The state herald., 1904-08-26

nVeSgaOn published arraiSnment the west
ern Federation of Miners.
Mr. Welman has Investigated several great strikes,
and has hestated place the blame where he be-
eved it should justly lie. supported the
tentions of John Mitchell in the anthracite coal fields of
Pennsylvania and had the satisfaction of seeing public
opinion, President Roosevelt strike commission
take his view of the situation Mr. Weman has recently
published several striking letters in the Colorado situa
on in the New York Herald Chicago Record and other
papers, which have caused sensation in the East In
his last letter he summed and his conclusion in
clear logical manner He the policy pursued by the
state authorities jusable, and he highly commends
those officials This letter will be useful in correct
ing public sentiment in the East which has been msed
by the socialist bureau and its allies at the head of
whom is Senator Patterson. The following excerpts from
Mr.. Welman's letter will show the position he takes:
any conclusion has been reached after two weeks of
pansakns investigation; after hearing both sldes after
sitting of data furnished by the leading Of the
by state authorities after
extended talks with neutral citizens who In position
to know much of the truth after minute inquiry into the
details Of various episodes which throw light upon the
question Of moral responsibility and after conscientious
effort to make impartial judicial analysis of all conflict
ing statements.
This investigation was approached with perfectly
open mind without any bias between the factions;
without the slightest for the interests of
political party candidate If there any bent of
mind instructive trend of sympathy the part of the
investigator it could be found only general inclna
on to take the side of the under dog against oppression
and wrong, to champion the OF organized labor
wherever organized labor is wholesome conservative
| and has right behind it.
THE judgment reached is emphatic decisive. It
is hating. doubtful divided opinion. 1t is lame
and mpotent conclusion tmd Scotch verdict adro
balancing of the party against those
the other In TRUTH Judgment would be sheer coward
Ice: for have known labor in which the guilt
and responsibility Of side stood clearly
mstakably.
in do pl hy
bunders the of the Western Federation of Miners
bunders wicked and atrocious that they may fairly
be called crimes
"As usual, the responsible for this blunder
than crime this crime against their people, pay
ing penalty They draw their salaries in security They
live in comparative luxury Theirs is the pleasant
Of disbursing the relief funds-Sl0000 weewhch pour
in to Emeorae the misery they have wrought 1t was
their lot to live through the reign of Their
wives have not died in the crises of nature, made
terrible and often fatal by agony of fear lest
should be engulfed in the crime
anarchy, repression which swept the community.
IF the leaders who precipItaed this conflict had had
actual TO right If they had had Just be-
hind them; II they had had fair chance to gain
real advantage for the and they represented
IT, this basis they had a brave and honest fight
and lost it, friend Of labor certainly not the writer
would could condemn them
But these men had right justice behind them
They had a win tangible advantage for
their followers. There n possibility that they
could achieve any practical good for the organ
lied labor Leave out of consideration for the all
the rights Of the employers OF the communities involved
of society at large and reducing everything to the
standpoint of what good good for
labor, and still Il criminal blunder.
In some fit OF mad ambition fanaticai zeal lust
of wanton love for these desperate leaders
made pawns and victims of the men and women whose
interest It their duty to guard They wickedy
n conflict which they have known could end moth.
ingb Their mi Or MAY mot
have been honorable.
But is certain fate that their action with.
out Justification from point Of view and least Of all
from that Of organized labor itself.
There may be differences OF opinion to whether or
has the right himself But there are
differences OF opinion TO the right of suicide
drag down his children. who cling TO him because they
lieve he IS wise and strong.
Referring to the calling of the Cripple Creek
and the excellent working conditions in that camp. Mr.
wellman says;
Il" bad enough OF the federation leaders plunge
their followers into useless 1t unfair rob
them OF the right TO their strike Notwith
standing all OF Mr. Hnywoods clever qubbing The is
mani the remains the national convention
took the referendum away from the local unions And for
what purposes? First because the leaders eager
concentrate this power In their hands, sec
ond they knew II the question was left to the
miners themselves they would three to one against
u strike.
AT the Findlcy mInc the original draft and sig
OF document voluntarily prepared by the miners
there at the sympathetic strike was nrs talked
Of expressing sympathy for the Colorado City hut
declaring they good why they should quit
work that account II signed by every the
mine Yet when the order from Denver every man
quit work. simply through loyalty the organization The
same sentiment prevailed throughout the district. Only
the hothoadS and professional hgitaors the walk
| out The great majority did not want II.
There was reason under heaven why they should
want L. Here something like 1000 men worknu In
and about the mines, all but abou, 700 members tn,
union. All content. All were worsnp under the
soesled Waite agreement then In force nine years,
The minimum wage was 50 day for eight hours work.
up to $3.50 a day for engineers. Mr.. Arkins
/ al inla Ia hna