Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-08-26
WELLMAN's INDICTMENT

Investigation published arrs!snment the West
Federation OF Miners.
Mr. Welman has investigated several great strikes.
has hesated to place the blame where he be-
eved should Justly lie. He twice supported the
tentions OF John Mitchell the anthracite coal fields of
Pennsylvania and had the satisfaction OF seeing public
opinion President Roosevelt and the strike commission
take his of the situation. Mr. wellman has recently
published several striking letters in the Colorado stua
tion the York Herald. Chicago Record and other
papers, which have caused sensation in the East. In
his last letter he up and his conclusion In
clear logical He the policy pursued by the
state authorities justnabe and he highly commends
those ocais This letter will be useful in correct
ing public sentiment in the East which has been mised
by socialist press allies head OF
whom Senator Patterson The following excerpts from
Mr.. wellmsns letter will show the position he takes:
"My conclusion has reached after weeks Of
panstaIns after hearing both sldes after
sitting furnished BY the leading the
forces and by the state auhertes after Of
extended talks with neutral citizens who In position
much Of the TRUTH after minute inquiry Into the
details Of various episodes which throw light the
question ss moral responsibility and after conscientious
effort make impartial Judicial analysis Of all conflict
Ing statements.
open mind: without bias between the factions:
without the slightest for the interests Of
political party candidate. II there any bent Of
mind instructive trend Of sympathy the the
Investigator II could be found only In general inclina
ton take the side Of the under dog against oppression
and to champion the Of organized labor
wherever labor wholesome conservative
aad has right behind II.
Tho Judgment reached emphatic and decisive. II
10 hatinE. doubtful. divided opinion. II Is lame
and impotcnt conclusion timd Scotch verdict. adro
balancing OF tho Of against those
the other In truth any Judgment would be sheer coward
cc for have . labor In which guilt
and responsibility Of side stood out clearly and
mIstskssiy.
biundsrs the of the Western Federation of Miners
-blunders wicked and aroeoas that they fairly
Be called crimes. . .
As usual the men responsible for this blunder worse
than crime. this crime against their people,
penalty. They draw their salaries security They
live In comparative luxury. Theirs Is the pleasant task
Of disbursns the relief funds-so.cco ~cckwhich pour
II to smciioratc the misery they have wrought.
their lot live through the reign Of Their
wives have died In the crises Of nature made
terrible and more often fatal by agony Of fear lest
husband shoad DO enxulssd In tho Of crime
anarchy. repression. which swept tho community.
IT the leaders who prccipi,acd this
actual to ristt they had had just b.
hind them: thcy had had fair chance to gain
this basis they had made brave and homes, nsh,.
and friend Of labor certainly writer.
would could condrmn them
But these men right or justice behind them.
They had chance to win tangible advantage for
their followers There possibility ,hs, they
could achieve practical good for the Of
ised labor of consideration for
the rights employers of the communities Involved
standpoint Of what good good for union
labor. and still 1t vas a criminal bunacr.
In q; Of mad ambition fsnatieai zeal lust
Of power these desperate leaders
made pawns and victims Of the and whose
interest their duty guard. They ~ckcy entered
a conflict which they have known could moth
Ing defeat misery. Their motives may may
have been honorable.
"sut 10 certain fate that their action with
justification from point Of view. and least Of all
from that Of organized labor itself.
There may be differences Of opinion whether
not a has the right drown himself hut there
differences Of opinion to the right Of suicide TO
drag his children. who cling To him because they be
iere he Is wise and strong. . . .
Referring the calling Of the Cripple Creek
and the excellent working conditions in that camp. Mr.
weilman says:
their followers into a useless It unfair to rob
them of the right TO vote their strike. No,wi,h
standing all of Mr.. Haywoods clever aubbnE The is
the fact remains tina, the national convention
referendum from the local unions And for
what purposesr First. the leaders
this power in their hands:
ond. because they knew II the question left to the
miners themselves they would three to against
a strike
"At the Fndley mine the original draft and sig
Of voluntarily prepared by the miners
there the time the sympathetic strike frs, talked
expressing sympathy for the Colorado City but
declaring they good why they should quit
that It signed by every In the
m Yet. when the order from