The Lamar register., 1904-08-03

board
Notwithstanding this report
strike was again declared against the
mills. 1t was Intellectual. and there
upon a sympathetic strike was de
clared by the federation in Cripple
Creek to cut off the ore supply of the
mills. The president of the fedora
tion stated before the commission
that no grievance existed against the
mine owners.
cit has been contended. and appar-
emily generally believed. that this
strike was called because of the fail
ure of the Legislature to enact an
eight-hour law. AS matter of fact.
the strike at Colorado City was called
on the 18th of February. some five or
six weeks before the adjournment OF
the Legislature which then had under
consideration an eight-hour law, and al
a time when every indication pointed
to the enactment thereof. The Stand
ard mill. at which the strike occurred.
had an eight-hour plant for FIVE years
working the eight-hour day in every de
partment save one. and that one en-
ploying but small proportion of its
men. In his testimony before the
governors commission. above referred
to- Mr.. Meyer. president of the fedef-
alton, in response to the direct ques-
tion as to whether or not he had any
complaint to make as to the hours Of
labor, replied. 'NoLe whatever
Eight-Hour Day For Ten Years.
SO far as the, Cripple Creek district
is concerned. the mine workers have
worked a maximum of eight hours per
day for over ten years, and out of
this time one-half hour is allowed for
luncheon. receiving the union scale of
wages which is a minimum of SO and
an average of nearly 81 per day.
In response to the call for strike
in the Cripple Greek district some 1000
men discontinued work and every
mine except one was effectually
closed The sheriff and nearly every
peace officer Of the county were mem
bers of the Western Federation of
Miners and owed their positions to the
votes and influence of that organiza-
tion. Almost Immediately after the
calling of the strike the mine owners
decided to open their mines as rapidly
as possible. One property was opened
under heavy private guard. Early in
September. however, an effort was
made to bring about the general open
ing of the mines of the district. As
soon as this was done picketing and
intimidation and murderous assault
were resorted to.
81 well know the history and char
acter of this organization 1t is. in
fact. a matter OF common knowledge
in Colorado that for ten years this
federation has stopped at nothing to
accomplish its purpose-threats. intim-
idation. assaults. dynamite outrages
murders, have everywhere character
lied its policy. 1t has been the occa-
sion of more trouble and expense to
the state than all other causes com
bined. including Indian raids. 1t has
never had strike that has not been
bloody The catalogue of its. crimes
affrights humanity. In times of strike
its action has amounted to open insur
rection against the state The leaders
of this organization have instilled into
the minds Of its membership the ne
cessity of arming themselves for the
purpose of resisting constituted au-
thorities.
'In his speech delivered in Salt Lake
City in 1897 Mr.. Boyce. since president
of the Western Federation of Miners
and the man who organized the Colo
rado branch of this organization
said:
81 deem il important to direct your
attention to article of the constitu-
tional amendments OF the United
States: THE right of the people to
keep and bear arms shall not be in
with Immediately. Every union should
the latest improved rifle. which can be
obtained from the factory at a nominal
price. ! entreat you to take action on
this important question, SO that in two
years we can hear the inspiring music
of the martial tread of 25.000 armed
men in the ranks of labor
This utterance is in line with ad-
vice repeated and reiterated by other
leaders of the organization.
Federation has a Bloody Record.
Nor have these words been sterile
of fruit. In every strike inaugurated
by this union in the state of Colorado
has been the precedent set in Idaho, in
1892. when 1000 men armed themselves
with rifles. pillaged boldly from the
state armory, and openly proceeded to
take life and destroy property by dyna-
hitting the Bunker Hill and Sullivan
mill.
In 1894 federation members armed
to the teeth. entrenched and picketed,
and with precise military organization
defiantly held prisoners for exchange
on Bull hill, in Cripple Creek
In 1886 federation members killed
in open conflict on the streets of Lead
vile citizens of Lake county, and did
those murders with rifles bought and
paid for by the local executive commit
tee of the federation.
In San Miguel county. Vincent St
John. president of the local union of
the Western Federation. bought and
paid for $50 rifles. with which he
armed his federation followers. and
these guns were used in broad daylight
on non-union miners at the Smuggler-
Union mine in one of the most inhu-