CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-11-12
COAL MINERS STRIKE
Practically All Mines in Fremont
County Shut Down. Fifteen
Hundred Miners Idle In
Florence and Canon
City Districts.


Southern Colorado coal fields wHs in
nugurated last Monday M rning and
ten or twelve thtusand miners are n''w
out, more than one-ienth OF the entire
number are in Fremont county, the re-
mainder being in Las Animas. Huer-
fano and other counties in the coal
producing sections.
The strike had been 20 long in con
temptation that but little surprise war
manifested at the action OF the miners,
although the walkout appear to have
been more complete than was sntici-
psted by the mine operators, especially
in the Trinidad district. where the
union was not as thoroughly Organized
as il was in this county.
The union officials Bre reported TO
have tn. strike well in hand and no
disturbance has yet taken place, nor Is
any anticipated, although in several
localities deputies have been sworn in
as safeguard against any riotoos con-
duet on the par, Of the strikers.
Although about seventy men are
working at the Chandler mines, the
Victor Fuel company, which owns be
property, appealed to Sheriff Simon last
Monday night for protection and sir
men were sworn In as deputies. and,
with Mr.. Simon. proc-ed.-d TO that
place about 10 O'Clock, where they are
now in charge OF the mine. Theirs has
hesn no lawle.-uess ut Chand Ter either
Aciuai.or implied, and the application
Of the Victor Fuel company - the
authorities for protection was prrel,
precautionary measure.
Since the strike number oi unions
and Il is stated that ninety--ight per
cent of the men engag-d in The coal
production of Fremont county ar. nov
affiliated with that organization. In
the immesiiaie vicinity of Canon City
only two mines are being operated.
the koyn, Gsrge and the Diamond.
The former IL at present employing
between thirty and forty men all told
and the latter abou. twenty In ad
dition to these there are working two
small mine. near Williamsburg and
one in the neighborhoad 81 Rockvale,
employing in the aggregate less than a
hundred men.
The Royal Gorge company last Mon
day conceded its employees all the
strikers are asking for pending settle
ment Of the present controversy and IL
Is not nprrch.nded that il will
have any trouble In operating its
property.
The strike, which is likely to include
the coal fields of northern Colorado
ard Utah, ms well as the Arkansas
valley. is predica,ed primarily upon
demand for an eight-hour day although
there are number Of supplemental
demands. such as an increase OF wages
Of from twenty 10 ihirty-five per cent;
two pay-days n month; the abolition
Of company script in the payment Of
wages and the right to trade where
they please.
The mine pper ators maintain that
they would be forced into bankruptcy
II they were to conduct business upon
the hass asked for by the employees.
and say they prefer TO have their
properties remain idle rather than
scc-de to such drastic demands. The
men, on the other hand, are d.termin-
ed to have the reforms which they ask
for. and. rs result, the strike Is likely
to be one Of the longest and most dis
astrous in the history OF the state.
Already Its consequences are being
felt along all avenues Of trade and
they are likely to become more stren-
ous as the months go pat. The Port
land Cement company, operating six
miles south Of Florence was closed
down last Monday ns result OF the
coal strike and a0u men thrown out OF
employment. The transportation
companies have already felt its effects
and twenty train crews on the d. & X.
G. were laid OF the Hrs, OF the week
pending an adjustment of the troubles
between the coal operators and their
men.
As far as possible people generally