The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-09
MINES TIED UP.
Strike Among Colorado Coal
Miners Is General.
Unanimity of Action a Surprise
to the Operators.
JOINING THE UNION.
At Trinidad 500 Struck First
and Joined Afterward.
Italians Quit Work, but Main
tain Separate Organization.

Denver, Colo, Nov. Authorization
received from the coal fields of Colo
rado today indicates that the strike
Of the coal miners will be more ex-
tended than anticioated. 1t is report
ed that the order of the executive
committee of the United Mine Work
ers of America declaring a strike in
district Is for today has been obexed
in Colorado almost to the man. At
certain mines where it was confidently
believed a sufficient number of men
could be retained to operate them. it
appears that not enough men reported
today to make a showing. In the
northern fields. where the men decided
to strike upon their own referendum
vote because they have not been
granted an eight-hour work day. the
walkout is complete. 1t is said that
several of the INDEPENDENT mines will
make efforts to continue in operation.
but it is understood with little hope of
SUCCESS.
Unusual precautions have been taken
by the sheriff of Las Animas county,
in southern Colorado. where it is
feared trouble may break out at any
time. 1t is reported that strikers have
threatened violence if they are ousted
from the cottages of the Victor Fuel
company and the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company.
The state troops are being held in
readiness to respond at a moments
notice to call from the governor.
Already the effects of the strike are
/ being felt in this city. Practically all
the dealers announced today that they
1 have no coal to sell. The prospect is
favorable for a serious coal famine in
] haT- Re In fho zfQ
NO SMALL AFFAIR.
Trinidad, Col, Nov. 9.-It is now evil
dent that the strike of the coal miners
in first district of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron company is no small affair.
In fact it is strike out of all propor-
ton to that even hoped for by the Off
GERS of the United Mine Workers of
America and ten times what was looked
for by the coal operators. AT the meet
ing of the superfntendents and pit
bosseS held inAthe Colorado Fuel and
Iron offices in Trinidad last Thursday
night reports were made that in no
camp would enough men go out to
cause a shut down. 1t is doubtful If
enough men can be found in the whole
district to work the mines at Primero-
At Gray Creek every miner but one
| has quit and the camp is surrounded
| by armed guards. AT Bowen the men
! quit early. AT Starkville at one of the
camps reported as being wholly COM
pany men, nearly every man quit. At
Peadmont the new Rocky Mountain
Fuel company men took their tools
home There is not one mine in this
section that can start with a half crew
of miners.
All day Sunday the chiefs and miners
! were swarming into Trinidad, nearly all
! of them having their pay checks. The
checks were for such amounts that busi-
ness men could not cash them,and hence
lost thousands of dollars in trade. All
day long the miners were joining the
! United Mine w orkerS. The police who
| were stationed near the office of that or
ganization to prevent any possibility of
a clash between the union and nom
union men estimated that a least BOO
Joined and came out showing their I'M
ion cards. Commercial street for two
blocks was at one time choked with the
new union men.
The Italians have quit almost to a man.
They have not Joined the union to any ex-
| tent, giving as their reason that they were
sold out by the labor organization on two
or three occasions, and they prefer to go
out on their own responsibility on this oc-
casion. They will stay out, their officers
say. until the last one goes back to work.
They have plenty of money as individuals
and their society has large sums on de-
posit in banks here. All the railroads have
laid off the train crews. The Colorado and
Southern, Santa Fe and Denver and Rio
Grande have reduced their crews nearly
wyoming is principally out of business as
a coal road .
Sheriff Clark is securing deputies n
punches today many of the men having
been brought down from the sawniils and
the timber lands in the Stonewan valley
/ Today $50 were sworn in and twenty-five
have been sent to Hastings
So far as can be learned there has been
no violence, but clash is feared at Hast
ings The expense on the operators for
armed guards is now estimated at not less
than 1920 a day.
CHIEF CAUSE IS ABSENT.
Salt Lake, Utah, Nov. 9.-Reports
from all the coal mining camps of this
Estate are to the effect that no strike
of coal miners has taken place. One Of
the principal causes of the strike II
Colorado, the demand for an eight houl
working day, is absent here as an eighi
hour law is in effect in Utah.
NO STRIKE IN u P. MINES
Cheyenne, Wyo., Nov. 9.-Union Pa
cific officials announced today that nc
strike has occurred at coal mines along
their lines. Dispatches from Hanna
Cumberland, Rock Springs. Spring Val
ley, Diamondville and Cambria say th'
miners are working as usual.