Douglas Island news., 1908-11-18
Peace, Sweet Peace

letters from Charles II. Mover, presi- dent of the Western Federation of Miners. one to Robert A. Kinzie, super intendent of the Treadwell Gold Min ing Co.,, aud the other to r. w. Bradley, general manager, Treadwell Gold Min ing Co. The letters are given publicity at this time to show that the mission of Mir. Mover to Alaska was one of peace, and the temperate language of the let ters seems to bear out this theory The Transcript adds that 1t is likewise worthy of note that 70 these letters neither Mir. Kinzie nor Mir. Bradley made any reply.
 The News is glad to learn that the mission of Mir. Mover in coming to Douglas was one of peace, even though the announcement is made at this late date. However, without having received such information the people of the North treated Mr. Mover with the same courtesy and consideration that IS eX- tended to every conner, with slight eX- captions.
 The fact that neither Mir. KinZie nor MT. Bradley saw fit to make any answer to the letter is in itself of very little importance. Mr. Mover wrote these letters, as his signature in each case plainly shows, not as an individual or citizen, but as the president and official representative of the Western Fedora tion of Miners. The fact that neither Superintendent KinZie nor General Manager Bradley cared to have any correspondence with the official head of the Western Federation of Miners IS perhaps significant, but it indicates mainly that these gentlemen were simply following out the course indi- cated for them by the directors of the company they represent.
 As the representative of the Western Federation of Miners, Mir. Mover had no just claim for recognition at Tread we'll None of the members of his or ganization are employed there. There Was time when anumber of men work ing at Treadwell were enrolled under Mr. Movers banner, but they became dissatisfied, drew their time and quit. Other men, not of this organization, picked up the deserted implements gladly and the work went on as before. Then comes Mir. Mover with the white flag of truce, a peace declaration. The question naturally presents itself at this point, what did MT. Mover hope to accomplish? In his letter to Mr. Brad ley he speaks about "deplorable con- ditions which now prevail" There were no "deplorable conditions" existing at TreadwelI The men were working hap oily and tremendously; they were bringing their little families to be with them, and the hillsides were beginning to glow with the warmth of hundreds of happy fresides. What did Mir. Mover seek? Was it his desire to benefit these homes and these workingmenH Orwas it his desire that they be displaced to make room for others of his own naming?
 There were "deplorable conditions" existing in Douglas at the time MT. Mover wrote his letters, and, to a cer- tain extent they still exist, and have ever since Mir. Mover and his paid rep resentatives began to have anything to do with the labor question on Douglas Island. There are houses in Douglas that were once happy homes, provided with all the comforts that money could buy; where the wife boasted of silk pet ticoats and the children were always we'll dressed. You pass these houses today and the blank, staring windows ornamented with strike notices tell a pitiful tale of "depIorable conditions"
 It may be argued that Mir. Mover and the Western Federation of Miners are not responsible for this "deplorable condition" Perhaps not. It may be that in carrying out the great plan that