The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-06-14
Official Count Shows 46l Against Walkout, Three
 to Continue Shutdown
49 VOTES THROWN OUT FOR IRREGU ULARITIES
Reaction Finds Sentiment Divided -52 in Favor
 Too Late to Count

Canvass of the votes cass isi yes- terday's special mine workers cleo tion, revealed that the majority Of the men employed by the A. J. at the time of the walkout B days ago, want to go back to work.
 The official count showed 461 votes for returning to work, three to continue the walkout and 49 ballots were cast out for irregulari- ties. Those thrown out were for failure of signature or proper sig nature and a few instances of ap- parent duplication, it was reported by the election committee, of which James J. Connors is chairman. It was apparent some of the union block did not vote.S
 52 Others In Favor
 Most of the miners took advan- tage of the privilege of voting by mail, but a small number casting their votes in person. Flfty-two bal lets were received today which were in favor of returning to work, but these were not included in the of- ficial count. It revealed that 513 men want to return to their jobs.
 As various reactions were heard today relative to the vote, the ma jolity being of the opinion it would be helpful in bringing about set clement, Conciliator Dewey Knight continued his investigation of the dispute and reserved comment, ex- plaining that he hoped to bring about settlement of the difficulty if possible.
 Some Have Left City
 The general sentiment in various quarters appeared to be today that the special election had at least accomplished it's purpose of en- deavoring to learn the true attitude of the men the m selves. It was pointed out that though there we>e some 900 men on the A. J. Paye roll at the time of the walkout quite few miners had left town for employment elsewhere. Some have gone to Kenhecott to work at the newly opened copper mine there and others have gone prospecting for the summer. Officials were of the belief that not more than 800 men were actually available to vote, indicating that the majority in favor of returning to work was con- siderably larger than at first be- lieved.
 Interpretations
 Diff fere mt interpretations were placed on the result of the vote by the opposing labor factions, the AL aska Mine Workers Union, and the Workers Benefit Committee, which had requested the city ad- ministration to sponsor the ballot.
 This morning, Al Nyrgen, presi- dent of the Union, signed the fol- lowing statement on behalf of the Union trustees:
 The Union stands the same now as it did the first day of the strike"
 The city election decides noth- ing. inasmuch as the method of voting is not considered legal. The voting of large numbers of com pany officials and clerical help makes any result ambiguous"
 A spokesman of the Workers Benefit Committee issued this statement:
 Says It's True Sentiment
 Yesterdays voting showed very conclusively the true sentiment of the Alaska Juneau mine workers.
 The Union attempted to pre- vent the expression of majority opinion by making each member turn in the ballot he received through the mail. Additional ballot were made available to the men who were forced to turn in their ballots.
 We have shown that the Union made misstatement concerning the majority's desire. It is now up to the Union to correct its mistake