Gilpin observer., 1907-03-28

months have brought the whole force
OF their combined strength to bear
upon the independents. Among them
were the building trades, the carpen-
ters, masons, ct al, and the printers,
who have an international organization
Of their own--the grandest, most pow
erful and most beneficent Of them all.
AS members of their own national or
ganizations, they could not IL they
would, join any other.
These skilled trades remaining OBJ
durate and Independent, then began
the usual program of the ]. w. W.
force, boycott, intimidation, warning
letters, deportations and-murder. In
the meantime, various trades and oc-
cupations sent petition after petition
to the American Federation of Labor
to send in an organizer, that they
might find shelter under a general Or
ganization whose methods were peace
full, and whose principles were patri-
otic and law-abiding. The represents
tive of the American Federation ar
rived upon the ground, and the newt
able clash and conflict began. A crisis
was at hand, and it was up to the citi-
zens OF the camp-the mine owners
and operators, and the business men
up to them to act.
At largely attended meeting OF the
business men of GoYdfeld, Thursday.
they had little or no difficulty in arriv-
ing at 4 course to be pursued. 1t was
their duty to themselves and to the
community to take active and decisive
steps as against the element that had
disorganized business and brought the
camps to the verge OF anarchy. and in
selfdefense they declared against the
Industrial Workers of the World, and
bound themselves as mine owners and
business men to give no employment
whatever, in any capacity or position,
to any member of the offending organi-
Zation-the Industrial Workers of tho
World. This was drastic action, AS 1t
meant the closing down of all mines
and stores and shops. as much of their
help was affiliated with the I. w. w.
(whether willingly or unwillingly),
and the suspension of practically all
building operations in camp. 1t meant
that the business men of the commun.
ity, long suffering but determined, had
been forced into the fight for reasons
OF self-prcservation, and that they were
in the fight to stay. 1t is better to
lose ones life and property in defense
OF right and justice, than to suffer
their loss through cowardly inaction.
Let it be understood in this conneo-
tion, that the business men and mine
operators have nothing against the
miners or the Western Federation Of
Miners as such. They have had their
differences at various times and they
have settled these differences, as they
always will settle them, amicably and
justly, so long as they can deal with
the miners. But the mine owners will
no longer go to dishwashcrs, walters
and bartelders to arbitrate the Ques.
tions in dispute between themselves
and their employees.
And let 1t also be understood that
the business men of GOldfield are TAX
ing no part in the fight between the
American Federation of Labor and the
Industrial Workers of the World We
certainly have no objections to the
American Federation of Labor coming
into this camp. We are union people,
believe in union principles, and this
will always be a union camp, SO far as
the citizens of Goldfield are concerned,
But there is no pact, agreement or un.
dcrstanding between the representa-.
tives Of the business men and the rep.
rtsentative of the American Federation
of Labor. AS labor organization rep
resenting the best ideals and methods.
we welcome them, and when they be-
come established in this camp, we will
then have our dealings; but the busi-
ness men have made no alliance with
the American Federation OF Labor to
run the Industrial Workers of the
World out of Goldfield. The action
taken by the business men in this
crisis is only in self-defense-in the
protection of their lives and business
interests and property.
1t should be said in this connection,
that all the members of the I. w. w.
are not lawless and desperate people.
by any means. In fact the great ma
jority are members only through com.
pulsion-to avoid annoyance to them.
selves and their employer which an
independent attitude would bring upon
them. In TACT, the policy of the |. w.
w. l, dominated ana put into effect by
not more than a half score Of leaders,
and 1t is these men, more than the or
ganization itself-or its general men,
bership, who are responsible for the
present status of affairs. These lead
ers are dssperadoes. driven from one
state to another, one camp to another.
End whose trail is trouble. discord.
anarchy, murder: and no self.respect.
ing man or woman should longer re-
main in an organization with them.
now that IN avenue of escape Is Of
fered.
1t IN known that even large minor
ity, II not even a majority of the mem.
bers of the local miners union are op-
posed to the present l. w. w. regime.
and that Il any way possible is offered
them to withdraw from that organiza.
tion, they will not hesitate to take the
step. This Is a "colsummation devout-
ly to be wished" The mine owners
want to work their mines. and most Of
the miners are honest, hard-working
men. who want occupation at their
trade. Unless. however, the mine
owners can employ men who are
not connected wigh the /. w. W..
tho t,,incc viii cin., indafinitaIx,