The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-01-16
SEEKS lid ] f0I /.
COLORADO MEN.
REPRESENTATIVE or STRIKING
MINERS WELL .:REcEiVED.5::
Local Unions Respond. Libsra'ly to the
Appeal for Funds to Aid Striking
Miners. Possibility of Agreement
Between, American Labor Union and
American Federation Of Labor. 4

MINNEAPOLIS, January 14.--Janes
KirwAn, a member of. the executive
board of the Western Federation Of
Miners, who has been i'll the city in the
interest Of his organization, the. mem
bers of which are on strike in Colora-
do, is much pleased at the very cordial
reception and support accorded him
and the organization he represents by
the unions in this city. Mr.. Kirwan
appeared before the Trades Assembly
Wednesday night and gave an outline
of the experiences of the strikers in
Colorado under martial law. About
10000 men are on strike in the different
mining sections, and one of the objects
of his visit here is to secure funds
with which to carry the contest to a
successful issue for the miners. The
unions are responding literally. The
Western Federation of Miners is an
American Labor Union organization,
but this fact is not preventing org
anized labor generally from lending aid
to the men on strike. In speaking of
conditions in the west from a labor
point Of view, Mr.. Kirwan said:
''1n the western country, and par
ttcularly In Colorado. organized labor
has been divided against itself. The
American Federation of Labor and
the American Labor Union-the lat
ter at this time powerful factor in
labor matters in the west-have been
fighting for supremacy, with the re-
suit that the unions in both organiza-
lions have suffered. III Denver, at
the present time, there are. two rival
central labor bodies. and this fact
has had a tendency to demoralize the
whole movement. But I am glad to
say that I believe this condition will
soon be thing Of the past and that
the lion and the lamb will lie down
together, so to speak. Arrangements
have been made for a meeting of the
executive boards Of the American
Federation of Labor and the Amerf-
can Labor Union early in the coming
spring. and it is generally understood
that an agreement of some kind
which will insure permanent peace in
western labor circles will be arrived
at. In the meantime the American
Federation Of Labor is supporting the
Western Federation of Miners in it's
struggle.
"The Colorado State Federation of
Labor has sent out call for con-
vention of all the unions of the state,
regardless Of affiliation. to meet in
Denver on Jan. II, and it is confident
ly expected that this gathering will
effect a consolidation of the labor
forces. At this convention the strike
Of the metalliferous miners will be
considered and steps taken to solidify
the labor elements and eliminate fric-
ton from #t Ira nks.. Every one reals
.fsess that HI ord r; toss get the best
suits inferno cine. strife has Ia she done
away with. and: the followers Of the
American Labor uion are as anxious
for peace as any one, .~'.,>: &
1--WE are confident of winning in our
strike if we receive the support of or
ganized labor turnout the United
States. Representatives of the strik~
ers are being sent to eastern cities
where work will be done in the way
of raising funds and presenting our
side of the case to the public; the,sam
as is being done in Minneapolis. The
courtesy and assistance extended our
cause by the local unions is indeed
gratifying and is greatly appreciated"
Mr.. Kirwan will remain in Minne-
apolis about two weeks longer, during
which time he will appear before the
various local labor organizations. He
will then go to st. Paul.