The Lamar register., 1904-08-24

published arragnment the West
Federation of Miners.
wellman Investigated several great strikes
and has hestated place the blame where he be-
should justly lie. He twice supported the
Mitchell in the anthracite coal fields of
Pennsylvania had the satisfaction of seeing public
opinion. President Roosevelt and the strike commission
take his view of the situation Mr. Wellman has recently
published striking in the Colorado situa
tion New York Herald Chicago Record and other
papers which caused sensation in the East In
his last letter he summed and gave his conclusion in
clear logical He the policy pursued by the
authorities justifable and he highly commends
This will be useful in correct
ing public sentiment in the East which has been msled
by the socialist bureau and its allies at the head of
Patterson The following from
Mr. Welmans letter will show the position he takes
MY conclusion has been reached after two weeks of
panstakns Investigations after hearing both sdes after
sitting furnished by the leading of the
by the authorities after of
talks with citizens who in position
truth after minute inquiry into the
details o episodes which 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 bias between the factions
without the slightest for the interests of any
political party candidate II there bent of
mind instructive trend of sympathy the part of the
investigator could be found only general inclina
side of under dog against oppression
and to champion the of organized labor
wherever labor wholesome and conservative
and has right behind it.
'The Judgment reached is emphatic and decisive. 1t
is haltng doubtful divided opinion. 1t is lame
and mpoen conclusion timid Scotch verdict adro
balancing of the of party against those OF
the other In truth Judgment would be sheer coward
ice; for have known labor in which the guilt
and responsibility of one side clearly
mistakaby.
This Colorado precipitated by a series of
bunders of Federation of Miners
bunder wicked and atrocious that they fairly
be ed Grim
-As usual the men responsible bunder worse
than crime this crime against their people
penalty They draw their salaries in security They
live luxury Theirs is the pleasant task
disbursng relief funds-s10O00 week-which pour
Gmeiorate the misery they have wrought. 1t
their lot live through the reign of terror Their
wives have not died in the crises of nature made more
terrible by agony of fear lest
husband should be engufed in the of crime
anarchy. repression. which the community.
IF the leaders who precipated this conflict had had
right; they had had just cause be-
hind them; they had had fair chance to gain some
real advantage for the and women they represented
IT, this basis they had made brave and honest fight
friend of labor, certainly the writer.
would sr could condemn them
But these had right justice behind them.
They had chance to win tangible advantage for
their followers There not a possibility that they
could achieve practical good for the of
labor Leave out of consideration for the moment all
rights of the employers of the communities involved
society large. and reducing everything to the
standpoint of what good good for union
labor and still it a criminal blunder.
In some ambition fanatical zeal lust
wanton love for these desperate leaders
made pawns victims of the and whose
their guard They wickedy entered
a which have known could end in moth
ing but misery Their motives not
have been honorable
fate that their action with
justification from point Of view and least Of all
Of organized labor itself.
There may differences of opinion to whether or
the right drown himself. But there are
differences of opinion the right OF suicide to
drag who cling him because they
/ lieve he is wise and strong
Referring o calling of the Cripple Creek
the excellent working conditions in that Mr.
weman
1T bad enough federation leaders plunge
their followers a useless 1t unfair rob
them of the right their strike Notwith-
standing Haywoods clever quibbling (he is
the remains that the national convention
from the local unions And for
what purposes? First, because the leaders
TO concentrate this great power their hands;
ond. they knew if the question left the
miners themselves they would three against
a strike
AT the Findley the original draft sig
voluntarily prepared by miners
the time the sympathetic strike first talked
expressing sympathy for Colorado City but
declaring they good why they should quit
that 1t signed by in the
mine Yet when the order from Denver, man
work simply through loyalty the organization The
sentiment prevailed throughout the district Only
professional wanted
The majority did not want IT.
! There reason under heaven why they should
it. Here something like 1000 working in
about the mines, all but about 700 members of
union All All working under the
Waite agreement then abou, years
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