The Grit-advocate., 1904-08-26


ern Federation of Miners.
Mr. Welman has investigated great strikes
and has never hesated to place the blame
eved it should justly e He twice supported the con-
tentions of John Mitchell the fields of
Pennsylvania. and had the satisfaction of seeing public
opinion. President Roosevelt and the strike
take his view of the situation Mr. recently
published several striking letters in the Colorado stua
ton in the New York Herald. Chicago Record other
papers, which have caused sensation the In
his last letter he summed and gave his conclusion
clear logical manner He the policy pursued by the
state authorities justifabe and he highly
those officials This letter will very useful
ing public sentiment in the East which has been msed
by the socialist bureau and its allies the head
whom Is Senator Patterson The following excerpts from
Mr. Weman's letter will show the position he takes
my conclusion has been reached after two weeks Of
pansakng investigations after hearing both ses after
sitting of data furnished by the leading
rival forces and the state authorities;
extended talks with citizens who in position
to know much Of the truth; after minute inquiry
details Of various episodes which throw light upon
question Of moral responsibility after conscientious
effort to make impartial judicial analysis Of conflict
ing statements.
This investigation approached with perfectly
open mind; without bias between the factions;
without the slightest for the interests of any
political party candidate. If there any bent Of
mind or instructive trend of sympathy part
investigator it could be found only in general nclina
on to take the side of the under dog against oppression
and to champion the of organized labor
wherever organized labor is wholesome and conservative
and has right behind it.
THE judgment reached is emphatic and decisive. It
is no haltng doubtful, divided opinion 1t is lame
and impoent conclusion timd Scotch verdict adro
balancing of the Of 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
mistakably.
This Colorado was precipated by series of
blunder the of the Western Federation Miners
-blunders wicked and atrocous that they may fairly
be called crimes. Z" -"
"As usual, the responsible for this bunder
than crime this crime against their people,
ing penalty They draw their salaries security They
live in comparative luxury Theirs is the pleasant task
dsbursng the relief fundss1C 900 week-which pour
in to ameliorate the misery they have wrought 1t
not their lot to live through the reign of terror Their
wives have died in the crises of nature
terrible often fatal by agony of lest
husband should be engufed in the of crime
anarchy, repression which swept over the community.
IF the leaders who precpiated this conflict had
actual wrongs to right they had had just be-
hind them: if they had had fair chance gain
real advantage for the and they represented
if this basis they had made brave and honest fight
and lost it, friend of labor certainly the writer
would could condemn them.
But these had right or justice behind them
They had chance to win tangible advantage for
their followers There not possibility that they
could achieve any practical for the of
lied labor of consideration for the moment all
the rights of the employers the communities involved
of society large and reducing everything to the mar
rover standpoint of what good not good for union
labor and still it criminal blunder.
in some of mad ambition or fanatica zeal or lust
of power or wanton these desperate leaders
made pawns and victims of the men and women whose
interest it was their duty guard They wckedy
conflict which they must have known could end in moth
ing but defeat and misery Their motives may may
have been honorable.
But is fate that their action with
out Justification from point of view and least Of all
from that Of organized labor itself.
There may differences Of opinion as to whether
not man right to drown himself. But there are
no differences of opinion the right of suicide to
drag children who cling to him because they be-
lieve he is wise and strong.
Referring calling of the men at Cripple Creek
and the excellent working conditions in that camp Mr.
Wellman says:
eft was bad enough of the federation leaders to plunge
their followers useless 1t was unfair to rob
them of the right their strike. Notwith-
standing all of Mr. Haywoods clever quibbling Che is
smart mani the remains that the national convention
took the referendum away from the local unions And for
what nsrposes? because the leaders were eager
to concentrate this great power in their hands, SEQ
ond because they knew question was left to the
miners themselves they wol vote three to one against
a strike.
'At the Findley mine saw the original draft and sig
natures of voluntarily prepared by the miners
there at the time the sympathetic strike first talked
Of expressing sympathy the men ut Colorado CITY but
declaring they good reason why they should quit