The Labor enquirer., 1884-12-20
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comPtshend! Undst ~ eireun, stsncse.
sqre enough. Aiisczesion NJ ths hsttsr
part Of vsioz; but Il ths miness of
Crested Butte win allow this matter to
50 past without entering protest, and
pstting themselves "a record = aonsuar-
ticipanta in this dissraceful trsatsnent, I
shall be compelled % form q rsthsr nm.
supplementary opinion 81 shan. /
rather am not willing 70 believe that
there are miners in Crested Butte Of so
mean and soulless disposition! hope
they will take immediate steps to put
themselves upon record properly. Shall
be glad to receive communications from
that quarter. am given to understand
that the grip Of monopoly lin this case
the Colorado Coal and Iron COMPANY
has become 80 firm that some people In
that country hardly know whether they
own their souls or not
From a communication received, / am
informed that there are persons now
confined in prison at this place because
they had intended to institute a suit for
damages against the Colorado Coal and
Iron company for the loss Of life in that
late lamented explosion; that this heart
less corporation, ,sor some of their friends
in the shape of agents, are prosecutors
against poor woman who lost her dear
husband in the explosion that was caused
by the management-mis acknowledgement
.rather-of the company, and that she is
now confined in prison. God only
knows what treatment she is receiving,
for the people that would look on and
tolerate such an. outrage upon the liber-
ties of two peaceful and highly respecta-
bic citizens, cannot be depended upon to
take up the cause of a broken-hearted
widow Those that are citizens of that
locality. and have any manhood or even
womanhood, should see into this matter
speedily, and exercise the courage of in
terfering in the name of justice and hui
manity.
The company herein referred to--Col-
orado Coal and Irons the company
that have been and still insist upon a
reduction of wages at their mines in
Coal Creek.
promised last week to pay attention
te Mr.. Danforth's speech and reply
thereto. ButI think that 1 need not do
anything beyond making a few quota
tions to show his views upon the rights
ofworkingmen. As an argument for
asking reduction of wages. Mr.. Dam
forth says; The company found ont
that it was losing money at Coal Creek,
and for that further reason reduction
was necessary"
This closing money" argument is as
ridiculous as it is old. But in case the
margins of profit, it would be of interest
to the company to find ont" why? That
something is wrong there can be but
little doubt, but where does the mischief
lay2 Unquestionably it lies with those
autocratic officials sapping the cream of
toll, by two of them alone drawing sala
ries equal to the net earnings of from
twelve to fifteen coal diggersl 1t is an
easy matter for such men to preach re
sduction in wages to the poor miners, as
long as their pockets do not feel the
pinch of such measure. 1t is this unT
equal distribution of the profits of trade
that begets nlne-tenths of our labor
troubles. When those gentlemen insis.
upon reduction in wages from the old
rates at Coal Creek, they insist upon OBJ
tainlng blood money! There is no use
in -dallying with the fact; this is it
without disguise.
Upon the proposition Of arbitration
Mr.. Danfoath says this: "The company
does not desire that any man should
work for 1t unless such man is satisfied
with the wages which the company pays,
and with the terms of employment; and
as to what we can afford to pay for wages,
/ do not think anyone is able to judge
of that as well as we ourselves, We know
what our trade is what prices we get for
our product, and what competition we
have to meet, and cannot see why we
should. submit our valuable and i'm
portant business interests to the decision
of men who make business and liy-
ing out of their ability to meddle in
other peoples affairs. / am willing to
meet a committee of our men to discuss
fairly all questions, but when it comes
to asking any outsider to step in and
decide, IAN arbitrator or an umpire 1t
seems to me as unreasonable as to ask
an outsider to stepin and settle dispute
between a husband and wife,.
Those are Mr.. Danforth's sentiments
"a thew appear before nae in black and
white. And they are grand Only men
that will bow their heads and say amen
to all his propositions and mode of rum
ming business-o such does he de
sire" /" seemingly, to havein his employ.
His ruling is desl otic, and he regards no
rule or law but his personal arbitrary
will. He ayails himself of the law of
necessity, and through force of circum-
70 .a,,hiact his amnlnYea to