The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-08-16
ASKS INQUIRY INTO
LABOR TROUBLES
Hon. N. R. Smith to Demand Inyesti
cation Of Western Miners Conuo.
versy-lntervIew in Denver
Times

ferrous mlulng states is to have tt
congressional investigation that
will be thorough and searching.
said Congressman VI X. Smith OF
Missouri, who is in Denver for Il
few days vacation.
Mr.. Smith has spent the entire
summer in the West studying con
dltons in Colorado. Idaho, Utah
and the other Western States. He
attended the Haywood trial for
nearly two months and form Boise
be pursued his Investigations in the
Occur d'Alenes and other points
in the Northwest.
Mr.. Smiths conclusions ARE
that great many abuses have been
practiced on both sides. He has
made study of the history of con.
ditlons that are forced upon the
miners, and he has gone in person
to those places where the mine
owners allege the Federation mem
bers have committed depredatlons.
1t is quiet apparent that the
mine owners have not accepted the
verdict of the Idaho jury, " said Mr..
Smith. i noticed in the morning
papers that they are declaring IN
trntiOn to continue prosecution on
other charges. It would seem as
though the legal and industrial
struggle would continue to an indie.
tcrminablc length, and think the
public is entitled TO a thorough Ia.
vesligatiOn Of the whole business,
and the finding of the committee
Let the investigation go back
as far as they like on both sides.
The congressional commission
should have the fullest powers in
the way of subpoenaing witnesses
and compelling investigation of all
matters.
There is already a resolution in
the senate providing for an invest
lgation into II certain phase Of the
situation, but | propose when Con
gress cOnvenes another resolution
shall ne introduced which will
broaden the scope of inquiry.
may not introduce the reSolu-
ton myself. but somebody else will
and shall work hard for its 0dop.
ton. F"
1t is very seldom that a public
official shows the interest and ener.
gy in a question such as Mr.. Smith
has displayed in the miners strug-
gle. Early in the summer he closed
up his law office and at great per.
sOnal sacrifice went to Boise to at
tend the Haywood trial.
Mr.. Smith took copiOus notes
during the trial, aud to such in
formation as he has added by visits
to Occur d'Alenes. Ii is also his
intention to spend some time at the
Cripple and other mining camps OF
the State.
! regard the labor question as
one of the most serious problems
that confronts the American peo-
ple," said Mr.. Smith. 1T is
condition aud we must meet it.
The differences between employers
and employees are growing more
acute. and that is unfortunate. II
was to be hoped at the conclusion
of the Haywood trial an era of good
feeling would follow, but that hope
seems to be shattered.
1t is all injustice to the people
in general that the fight should
continue. and if one side Of the
controversy seems determined upon
continuing the struggle we had
better look into the facts upon be-
half of the people, for after all the
people are the ones who always
suffer in strife of this character. y
Mr.. Smith is candidate for the
minority place on the house com
mittee on labor, and he has assur
unce from his Democratic colleagues
that he will receive their supper
for the one place on the committee
which the minority party is accor
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