Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-11
TO START
THE MINES
GOLDFIELD IS SAID TO
READY FOR WORK.
U. 8. TROOPS ARE THERE AND
MINE OWNERS CLAIM THEY
CAN GET MINERS.

1. the day for reopening the mines In
Goldfeld. An authoritative statement
is made that sufficient men are on the
srounds to work the mines.
The total number of those that have
beeL quietly brought in and those who
have secretly made application to re-
turn to their former positions is placed
IL 1000. There are about 1900 Western
Federation men out. The men who are
to take the places Of the strikers are
not to be housed at the mines, but will
be scattered through the camp and
protection for each individual will be
guaranteed by the mine owners associ
alton.
Two propositions have been positive
ly decided upon, the making an open
camp for all time and the early lower
ing of the wage scale. At the same
time the mine owners association is
going to begin vigorous crusade 20
lower the cost Of living in Goldfield.
The mine owners association is 10
be greatly enlarged by the organization
of the Nevada Mine Owners associa-
ton, of which the Goldfield Mine Own
ers' association will be a part. rne
new organization Is already we'll under
way
The announcement Of the determine.
ton to open the mines on Wednesday
is to be made by the Goldfield Mine
Owners association, and 1t is expected
that some trouble may ensue.
There are now nine companies Of
troops here, the second detachment
from Monterey having gone into per-
manent camp on Combination hill.
within 300 yards of the mill Of the
Goldfeld Consolidated company. The
first detachment which came from San
Francisco remains in the camp estab.
lished In the northwestern part of the
city, mile and half from the nearest
mine.
Colonel Reynolds. commanding all OF
the troops here, is quartered in tent
of the first camp and will remain
there. He refuses to say whether he
will detail soldiers to patrol the mines
when the attempt Is made to reopen.
but merely states that the troops are
here to preserve order and that they
are prepared to handle the situation.
Sheriff inoalis 10 Far Away.
Sheriff ingalls, of Esmeralda county
in which Goldfield is located, has gone
away to some distant mines and the
sheriff's office is in the hands Of Tn.
Ger Sheriff Bert Knight. who asserts
that he is amply able to handle any
crisis that may arise from the attempt
to reopen the mines.
He has sworn in q dozen deputies.
He characterizes the statements made
by the mine owners that the union men
are arming themselves and preparing
to make trouble as false. and says
that, in his belief, there will be no
effort made to prevent the mine own.
ers from working the mines with what
ever men they may employ.
A telegram which the sheriff sent 10
Governor Sparks protesting against
the presence Of federal troops in Gold
field remains unanswered. There will
be no cooperation between the local
peace officers and the troops in the
event of any trouble.
Statements are being issued to the
public by both the mine owners a,so-
citation and the oficials of the local
miners union setting forth the views
of both sides on the situation.
From what can be gathered it seems
probable that the mine owners associ-
alton was primarily responsible for the
presence Of the federal troops here. but
that 1t was not intended in the first
place that troops should be sent at This
time. Il was intended to have them in
readiness to respond to an urgent call.
but when the fact became public hat
the sending Of troops was contem-
plated the governor was told 1t would
be better to have the troops on the
ground, as the miners were incensed
over the fact of troops 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 pres
ence Of the troops here to begin prep.
arations to reopen. Denial IL made
that miners from other camps are to
be brought in. and the statement of the
owners is that they believe enough
men can be had in Goldfield to reopen
during the present week, but at the
same time the statement is made OPEN
ly and positively that men from the
outside will be brought In II the local
men will not accept scrip in part pay.
ment.
The statement IL freely made here
that the mine owners have refused to
guarantee the scrip in the manner de-
manded by the union with the inten-
ton Of precipitating a struggle and
settling. once for all, the question Of
union domination Of Goldheld. The
mine owners statement is that they
are worn out with the constant
struggle between themselves and the
union, END that they mean to maintain
an open camp in the future and be free
to employ whomsoever they will with
out question by the union
All Of the mines are picketed at pres
ent by union men, and according to he
Of a tament of the owners IL ia imnOssi.