White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
FIVE HUNDRED ARMED STRIKERS
MENACE BINGHAM
AROUND UTAH COPPER WORKS BECOMES
SERIOUS FOLLOWING WALK OUT EMPLOYEES DEMAND
INCREASED PAY AN d UNION RECOGNITION

News late last night from the scene
of the strike at Bingham. Utah,
were to the effect that strike break
ers we're arriving at the works of
the Utah Copper company, and that
the company intends to put them to
work as soon as protection for them
Is assured. Five hundred armed
Greeks hold sway on the high line
above Utah Copper Mountain, and
while no act OF violence is reported,
the situat on is regarded as tense.
Rumors are afioat that some of the
men will make an attempt to resume
work tomorrow but the superintend-
ent will make no statement denying
or confirming the rumor.
The strike at Bingham was called
Wednesday, when 5000 employees of
the Utah Copper company went out
following a demand for an increase
of fifty cents a day. and recognition
by the company of the union. Presi-
dent Charles H. Meyer of the West
ern Federation of Miners, at once
went to Bingham. from Denver, and
took charge of the strike, and under
took to bring about settlement of
the trouble, but without success.
When the men went out President
Jackling of the Utah Copper Com
pany, was in Los Angeles, but has
since returned to Bingham. The
situation soon assumed serious
aspects. as nearly one thousand
strikers heavily armed, took posses
sion of a commanding position on
the mountain across the canyon from
the company's property, and com
menced firing on railroad employees
and officers who undertook to go
upon the company's grounds.
The outbreak of the strikers was
quickly followed by action on the
part of Sheriff Sharp 10 preserve or
der and protect the company proper
ty. and numerous deputies were
sworn in and hurried to the scene.
Following conference of state
aHH m
and strike leaders at the governors
Office Thursday morning, Governor
Spry declared that the state militia
would not be called out until every
other means of preserving order had
been exhausted. Attending the con-
ference were Governor Spry, Seere-
tary of State Charles Tingey, Ward
en- Arthur Pratt of the state prison,
r. c. Gemmell, assistant general
manager of the Utah Copper com
pany: Major w. G. Williams of the
national guard. Charles II. Meyer,
president of the Western Federation
of Miners. and Yaco Terzich, secre-
tary of the federation executive
board. At the conclusion OF the
meeting most of the party went TO
Bingham, arriving there at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon.
In his address to the strikers Gov
ernor spry told them that he intend
ed to enforce order in the camp ana
would call out the state militia II the
men attempted to fortify themselves
in the mountain again. He urged
them to peaceful methods.
The governor told the men that
Sheriff Sharp said the county eonla
handle the situation, out the ehlei
executive added that If II were Inn
possible for the deputies to preserve
order the state would have to take
charge. lie said: you know what
that means-it means war.
The governors words were reeeiV-
ed attentively and he was applaud
ed. In part he said
81 want 1t distinctly understooo
that ! am here simply in the interest
of law and peace. | am not mere 10
assist the companies nor to assist the
strikers. Under the law you boys
have perfect right to go out on
strike. That is your business ana
not the business of the state or the
county. The mine companies, on the
other hand. have a perfect legal rlght
to operate their mines. Now you
boys go on strike If you desire, out
do not interfere with any workman
who desires to enter the employ OIL
the Utah Copper company or any
other company and exercises MS