The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-10-25
Advertiser ent
A Statement Of the
Coal Strike Situation

the ob.ious right of the miners to tra,!e
with whom and where they please, and
to board where they will. The answer
is simply that the men are not an
never have been denied these rights
and those who do exactly as they please
in this regard are given the same con-
sideration by the mine owners as otheI
employees.
Better working conditions in the
mines are demanded. This is an III
definite and ail-inclusive demand. Con-
ditlons in this state are recognized as
far better than in most of the states of
the Union. But the mine owners them
selves, no less than the miners, join in
the hope that still better conditions
may come as time progresses. Coal
mining is universally recognized as a
hazardous and dangerous business
hazardous for the mine owner aud dan
gerous for the miner. But the owner
of coal property is neither brute nor
fool. He will not knowingly subject
his property TO destruction nor his men
to unnecessary danger. Selfish inter
ests alone dictate a contrary policy.
Aside from this, the legislature of the
state recently passed what bas been
characterized as the most advanced and
stringent law of any state in the Union
regulating the conduct of the coal
mines. 1t is being vigorously enforced
by the state authorities, with the CO.
operation of the mine owners; and it
will be we'll to await the effect of the
of this law before giving
too much heed to careless criticism of
operating methods affecting
the welfare of the miners and the en-
ployers alike
The further demand is made by the
leaders of this strike that the employ
nent of armed guards by the mine own
ers be discontinued. The owners of
properties cannot reasonably
be expected to comply with this de-
mand: To remove such protection, in
the presence Of an excited body of strik-
ing men. would obviously invite whole
sale disaster and destruction of prop
erty. Not only so. but to subjert the
men who are at work in the mines to
the danger of physical violence at the
hands of the strikers would be positive
ly inhuman These men ask, expect
and are entitled to protection.
The mine owners have been forced to
employ these guards: 1t is not of their
choosing. The necessity for it is being
demonstrated daily. Their right to do
SO is not denied and they will continue
to protect their mines and their work.
men. If the striking miners will keep
away from the property Of the others,
they need fear no molestation. If
they insist upon trespasing upon private
& round, they must expect to be halted
On their way. Company guards will re-
c,ain upon company ground, except
when compelled to go el.ewhere on
awful business. Men who have
left the companies employment have
10 right there.
When the leaders of this strike came
to Colorado, quiet prevailed
Business conditions were bright. To-
lay armed violence prevails in many
counties, Financial depression is i'm
ninent. Since the Inauguration of the
strike, mer have been killed. property
las been destroyed: the lives of men
who are desirous of wo rking in the
mines are being daily threatened; mine
buildings are being fired upon; the
trikers have resorted to the use of
dynamite; passenger trains carrying
nails have been stopped and searched
,y the soihers; the occupants of stages
rave been dragged therefrom, kidnapped
and taken to strike headquarters. And
t will be observed that there is no in
stance where a guard or other employe
If any coal company has been charged
by the peace officers with assault or
other crime or misdemeanor.
The owners Of coal mines in this state
rave no right to insist that their men
continue at work, if they desire to quit.
But they have right to demand that
10 property be destroyed by those who
10 quit work and that intimidation and
.oercion Of those who desire 10 continue
It work forthwith cease. 1t 10 high time
hat the right Of every American citi-
zen, and others, to 20 unmolested
where they please and to labor when,
where and for whom they please, be
in fact as well as in theory