The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1907-12-21

The executive committee of the Mine Operators associa-
ton presented to the United States commissioners the OIL
lowing suggestions:
"First-The protection of life and property which comes
from the presence of a body of United States troops at or
"second-The bringing of a suit against the Western
Federation of Miners by the United States for the dissolution
of that organization as a trust. combination and conspiracy
in restraint of trade among the states.
"Third-The bringing of criminal proceedings against the
organization. its officers and MEMBERS for combination and
conspiracy in restraint of trade among the states.
"Fourth-A complete and thorough investigation by you
gentlemen of all the conditions in Southern Nevada, to be
followed by such recommendations as you see fit.
THAT this organization is a conspiracy in restraint OF
Goldfeld produce and handle ore that Is nearly all shipped
to other states and there converted into metals. This organ
ization interrupts and prevents this interstate business.
A T-REAsoNADLE ORGANIZATION
I'VE also charge that this organization is reasonable in
character. While perhaps no overt act Of levying war or
adhering to the enemies of the United States might be proven
within the technical definition of treason given in the Con-
stitution. the intent and purpose are ever present. This So
called union carries the red flag in it's procession. eschews
the stars and stripes, and lines the walls of its meeting place
with anarchistic and reasonable utterances. 1t has fore
sworn it's allegiance to the United States and placed itself
under the blood-red banner of anarchy.
$50 far as the mine owners of the Goldfeld mining dis
trict are concerned. we have taken our stand and purpose to
remain there. We will not now nor in the future compro-
mise with crime.
"As already stated, we stand ready to prove all of our al
legations to you gent1emen Nt
The association reviews the trouble in March and April
and submits the resolutions adopted at the memorable meet
ing at the Montezuma club when the law and order element
declared for the determination Of the l. w. w. In introduce
ing the complaint the association says:
THE OPERATORS Co1PLAENT
1.-The Goldfeld Mine Operators association begs leave to
submit to you the following statement of facts concerning
the present Industrial conditions in the camp of Goldfeld:
This association has been in existence for less than
thirty days. 1t is the successor to the association known as
the Goldfeld Business Mems and Mine Owners association.
first organized on the 18th day of March. 1907. The circum-
stances necessitating the organization of the Goldfeld Bust
ness Mems and Mine Owners association are briefly as
follows:
Prior to March 18th. 1907. there had been unsettled labor
conditions in the Goldheld mining district, accompanied by
a number of strikes for various causes. The district at that
time was ruled absolutely by an organization known as Gold
deld Miners union No. 220 of the Western Federation of
were in existence in the Goldfeld district. with the exception
Of the Carpenters union. and possibly one or two trades
unions of a similar character. The Western Federation of
Miners at that time was known as the mining department Of
the Industrial Workers of the World. The people of Gold
field knew or cared little about the Industrial Workers of
the World generally, but were very much concerned with the
had been at one time a separate union called the Industrial
Workers of the World, and also the Goldfeld Miners union
No. 220. but these had amalgamated some time in the fall
of 1906 and were all members of the one union.
1.-THE tyranny of this union in dealing with the business
men and mine owners Of Goldfeld prior to March Is. 1907.
had become unbearable. A rupture had occurred between the
Industrial Workers of the World and the Carpenters union,
which resulted on the sth of March in the closing down of
all the mines in the Goldfed district.
"on the 10th Of March an Italian restaurant keeper by the
name of Silva, who had incurred the enmity of the union by
reason Of his feeding at his restaurant some carpenters who
did not belong to the union, and whose restaurant had been
declared unfair, was called to his door about dark in the
and shot down in cold blood. Preston Immediately went to
the union hall, where he was surrounded by his friends and
kept in concealment for a day or SO. This act so wrought
upon the nerves and feelings of the people Of Goldfeld that
a meeting of the business men was called the next day at the
Montezuma club and a committee was appointed: and on
March 14th at a still larger meeting the Goldheld Business
Mems and Mine Owners association was organized.
sPENT TKoUsANDs ron sAYETY
This association at that time March and Aprr) spent
between $4,000 and $4,000 in patrolling the streets Of Gold
field. They were compelled to keep practically an armed