The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-09
MINE OWNERS
DEFY MINERS
At COLDF|ElO

Goldheid. New. Dec. 9.-The mine own
ers say that they will reopen their mines
during the present week with non-union
men, dofying the 10000 strikers and rely
ing upon the presence OF the Federal
troops to maintain order.
Both sides say freely that the fight Is
on and that this is TO be n battle to a
finish and that they are prepared for IL.
Neither side pretends that the question
OF accepting the scrip issued by the John
s. Cook company bank was ever anything
more than an excuse 10 bring the whole
long list OF grievances on either side TO
an issue
Every indication points 10 the fact that
Wednesday next has been decided on as
the day when men will be put into the
mines TO pump out the water, now fast
filing the lower levels.
There are now nine companies OF troops
here. the second detachment from Monte
rey having gone into permanent camp on
Combination hill. within 900 yards OF the
mill OF the Goldheld Consolidated Mining
company.
Col. Reynolds, commanding all OF the
troops here. is quartered I'm a tent in the
first camp and will remain there. He re-
fuses 10 say whether he will detail sol
diers TO patrol the mines when the at
tempt is made TO reopen. but merely says
that the troops are here 10 preserve order
and that they are prepared TO handle the
situation.
Sheriff Ingalls, OF Esmeralda county, In
which Goldheld is located. has gone 10
some distant mines and the sheriff's Of
fee is i'm the hands OF Under Sheriff Bert
knight, who asserts that he is amply able
TO deal with any crisis that may arise
from the attempt to reopen the mines.
He has sworn I'm dozen deputies.
He characterizes the statements by the
mine owners that the union men are arm
ing TO make trouble as false and says
that I'm his belief no effort win be made TO
prevent the mine owners from working
the mines with whatever men they may
employ.
A telegram which the sheriff sent 20
Governor Sparks protesting against the
presence OF Federal troops In Goldfeld re-
mains unanswered.
From what can be gathered IL seems
probable that the Mine Owners associa-
tion was responsible for the presence OF
the Federal troops here. but that IL was
not originally intended that troops should
be sent at this time. IT was intended to
have them I'm readiness TO respond 10 an
urgent call. but when the fact became
public that the sending OF troops was
contemplated the governor was told that
II would be best to have them upon the
ground. because the miners were incensed
that troops were being held in readiness
TO come and might commit violence at
any minute.
The mine owners then saw the chance to
take advantage of the presence of troops
here to prepare to reopen. IL Is denied
that miners from other camps are TO be
brought In. and tho statement OF the own
ers is that they believe enough men can
be had In Goldheld TO reopen during the
present week but at the same time the
statement Is made openly and positively
that mon from the outside Will be brought
I'm If the local men will not accept script
In part payment and go TO work.
II Is said that the mine owners decline
To guarantee the scrip I'm the particular
manner demanded by the union and that
their intention is to precipitatc a strug-
gle and settle once for all the question of
union domination of Goldheld. Their state
ment Is that they are tired Of the constant
struggle between themselves and the
union and that they mean 10 maintain an
open camp I'm the future and be free to
employ whomsoever they will without
question by the union
All of the mines are picketed by union
men. and according 10 the owners II Is
impossible for the owners or manager Of
n property To visit his property To learn
what condition II Is In. much less TO put
men into the mine TO work the pumps.
Martial law has not been proclaimed
and the officers and troops have done lit
tie more than make themselves as com
Portable as possible.