The Grit-advocate., 1904-07-22
The Western Federation OF Miners

In view OF the fact that the demo-
cratic party in Colorado is attempting
to curry favor with the socialists in
the state, and the members Of their
official organization, the Western
Federation of Miners, and in its ef-
forts to do this has denounced the poll
cy OF Governor Peabody in depOrting
many OF the members OF that organiza-
tion out OF the Cripple Creek district,
the editorial from the Victor Record
that follows will be OF interest to our
readers. 1t will be remembered that
the Record was the official organ Of
the Federation in Teller county and
that the paper espoused their cause
until the dynamiting OF non-union
miners at Independence When this
outrage was perpetrated by members
of the Federation. the Record advised
calling oil the strike. the editor real
izing that the struggle OF the miners
was hopeless one. This was immedi-
Ately followed by raid on the Record
Office in which the machinery and
other parts Of the plant were practi-
cally ruined.
Referring to the editorial which
brought this calamity upon it, and to
the action Of the Federation officials,
the Record says in its issue Of July 8:
1t is practically useless TO argue
with the present officials of the FEEDER
alton. They have no sympathy in
their hearts for these suffering people
here and those who have been deport-
ed. The Record has made manly
fight for the rank and file Of that Or
ganiZation, but it was not severe
enough for the officials; it was argu-
tnentative and not abusive, and they
considered that poor work, SO that
when this plant was wrecked month
ago tomorrow, the management of this
institution received not word Of
sympathy from those officials or one
cent Of reward or pay toward repair
ing the damages.
The serious mistake Of the Western
Federation OF Miners is that they have
allowed the head offices to be filled
with Socialists in place Of diplomatic
Inen and men with sympathy for their
following. There never was Il better
class Of miners organized than those
who were working the mines OF this
district one year ago, but they took an
obligation and that obligation has not
been abised by them but by the men
that had them by virtue OF that obli-
CATION in control.
When called upon to walk out from
the best labor conditions known in the
country they obeyed, though 20 per
cent Of them feared that it meant hard
ships and starvation for their families,
yet the leaders of that organization
forced them to swallow the dose pre-.
pared for them, and the result is that
there is no organization by that name
in the Cripple Creek district today.
Who's responsible? Deportations were
In force here when the Western Fed
Grafton held sway-they are in force
today, but the other fellow gives the
command now.
This editorial no doubt voices the
sentiments OF all law abiding citizens
In Teller county, as we'll as those In
other parts of the state. Governor
Peabody's action in deporting anarch-
lists and murderers from Teller county
may seem too severe a measure to have
adopted, but it was probably the only
thing that could have been done to rid
the district OF such people. AS such
it deserves the cOmmendation OF all
believers In the maintenance OF law
and order.
Night Was uer Ierrnr