Threatened Violence at Garrett Mines
A SERIOUS outbreak of lawlessness is threatened in the mining town of Garrett, in Somerset County, Pa. A reduction in wages at the mines was followed by a strike; non-union men filled the strikers' places. The strikers assuming a threatening attitude, the mine owners set up a search-light on their property, mounted a Gatling gun, and gave out that they were ready to give the strikers all the trouble they wanted. The strikers surrounded the mines with pickets, and a serious conflict was averted only by the presence of armed deputy sheriffs, who acted as peacemakers. The president of the Garrett local union of the United Mine Workers said he had received instructions from President Mitchell that the union miners should arm themselves, and be ready for defensive action when it shall be necessary. If it is true that the United Mine Workers of America contemplate the use of arms to secure their ends, the peace and prosperity of the country are in a state of very unstable equilibrium.