The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-02-08
4 CRUSADE FOR HUMANKIND

A CRUSADE FOR HUMANKIND
MODERN civilization can not accept
tt statement as correct, TO effect
there lis no method by which these
appalling mining disasters may be
There can be no system
permissible to imperil the lives OF
the industrial worker to so great an
extent as has proven true OF recent
years II the present system OF min
ing affords no better protection than
at present seems true, that system
must be changed and enlightened so
c.ety must see that such change is
made. Ii the present mining system
allows the merest accident 10 shut
out air and an accident TO the main
ent ance prevent escape or rescue,
then there shcIld be more and better
entrances and the cry OF great cost
can not be allowed TO deter the move
ment for change.
Human life is too precious 10 al
low the hand of greed to snuff it out
Dy a se,ies OF accidents surely pre-.
yentable with anything like propeF
preeaution.
If -even the consideration of gain
be allowed 10 enter into discussion
of the case, society must give sns
lenance 10 those widowed wives and
mothers--those little ones must be
fed and clothed and given an opporlu
nifty TO meet lifes responsibilities.
The many thousands OF widows and
iorpnans deprived of their protectors
and left to face the issues OF life
without resource belittles any pre-
tence that to protect life in the mines
entails q cost that can not be made
without closing them. If that be true
close them. Such appalling disasters
as have been recorded since 1907 in
the great mines of several nations
ought TO teach the citizenship oil
each enlightened country that II az
an unit is to bear the cost--that the
operators only contribute small
portion of the tHbes necessary 10 pro
, teet and feed the helpless made de
pendent because humankind has moi
, sufficiently clothed the law pertain
iag 10 mining strong enough 10 in
sure reasonable protection of life tC
| whose delyes therein fof sustenance
u Oklahoma has furnished her quote
10 the disasters Of the past few years
Still there is not a mining situation
!, III this state whe.e any ordinary acci
!, dent should even endanger life. Th'
! mines are comparatively shallow, th'
! stratas betwixt the deposits worked
and the earth's surface of such ma
!, ture that innumerable outlets and IN
! let's can be made with comparativel,
;. little expense, while air shafts ant
!. modern systems OF combating th'
i death gasses can be easily completed
: IN every single mine of this state.
- With these conditions prevailing
;. and with prices sfor output h'gl
enough TO allow considerable protec
lion via improvement of conditions
- there are al this very hour and mo
\ ment many women, who have larg'
= oroods dependent upon their effort
- for support, bending over washtubs fl
~ an honest and praisewogthy effort Il
:, find bread for those who were dc
Il prired OF their pa.ernal breadwin
:, ner through mine disasters that man
y OF us think due wholly TO stingy
y greedy sentiment which played dol
. lars against the protection of thei
:. servants.
: Because Of the disasters and tn
2, woe that follows each Of them be
- cause the moderns demand an indus
=, trial condition that not only afford
" sustenance but gives 10 all an oppoi
:. unity to live and have protection
" there should be a mighty protes
:, from all classes for better protet
= lion 10 the miners Of this Republic
= L can not be made a partisan ISSUE
= I, must come from honest Christia
: men and women who love right an
believe in the mercy Of Almighty Cox
Il must come from the pulpit, tn
y press, the counting room and froi
= inc farm and that mighty wave, one
y started. will override all opposito
: aid terrify whomsoeyer dare oppos
! H. IT should be earnest. courageou
= aud aggressive 1t must smite tn
: hand Of hypocrisy and strike hard Q
y the power OF lust II Will be crl
sade for justice and life-it can ne
y fail If so started. because ii will
= armored with the power OF righteous
~ ness and be a messenger for the be
y ierment of humankind. Let's start
'e here in Oklahoma where sunshn
y and health bid all men be fair one
- ihe other. rrl3 -