The Labor enquirer., 1885-05-16
The Weekly Report Of the 1eoretary
b CoAL MINERS HEADoBARTl!Rs: OF
CoLoRADo, NEW MEXICO VYo--
MING AND UTAH.9 )

MING AND UTAH.9
The struggle of our brethren on the
Denver & Rio Grande system has been
the absorbing topic during the past week
ard the fight is still pursued with an un
ifincbing determination.
Although had no hand IN originating
this strike, nor haveI had yet in con-
drcting the same. still, I feel satisfied
that their cause is our cause, and h>nce
| am anxious to see our brethren com
ing off VIGOROUSLY, and there is no CUES
ton in my mind as, to their ultimate
success. "a 3s%sI s'a..ih ~ Il
Besides fighting the combiaed co-por'
atoms, the Denver& Rio lGcande and
tt Colorado Coal & Iron companies, We
have also to fight that contemplate,
dirty sheet the Rocky Mountain News,
which is, and always has been ready
to serve the bidding of .corpo rate power
against the rights and liberties of hon
est worklngmen.
From the outset of this trolble IL has
manufactured the most blasphelnous
zfalsehoods against myself and others and
would have the world believe that we
virtually carry the men in our POCKETS !;
such absurd bosh. .--.
The brethren are in every sense cap
able of managing their own affairs dex-
teriously, and there has beer no neces-
sity for interference. 1 have enough to
d. to attend to my own direc; business,
bat should necessity arise for our in
Auence and support, in that case we
should certainly come upon deck.
The last of the colored people that
were imported by the G. G. & 1. COM
p!ny from Tennessee to work in the
n ines of Walsenburg have lett, and some
O. them have come into this city. They
wilIssue the company for their pag and
for damages, which is the only means
now left them to secure justice. The
treatment they received was barbarous,
and their tale is almost incredible.
Were it not for the fact that am con-
vinced that there is nothing too mean
for this com pany to do, 1 should discard
the statements made to mesby these poor
Eeople as false; but, knowing as do of
the mean tr1ckery of the company, my
mind is satisfied.
Miners everywhere are cautioned
against leaving their present employ
Inent thinking that they car, easily pick
up job elsewhere. l would warn all
TO steer clear of Kansas, Missouri
and Iowa. Up to the time of writing
the principal mining camps IN Kansas
have not averaged two days week and
the earnings during those two days are
small. In certain parts of Missouri-for
Instance in Beyier, Macon county-the
men ara on strike and the officials of the
organization have requested me to warn
NIL contemplating move~in that direc-
ion of the fact. Iowa Is cvercrowded
with men and trouble is anticipated.
Everywhere coal mining is dull and
hardly can we expect any great improve
nent for sometime to come.
Market prices in this state are still un-
changed, and on the strength of this fact
We have cause to commend the opera
tors for their wise policy. would cau-
ton theminers of the north against iso-
lated action. The principle of concilia-
ton can only operate collectively.
Agree to no overtnres havirg tendency
to create division of our force. Con-
centrated action is indispensable. Yours
truly, JONI L. LEWIS.