The Labor enquirer., 1884-11-22
THr CorCrL1ATioN BOARD.

~. Contributions always welcome.
THE CANCELLATION BOARD.
The manner of settling wages troubles
and other grievances which has been
adopted by portion of the owners OF
coal mines and their employees in Colo
RADIO is eminently correct and, SHOULD re-
suit in the entire satisfaction OF all those
who are directly concerned.
To some arrogant, big-headed, over
bearing managers the idea of admitting
the employees to voice in the settlement
of the questions of wages, weights and
ssdisclplinen is odious, but 1t is simple
Justice, and all will have to come to it
or submit in time to the will OF a
mightier power.
1t is a fact worthy of note that the
managers who refuse to recognize the
principle embodied in the Board OF Con-
ciliation are men who have no further
than salary interest in the mines under
their charge that is, they are hirellngs
the same as the miners, but being clothed
with authority, and thinking to elevate
themselves with "our company by
grinding their subordinates, they hold
themselves aloof from the common
workingmen," and the mines are shut
down. They had best remember Hooking
Valley, where similar policy has been
pursued by those in control, and where
it has cost the stockholders and the
business interests of the community up
wards of 100000 in less than. six
months. Or rather, it would be well for
the stockholders of the Colorado prop
erty which is not represented in the
board to remember this lesson.
Of the three companies which are yet
outside the conciliation arrangement, the
Union Pacific seems the lsast disturbed.
Several of its mines are working yet :
enough to easily supply tile railroad with
fueI-and it is more than likely that Mr..
D. o. Clark, the mining manager of the
company, fancies himself secure. Well,
he certainly is mistaken, and he will
awaken some cool morning. and discover
his mistake.
The Santa Fe and Coal and Iron com,
panies are doing more OF less squirming
and no little scheming they seem to be
pulling together in this affair. At first
they positively refused to have anything
to do with amutusl conference or board,
or any plan that would allow the miners
anything to say in settlement of the
trouble. They have since come down
from their elevated position, and their
subsequent conduct is the natural out
growth of a lordly dignity founded on
ignorant arrogance and petty tyranny.
Here's a lesson in "raanly indepen-
dence," for you
The managers Of the two companies
told the men at tie mines of Walsen-
burg, Engleville and slarkville-their
principle properties-that if work was
resumed at once The companies would
allow the grievances to. 60 before the
Board of Cancellation. The miners ap-
pointed temporary local board at the
mines and, after conference with the
managers, it was agreed that the men
should 90 to work, on Thursday week
ago, and on the following day the mana
gers were to meet witil the board, in
Denver. The miners kept their part Of
the agreement and resllmed work, but
the managers showed their hands at
this stage. They refused TO 90 into dis
cussion of the grievances of their en-
ployes at once, but would look into the
matter in the course of two or three
weeks.
The regular board in this city then
took the matter up and called the men
out again, which call was responded to,
and the miners Of the, two companies
are again out awaiting a settlement of
their affairs by the Board of Cancellation,
which at this writing is in session at
Pueblo inquiring into these cases.
The public is deeply interested in this
matter, and to it I appeal on behalf of
the coal miners. Will any unbiased
man say the plan already adopted by a
large number of the operators is not
fair? Can anything be fairer between
man and man than to submit differences
for adjustment to "a mutual board COM
posed equally of employers and men
The sympathy of the public. rightfully
belongs with the miners in, this trouble,
and there should be no hesitancy in
showing it if it comes To close struggle.
There is no reason under the sun why
every mine in the state should not be at
work, and the grievances of each be
quietly settled In turn and such would
be the case If 1t was not for two or
three bull.headel managers who have
set themselves u? in opposition to &C
knowledged rule, of justice, In defiance
OF the public viii anil in an attitude
detrimental to ihe prosperity of the
community. /
L. @S-
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