To begin with, the operative was instructed to create trouble between the leaders of the union. This he accomplished, and soon the union was divided into a number of hostile camps, the operative being strictly neutral, which so
The Pinkerton Labor Spy. 53
strengthened his position with the men that he was in a short time elected recording secretary.
As secretary, the operative knew in advance everything the union intended to do, and as quickly as he learned something he communicated it to the Agency, and the latter to Mr. Guiterman. The operative was next instructed to agitate the question of strike benefits among the men, so that they would demand financial aid from the Western Federation of Miners, and he was also told to intrigue against some of the leaders, so that the union would expel them. The chiefs being out of the way, Mr. McParland hoped that the rank and file would call the strike off.
The following report of No. 42 will show how he endeavored to carry out these instructions:
Dear Sir:—
OPERATIVE NO. 42 REPORTS:
Denver, Colo., Tuesday, September 29th, 1903.
I reported at the office and received instructions to speak to the members of the smeltermen's union in a careful way, and try to make them believe they are entitled to some money or some benefits from the W. F. of M., to cause them to become dissatisfied, also to do what I can to get D. B. Smith out of the union.
I went to Globeville and visited nearly all of the saloons there. I found very little doing. I met Alden at Vogt's Saloon. Alden told me he met a