Douglas Island news., 1908-01-15
The Miners Union.

The organization of branch of the Western Federation of Minors on Douglas leland has brought about con- ditions that never existed before, and has been an injury to the Island, it's business interests, and to the very miners themselves.
 No we'll informed man of today is opposed to the principle of unionism, and the right of men engaged in any kind Of work to form unions for their own benefit is not questioned. The question that interests us now is the Douglas Island organization, as it is, a branch of the Western Federation.
 Douglas has always been, until the coming of this organization, one of the most paacea ble camps on earth. Year after year has come and gone and no great calamity has befallen us. There was happiness in the homes, and pros perity in the stores and shops. Together have we braved the storms of the win ter and fought fires that threatened our homes with destruction. We were like one great big family, and when sorrow came to one it came to all; when the open grave told of aching hearts, a sympathetic community was bowed in grief Is it not. true that in years that are past our neighbors and fellow workman on Douglas Island have been a very present help in time of trouble? And our children have played together while we have watched with quiet joy their childish sports. 4 public gathering of any kind was not marred in the years gone by, by class distinction or questions of poverty or wealth.
 Then came the organization of the branch of the Western Federation. This organization was formed by and iS now controlled largely by an alien people whose homes and family ties are across many seas in different quarter of the globe. At its first in eeptiou it's leaders and officers were men whose entire interest on the leland was wrapped up in roll of blankets or small satchel. They become lead CTS because of their sharpness, as con- pared with the many foreigners who were generally ignorant of even the English language. These leaders cared not a rap for the future of our Island. They only wanted the excitement and the opportunity offered to wield tenn porary power and fill their pockets with the dollars sxtortSd from their conflding followers. They got the dol lars, packed their satchel, and are gone, we know not where, and it Is little they caze what desperate troubles may re- suit from their acts. They have gone and we have no desire to hurl foul names after them, but they have left scar which only time and the good sapse of the people will heal. Other leaders have taken their places, men who have less ability but still enough to cling to the fat jobs and the salaries.
 It is not the purpose of this article to enter into discussion'of the char acter of the men who have taken the fat jobs in this union, because the only way in which they are of interest is as officers and leaders. What we do say, however, is that they have taken up the job of sowing strife and contention, and the harvest of sorrow and suffer ing will ss surely follow.
 One of them published an article in Che official paper of the Federation some time ago, and we understand some 200 copies were brought to Doug las for the delectation of the people of She Island. We only wish to ask those who read it if they found any lies mix sd up in it,
 Is there any good to be accomplished