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nydus/The Pinkerton Labor SpyPublic

This work examines the operational methods of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and its involvement in labor disputes, specifically the Cripple Creek strike and the legal case against Moyer, Haywood, and Pettibone. The author details the activities of various undercover operatives and argues that the agency functions as an essential tool for the capitalist class in its conflict with organized labor.

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Operative J. N. L. Reports:

valuable linotype presses, and drove the office force from the district, with a warning never to return, if they valued their lives. .

The entire city council of Goldfield was compelled to resign, and then put in the bull pen.

Tlie next step taken by the military was the closing down of the Portland Mine. This was accomplished by General Bell under the following proclamation:

"Whereas the Portland Mine, situated in Teller County, is, and for a long time has been, engaged in emplojring and harboring large numbers of dangerous, lawless men who have encouraged and given comfort and assistance to those who have been so guilty of said crimes and outrages, so that said mine has become and now is a menace to the welfare and safety of the good people of said County, and a hindrance to the restoration of peace and good order.

"Now, therefore, by virtue of the power conferred upon

io8 The Pinkerton Labor Spy.

me as commander of the military forces in said County, and as a military necessity, it is ordered that said mine be at once closed, and all persons found therein or thereabouts, who are dangerous to the community, be arrested and held until further orders."

The Portland miners were arrested and placed in the bull pen along with the hundreds of their comrades who had preceded them. Not only were union men arrested, but even those suspected of sympathizing with the union. Among those arrested was Frank J. Hangs, attorney of the Western Federation of Miners.

General Bell next appointed what was known as a "Military Commission on Deportation," consisting of mine owners, mine managers and tools of

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