The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1907-03-23
THE MINERS ASSERTING THEMSELVES

Las week. in ommentin o the labor situation in addhed, the News as
thar a half score of autators. and that he great majority # members of the
Industrial Workers of the World we're honest. lawabiding and veil meaning
in reality opposed to he trouble breeders AM ready t0 secede rom the l. ".
W. If the opportunity presented ITSELF
The vents of the week fully confirm this optimistic expression Tor several
of the trade and labor crafts have pulled away from the / ". w. and have
applied for charters in the American Federation of Labor, whose organizer is
tbs local w w nd settle all natter, Affecting thu mine orker without the
participation Of dishwashers WATERS Transfers an street n bal. room loafers
This is a signal victory for the conservatives among IL miners and imres
a solution If the present difficulties as far as the organic law of the general
organization will permit 1t is 10 up to the miners to determine or themselves
the other ISSUE, whether they will segregate themselves entirely from the local
/ W. W, and withdraw active cooperation with that organization in their local
affairs. II favorable action is taken upon this proposition, then the mines will
be at work within "a houst thereafter. There is n . disposition e believe upon
he part he employers to force Or even urge, the miners to withdraw from
the national l. W. W. organization. but simply seve all offensive and defensive
connection with the local organization, remaining a part only of the general fed
Grafton att least until the mex annual convention in May.
This is certainly a reasonable demand, and the conservative element among
tween n class o employees \ their employer was ukelyt to embrou everv
trade in the dispute and tie Up the entire camp. For instance. if the dish wash
es felt it a grievance to be compelled to wash three dishes when they wanted to
wash but two, thu matter could be taken before the l. w W. If that body sup
ported the dihwashers, then every craft in h camp, from miners to store clerks
could be called ut o. strike to make the demand of the dishwashes effective
This is al extreme case,b but under the conditions, not impossible, an it could
reoccm as frequently as my fanchd grievance arose with N Of the affnating
crafts, an the camp be kept in CONSTANT turmoil. OF course, the result would
be the early DEATH of aoldheld and thu self destruction IF labor's opportunity
There is nothing in comm between the dish washers OF the camp and the
W. noor ma cap'ai winch nus DC ousn' " 'e aean, WIN an avn "a
whatever kind arayed against capital, to the determination o. the ne pr both
, %pAe' NIT no - " .as,us,.n. 80 : nor cent mon sss5o 70 he ..captaist with
ss65oo, mustg get 3 per cent pon that money before h cal realize as muc as
the wage worker He must employ that money somehow. H must put it to
work. and often he works with it, without more than S per cet for mis- time and
Investment And if he employs it or loans it, he takes a risk of losing the
whole amount "a risk that is lot suffered by tn wag worker But in either
thu returns whether to the wage worker or capitalist" involves and
necesdtates the same element time and effort, and both are entitled 20 heir
wage. This is a simple proposition worked tut to the satisfaction of a greatm ma
jrity of wage workers, am they will not allow the teachings of a class of NAL
contents who have neither the money IN brains to earn N income Tor the energy
and manhood Ito put their Drawn to work, u VIII would We off the Increment
that others create. They are the vandals who wou set fire to a village only to
loot it.. And it is from thu domination Of these men that the onservativ eee
ment is trying to break away.
The News stated last week that here was nj disposition on the part of the
employers to force n mine workers to abandon their national organization
the weternF Federation of Mners.n nor to disturb the hom and wage saen nov in
effect We were sustained in this statement by the executive committee of the
min owners, who issued, during the week, the following statement:
"As sme misapprehenIon seems to exist in the minds of a number of miners
in this district as to the meaning OF he resolutions adopted by the Business
Mems ant Min Owners Association of Goldfed, we wish 10 make or position
clear to III miners OF. the district. No declaration o. var has been issued or is
felt by this association against the Western Federation # Miners We believe
that among III miner of Goldfeld are I'M of h best men in the world, N we
desire to retain them and to remain m the fnendnest terms with them The pr
mt and we will be- perfectly satisfied if they regain am keep control OF thro own
local Union No. go, AM sever their connection in the Goldfed mining district
with the Industialw Workers of the World. There is no intention OF disturbing
present conditions as to hours Or wages and when the object above stated has
been accomplished, h association believes tina n agreement can be signed
between III mineo wnersa and miners, guaranteeing the present hours and wages
for any number of years that may be mutually agreed upon'
This is a lucid and succinct statement of the proposition of thu mne owners
Of cc,dfed, and itmeets with the approval If every employer of labor in the
camp. With action concurring IN thisp position. therew oul be nothing sacrifice
by the miners of Goldhad in the way of wage but o. the other hand they would
make certain the prevailing wage and hour SCALE the most liberal enjoyed by
anv minin community IN the fact of he earth, and cinch that's scale for a term
covering a number of years. Intermittant labor disturbances would be a thing
preserye their right to organization, retain their standing and fellowship in the
Western Federation of Miners, and be saved the humiliation OF being presided
over in thir ocl organization by a br tender and a restaurant waiter.
We express the belief that the miners OF Goldfeld will grasp this opportunity
- gatherings their condition, both individually and as an organization. They may
-. sr time be bile TO bring about the full consummaton, tut in time possibly
moi until be generate convention of the Western Federation OF Miners in May
80 nil h,ear awavf from entanghng alliances an become al independent body
rssa laws Of the Industrial Workers Of the World are numbered in this camp and
a.. a.v ~ the INDEPENDENCE of the mine worker has arrived.
rur COMMITTEE OF SAFETY