The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-04-19
ny DR.. Washington GLADDEN., special
Commissioner OF the n. q. A. at the
Seat Of the Colorado war.

ny DR.. Washington GLADDEN., special
Commissioner Of the n. q. A. at the
Seat Of the Colorado War.
copyright. 1904. by the Newspaper
Enterprise Association.)
have spent three long and busy
days in Colorado City and Denver en-
deavoring to get some clear impress
sion of the real condition of things In
the Colorado mining camps.
have sought. in my three days
study on the ground, to get impress
sions and points Of view, and l have
conversed with many people-busi-
ness men, professional men. repre-
sentatives of the Citizens alliance.
labor leaders, workingmen OF vari-
GUS callings. Needless to say that
many points are not yet clear, and
that Judgment must often be sus-
pended.
The trouble is in the metalliferous
mining camps of Cripple Creek. Tel
luride, Victor, Ouray Idaho Springs
and other places in the mountains
west of Colorado Springs. and In the
smelling works of Colorado City; the
coal mines north of Colorado Springs
and those at Trinidad. in the southern
part of the state, are also affected.
One of the points In dispute Is the
question whether the drastic meas
ures of the state government have
been effcctual.
/ From Telluride, which was the
storm center. most of the troops have
been withdrawn. and, as / write. news
comes that the ."deported' miners are
TO be allowed to return to their
homes but the town is still under
military rule. and all news passes un-
der the censorship of the military au-
thorities, while the "bullpen" still
confines some of the miners leaders,
including the president of the West
ern Federation of Miners.
Some of the miners at Telluride are
at work how many do not know.
At Cripple Creek there are no
troops, and the mines have generally
resumed operations; many of the
striking miners have returned to
work.
Troops are still in the Trinidad
coal fields. and the lockout of the
Colorado Fuel q Iron company at
Pueblo, by which 1900 men were
thrown out Of work In December last.
Is still In force.
1t Is evident, therefore. that nor
NAL conditions are by no means re-
stored
When asked whether the stringent
measures adopted by the governor are
likely to result in order and peace.
some citizens express the sanguine
hope that such will be the issue. and
others doubt whether any permanent
gains have been made.
There has been no attempt to resist
the military authorities: the men have
submitted everywhere to the rule of
force; whether their temper has been
improved in the process remains to be
seen.
The situation In the mining camps
Is somewhat affected by the labor
troubles in the cities.
In most OF the principal cities citi-
fight the labor unions.
These compact organizations of en-
p1oyers have been taking vigorous
measures to prevent the unionizing of
industries. and to maintain the princi-
pie of the open shop.
They are accused of plotting the
destruction of the unions, and doubt
members would gladly use their pow
er for this purpose; but their oonsti-
tuition recognizes the right of laborors
'to combine and work together in
whatsoever way they think will in
crease their earnings, shorten their
hours. lessen their labor or better
their condition"
Mr.. J. c. Craig of Denver. who Is
the president of the alliance In that
city. and also. I believe. OF tho state
alliance. very emphatically denied
that the organizat ton had any purpose
of destroying the unions: 1t aimed
only at preventing their abuses and
promoting law and order.
These alliances are, I believe, In
utilization with the national organiza-
tion Of employers which Mr., Parry
has been promoting. though the men,
u bers dlsclaim that uncompromising
hostility to the unions which Mr..
Parry has declared.
There Is no doubt that the citizens
alliances have done much to generate
the public sentiment which has sup
ported the governor In his heroic deal
ings with the miners unions.
The Western Federation OF Miners
Is the organization by which the fight
in the mining camp has been cen
Quoted.
1t claims about 10000 members
scattered through the western states
and territories. 1t is not in afilia-
tion with the United Mine Workers
of America. nor with the American
Federation of Labor, on account OF
its socinlistic proclivities.
Whatever may be their attitude to-
ward other labor organizations. there
IS no doubt that the Mine Owners
associations Of Colorado have declar-
Cd war to the death against this par
ticular organization.
The general sentiment OF the public
Is also extremely hostile to this fed
GRAFTON. and especially bitter In It's
Judgment of it's president. Charles
Meyer and its secretary. william D.
Hayward.