The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1918-06-29

the miners employed Dy the UOlunelu
Consolidated Mines company this
morning refused to go to work and
by the presence of some of the dis
affected element at the shafts, caus-
ed a general strike among the men,
by virtually intimidating those who
would have entered the mines. Num-
bers of the men appeared at the
shafts when the shifts changed this
morning. but none had the temerity
to face the disapproval of those who
apparently we're determined to bring
about a cessation of work and a gen.
eral walkout was the result.
A committee representing the
workmen met with General Manager
f.. A. Julian yesterday, for the sec
ond time. to discuss the question of
an advance in the wage scale. Mr..
Julian had prepared a statement in
which the situation was analysed
carefully from the company's stand
point and this statement. which ap-
pears here. vas given the commit
tee. with the understanding that it
was to be submitted to the men and
their decision communicated later
to the company by the committee.
The miners are said to have held
various meetings last evening, but
no word was communicated to the
company management and the first
intimation of their decision was
their refusal to enter the mines this
morning.
In earlier discussions of the wage
question the Consolidated man
agement had been given the most
complete assurance by the miners
tI,at there would be no strike. 1t
mittee that in the event the COM
pany could not see it's way clear to
grant an increase in wages, those
men who could not afford to con-
tinue at work under present condi-
tons would leave the camp, but
there was no disposition on the
part of the miners or their repre-
sentatives to cause a walkout or to
close down the mines.
Manager Julian's statement to
the miners was intended to be a
frank explanation of the position
OF the company and shows hat the
company has no alternative from
the policy set forth therein. 1t was
designed in part, also, to draw a
distinction between the attitude of
q company that can and will not
pay a higher wage, and that of a
company that cannot pay an in
crease under existing conditions.
but would gladly make such an
advance if it's operating conditions
justified such action.
Characterizing the action of the
miners as decidedly unfair, Manager
Julian points out that under their
prior agreement the miners had no
right to bargain collectively, vir-
tually forcing into their ranks the
men who would prefer to remain
at work and through their action
creating the impression that the
company had been unfair and at
fault in it's dealings with employees.
I'VE shall continue to try to
operate the Mines" said Mr.. Julian
today. Il know, and | think the
men know, that the company is not
guilty of any injustice to it's en-
ployes and the employees certainly
may feel that they are lot violating
any contract by coming back to the
company. We shall keep the mines
open and shall endeavor for a rea-
snnable period of time to obtain
crews from among the men who
have gone out. Failing in this, we
shall be compelled to close down.
I'VE are willing to put the on
tract and bonus system into effect.
This would not require harder work
than at present by men who
are now doing a fair days
work, but would affect those
who are not delivering a fair
return in work for their pay. We
are willing and anxious to grant any
concessions within reason and be-
lieve the contract system would
work out to the satisfaction of all
concerned. Our cards are all oil the
table, face up"
Manager Julian stated that the
mine workings will not be endan-
gered by water, as necessary crews
will be available to keep the mines
in good working condition. The mill
will continue to treat failing as US
ual and if sufficient men and lessees
continue work, the company's oper-