers, in order to discuss the financial situation in
Goldfeld; and they also enclosed the recommendations
adopted by the union as a basis for the conference.
A conference was held attended by both the COM
mittees of the Mine Owners and the Miners union, and at
their request John 8. Cook and others representing the
banks, were in attendance. The financial situation both
general and local was thoroughly discussed, the time con-
suming several hours. After, the Mine Owners sent the
following communication to the committee on the latters
request that the Mine Owners position as stated in the
conference, be submitted to writing.
THE FIRST LETTER OF MINE OWNERS
Goldfeld, Nevada, Nov, Is, 1907.
Local No. 220 of the W. F. NJ,
Goldfeld, Nevada:
Gentlemen-In answer to your communication of recent
date addressed to the Mine Operators of the Goldfeld dis
trict, a copy of which is as follows: (Here follows a copy
Of the recommendations Of President MacKinnon as
adopted by the union, and printed above).
A special meeting of the Mine Operators was held for
in this communication. After due elaboration on the part