New-York tribune., 1907-12-22
NEW GAS POINT RAISED. Gov SPARKS EXPLAINS
Mistake to Order Troops from Gold
field, He Says.

Reno, New, Dec. 21-Fron his sick bed to-day
Governor Sparks made the following explanation of
his act in asking President Roosevelt send troops
to Goldfeld:
according my best Judgment. l believed from
advices received from confidential agents in Gold
camps. knew that dynamite had been stolen from
fe MINES that the miners We're armed and and PREPARED
ing men from working We're damaging property, 1
authorities TO cope with the situa ton.
l made these facts known to the President, and in
be sent to prevent trouble. thought good could
% H eans s9ec ancs be aq OF .e Of M
troops there has been no violence And this is why why
were regular soldiers on the ground there would be
no outbreak, but feared. and had reason to fear,
would be riot and bioodshed o,
s me i WAS IN Godsd alvessaied ea,nd b
business men were afraid of violence and that the
women were in terror Dozens of women have left
the camp because they feared trouble l found
that thai there S was 2 band Of high
conviction Of any ore thieves 1 learned that
of the miners and that the spirit of many of the
men men. is & such as to warrant me in believing that
While General Funston was there I conferred
ough investigation, seeking information from all
sources. he told me that II was his opinion that
considered this situation grave. and he gave to
s that he Inc en my ny In
that portion of the troops would remain in Gold
Ppesiden, has evidently acted upon
the advice Of the commission which he sent to
their Investigations were perforce much more in
ba~s sT had high by for the
President, but believe he has made serious mis-
Of Goldfed but fear that before many days have
passed. some violent outbreak will prove the un-
have given thought , to issuing 9 special call
plish anything by so doing. I Would not hesitate
second I shall do all in my power to maintain
order. however
San Francisco. Dec. N.-General Frederick Fun
ston has returned from Goldfeld. where he had
been since December u. investigating the trouble
between the Mine Owners Association and the
Western Federation Of Miners.
There is no denying the fact that the situation
in Goldfeld is delicate said the general LAS
things stand the camp 1 do not look for
trouble. The troops have avoided displaying SYM
pathy for either side. and the majority Of the
union miners peaceaby inclined. But the
mine owners have taken a very determined stand.
and given their utimatum that they will never
again employ member Of the federation They
declare that they will operate their mines with
non-union labor. and. although they have not yet
done to any extent. believe there will be seri-
GUS trouble Il they start to import non-union
miners from the outside.
LAS TO the merits Of the case, it is not easy TO
form opinion"
GoldheId. New. Dec A.-No communication from
the Mine Owners Association the civic bodies
Of the city gone to President Roosevelt regard
ing the removal Of the federal troops plan Of
action has been formd which. 1t is believed. will
meet all requirements. Sheriff Ingalls, is consider
ing the main feature Of his plans for maintain
ing oder the organization of large force OF
DEPUTIES 10 be much like a company Of state
militia President Dowlen Of the Mine Owners
Association is still in favor Of abandoning the
mines for year. Members Of President Roose-
velt's investigating commission left here to-day
for Ios Angeles and will return to Washington.