The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-12-05
miners. Of |:. COLORADO j / 4 y.
:. VICTIMS Of. :1YRANY
WESTERN FEDERATION OF LABOR
ISSUES STRONG CIRCULAR.
nlshts OF Citizens are Ruth1essly Torn
ana Tramp1ed Upon by the State
M1litia.-lnnocent Men Arrested
without Warrant and Held Without
Charge. Writ of Habeas Cornus
Denied.

Cripple Creek; Colo, Dec. 3.-Anarcbv
rules this section. 1t is not the strik-
ing miners and their sympathizers who
are responsible, but the state militia
and the mine owners association. It
is the miners wish that peace and
order should prevail. The fact is that
Is their organization is so. strong
that the mine owners cannot CONQUER
them by fair methods. The militia was
called out on the merest pretense early
in the strike, and in spite of their pres
ence and their wholesale display of
military tyranny it failed to break the
strike. The people of Colorado saw
that the state was mourning consider
able useless expense in keeping the
militia at the mines when the civil
authorities maintained that they were
capable Of preserving order, and so an
agitation was stirred up which result
ed in a partial withdrawal Of the state
troops No sooner had they been with
drawn when the mine owners connived
schemes to incite lawlessness. Sham
fight were planned. Associated press
reporters were paid to send out false
and sensational stories. An unproftt-
able mine was blown up, and several
lives were sacrificed for the purpose
of creating a sentiment in favor of
again sending out the militia. In spite
of all of this peace and order prevailed
in the camps of the union miners.
Striking miners were arrested for vag-
rancy and ordered out of town by sur
vile Judges. Threatening letters,
written from the mine owners quar-
ters, have been sent to General Bell,
and every one has been given publica-
ton. The state authorities are in
league with the mine owners to de-
stroy union labor in Colorado.
A circular letter under the heading,
Liberty Lies Bleeding" has been sent
out by the mine workers union. It is
as follows:
Never in the history of the United
States of America have the rights of
citizens been SO ruthlessly torn and
trampled as during the last few weeks
in Cripple Creek district, Colorado.
Innocent men have been arrested
without warrant, held without charge,
confined for weeks in a bull pen and
denied the writ Of habeas COZ us. The
civil process of law is ignored. Women
and children terrorized and threatened
with imprisonment. The freedom of
press and speech is throttled!
These terrible outrages are but chap
ters in the dark and subtle conspiracy
to defeat the will of the people of this
state, where majority of 10000 elect
ors declared for an eight hour law for
persons employed in mines, mills
smelters, reduction works and blast
furnaces. ::
y. To; PROVE that a. conspiracy exists it
is only necessary to say that the milf
tary is rented to the mine operators,
$500 armed men hired out like convicts
TO shoot down the strikers if need be,
anything to break the strike.
General Chase says, "The militia will
remain in Cripple Creek until unionism
is wiped OUT
General Bell Says "only the Lord
and the military powers know what
our next move will be-
Judge Advocate McClelland says, "To
hell with the constitution; we are not
following the constitution"
Governor Peabody when presented
with petition signed by 5000 citizens
asking LnaI the troops be recalled bru-
tally replied, THE soldier will stay in
Cripple Creek until the strike is bro
KEN"
Frank Woods, manager of the Gold
Coin Mine, told his employees they
must sever their affiliation with the
Western Federation of Miners or be
discharged. Every man quit rather.
than violate his obligation
The striking miners, mill and smelter
men of Colorado are standing firm and
determined for an eight hour day and
the right to organize and to prevent
discrimination.
No man with drop of red blood in
his veins will go to Cripple Creek as
strike breakers and work under rifles,
bayonets and Calling guns.
Workingmen, be true to yourselves,
stay away from Colorado and thus help
win a victory for justice and humanity.
CHARLES MOVER, President.
w. D. HAYWOOD,
Secretary Treasurer.