The silver state news. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1907-1909, 1907-12-26
Mine OWNERS SIDE
OF CONTROVERSY

aThe Goldfeld Mine Operators as
ISOLATION begs leave to submit to you
the following statement of facts con-
corning the present industrial condi-
tions in the camp of Goldfeld:
"This association has been in exist
ence for less than 80 days. 1t is the
successor to the association known as
the Goldfeld Business Men g and Mine
Owners association, first organized on
the 18th day of March, 1907. The cir
cumstances necessitating the organ
ization of the Goldfeld Business Mems
and Mine Owners association are
briefly as follows:
"Prior to March 18th, 1907, there
J had been unsettled labor conditions
in the Goldfield district, accompanied
by a number of strikes for various
causes. The district at that time was
ruled absolutely by an organization
known as Goldfeld Miners Union Nc
220 of the Western Federation of
Miners. No other labor organization
of any consequence was in existence in
the Goldfeld district, with the excep-
ton of the Carpenters union, and pos
sibly one or two trades unions of a
smaller character. The Western Fed
Grafton of Miners at that time was
known as the mining department of the
Industrial Workers of the World. The
people of Goldfeld knew or cared lit.
tie about the Industrial Workers of
the World generally, but were very
much concerned with the methods of
the local union of the Goldfeld district.
There had been at one time a separate
union called the Industrial Workers of
the World, and also the Goldfeld Min
ers' Union No. 220, but these had
amalgamated some time in the fall of
1906 and were all members of the
one union.
"The tyranny of this union in deal
ing with the business men and mine
owners of Goldfeld prior to March Is.
1907, had become un~bearable. A rup-
ture had occurred between the Indus
trial Workers of the World and the
Carpenters union, which resulted on
the Sth of Marc in closing down all
the mines in the Goldfeld district.
con 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 res
taurant had been declared unfair, was
called to his door about dark one even
ing by W. r. Preston, the walking del
egate of the union, and shot down in
cold blood. Preston Immediately went
to the union hall, where he was sur
rounded by his friends and kept in con-
cealment for a day. or 80. This act so
wrought upon the nerves and feelings
Af tho naon1o nf Gc11Gon11 +Lok 5000
ing 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 Goldfield Business Mems and Mine
Owners association was organized.
Spent Thousands for Safety.
"This association at that time
(March and April) spent between
$4,000 and $4,000 in patrolling the
streets of Goldfeld. They were com
PEELED to keep practically an armed
body of guards for the purpose of pro-
tecting the mines and mine buildings
of the town of Goldfeld and the homes
Of individuals who had incurred the
enmity of the union.
"This organization continued until
the settlement of the strike in April.
Since that time there was a strike in
August and September of this year
and another strike in November, which
was the cause of the present trouble
Many of the mine owners believed that
it was not wise to have an organiza-
tion composed Of both business men
of Goldield and mine operators, so the
operators separated from the Bus
mess Mems association some time in
May or June of this year; and finally
the recent organization was for med in
the month of November, consisting
solely of mine operators.
Anxious for Investigation
I'VE do not believe that any add
statement from the standpoint
Of this association need be made. We