The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-13
And Sends a Report of Findings
to Washington.
NO TROUBLEIN SIGHT.
The Expected Disturbance Did
Not MaterialiZe.
And All Fear of Clash Seems tC
Have Passed.


day of the attempt to reopen the mines
of Goldfeld without the aid of the
Western Federation of Miners has
passed and there has been not a single
instance of attempted violence or dis
order in the camp.
| Unarmed pickets of the Goldfield
miners union approached as close to
the scene of the operations as the arm
ed guards of the Mine Owners aSSOcia-
tion would permit, and succeeded in in
ducing some of those who had signed
the agreement to return to work to viO-
late that agreement and leave the
mines. General Frederick Funston ar
rived and his coming seems to have
helped the situation greatly and to have
strengthened the constantly growing
impression that the fearful incidents
of strikes in other mining camps are
not to be repeated here.
After a conference with President
Charles H. McKinnon of the Goldfeld
miners union, General Funston sent
report to WASHINGTON regarding the
situation here. The conference with
President McKinnon was the last of
series of conferences which General
Funston has been holding since his ar
rival here.
Governor Sparks. Colonel Reynolds,
in command of the troops, Acting Pres
ident Dowlen and Secretary Erb of the
Goldfield Mine Owners association were
called into these conferences, and Cen
eral Funston wasted no time in ac-
ouainting himself with an outline, at
least, of the conditions that prevail
here.
While General Funston refused to
say to a representative of the Associa-
ted Press what IS contained in his re-
port to Washington. he said it contain
ed nothing in regard to the probable
length of the stay Gf the troops in Gold
field, but would be confined to the need
e. @I,n
1.-THE regulars will be here at least
until after the arrival Of the labor COM
missioners from Washington" said
General Funston. t'ThiS means that
1 have no doubt that they will remain
much longer than that, or at least
portion of the number now here will.
I am hearing all sides of the question
as to the necessity for the troops In
Goldfield at this time, to preserve peace
and order, and it is too soon after my
arrival for me to have obtained an
opinion. My report tonight Will s1mp-
ly set forth my view of the situation
as 1 have obtained it from the people
whom 1 have seen today. 1t must be
understood that I am not here to go
into the merits of the dispute between
the mine owners and miners, that Is
what the commissioners are coming
from Washington for. They doubtless
will go deeply into the merits of the
grievances of both sides, but 1 am
simply. going to determine whether the
continued presence of the troops or at
least a part of them, in Goldf1eld will
prevent disorder, riot and bloodshed-
am convinced that the presence of the
troops thus far has been necessary
precaution.
Martial law should be a last resort
and I will not advocate it until there
has been great violence committed and
the local authorities have proven them
selves unable to stop any outrages, such
as the destruction of life or valuable
property. Either the president or the
governor of the state must declare mar
tiaI law and in the event that it be
the governor I shall consider that the
regulars are at his service, just as
would be the state militia, provided
Nevada had such an institution.
''In fact, it is my idea that the regu-
lars are here to take the place of the
state militia during the present crisis.
Colonel Reynolds remains in COM
mand of the troops now encamped here
and am here to make report on the
situation and to direct things in the
event of serious troubles.
mo man can say what amount or
trouble is to grow out of this situation,
of course, but am trying to get at the
possibilities of the trouble, and for that
reason I sought an interview with Pres !
dent McKinnon and other leaders in (,
the local miners union in order to |
hear their side of it, and to Judge for /
nyself of their frame of mind and dis |
position to bring about any disturb
ancsS"