United labor bulletin., 1911-12-07
OPERATORS DEMAND
STATE TROOPS
Soldiers Refused by Governor
Operators Denounce Chief
Executive.

Mountain Fuel company and the subsid-
ary corporations that go to make up the
coal trust have done everything in their
power to induce the governor to send
state troops into the northern coal fields.
They have used influential pulls" they
have argued, they have used the public
press, and, lastly, they have resorted to
abuse through public print to inouce the
governor to send the soldiers to drive
out the union miners, but he will not.
The, governor has sent a representa-
tive of the military to the fields to re-
port as to the necessity for soldiers, but
this report will recommend, it is be-
lieved, that the National Guard is not
necessary, as the district is very quiet,
except for the disturbances caused by
the hired gunmen of the operators.
In long statement in the public press
the operators have sought to villify the
governor for his act in not sending the
troops. 1t is signed by President Shum-
way of the Rocky Mountain Fuel Co..
and is bitter in its denunciation. But
this has been of no avail.
President Frank Smith of District No
Is, U. NJ w. of A., and other officers of
the organization, have been in the field
steadily the last week preserving order
to see that no overt act is committed
by anyone-that might be construed as
making the presence of the soldiers nee
essary
The coal trust companies have drawn
up the following resolutions and have
had them printed in circular form:
Resolutions of Disrespect.
Whereas, The Rocky Mountain
Fuel company by its president, Mr.
E. E. Shumway, has in a communi-
cation to his excellency, the Honor
able John F. Shafroth, governor of
Colorado, dated December 3, 1911,
and published December 4, 1911, in
the daily press, explained in detail
the facts relative to the operations
of the mines of this company in the
Northern Colorado coal fields, and
has outlined the status of this COM
pany regarding the the alleged
strike in the Northern Colorado coal
fields; and
Governor Encourages Lawbreakins.
Whereas, The men in the employ
of the operators in said field, to-
gether with their families, are not
permitted the right of American cit
liens to leave their homes and hab-
itations in said Northern Colorado
coal fields, for the purpose of pur-
chasing supplies at the local stores,
going to and from the United States
postoffice, going to and from the
railroad stations, churches and
|
| daily life of the community; which
denial is acquiesced in, encouraged
| and kept up by the local officials in
| the towns in the Northern Colorado
| coal fields, together with the Off
cials OF the county of Boulder, es-
| pecially the sheriff and his deputies
! of said county at Boulder, and the
| governor of the state of Colorado;
| therefore, be it
| All Officers of Law Condemned.
Resolved, That we, the operators
of the Northern Colorado coal fields,
! hereby condemn the action of the
municipal, county and state officials,
| heretofore mentioned, in encourag
| ing the lawlessness which has pre-
| vailed in the Northern Colorado coal
fields since March 81, 1910, and de
mand of every official, whose sworn
| duty it is, that he protect the right
of every citizen to go wheresoever
| he may desire on the streets and
along the public highways, while en-
gagged in his lawful business and
further, that he protect the wives
| of our employees from indecent as
saults and annoyances; and also the
| children of our employees, who are
not allowed now the usual facilities
of our public schools without as
| sault, discrimination and derision;
and be it further
Operators Will Provide Gunmen.
Resolved, That we, the operators
of the Northern Colorado Goa
fields, have fought what we believe
to be an unjust strike since March
i 81, 1910, and now wish again to as
sure our employees and their fam
| lilies, regardless of whether or not
the municipal officers, the sheriff oil
Boulder county or the governor OF
the state of Colorado fail, neglect
or refuse to protect you in the exer
else of your rights to work where
when and for whom you may desire
that we will provide you with ade
| quate, full and complete protection;
and be it further
Declare for "Open Shop"
Resolved, That it is the unalter
| able purpose of the undersigned op
orators not to enter into a contract
with the United Mine Workers oi
| America, or any other union of coa
miners; that all of the mines in the
Northern Colorado fields will here
after be operated exclusively on the
| open shop" policy, just as the
mines are now being operated in
the Southern field; and be it furth her
Thank Strikebreakers for Obedience.
Resolved, That we, the Northern
Colorado coal fields, desire to thank
our present employees for their 10y
atty and full obeyance of the law as
| true American citizens. without
which no just cause can succeed
and we wish again to assure you oi
our true and loyal protection; be il
further
| Send Resolutions to Governor.
1 Thot 80