Semi-weekly herald., 1913-11-20

News and Denver Times assembled in
Denver to learn the whole truth re-
garding the coal strike and report to
the residents of Colorado the result
Of their findings. The article is well
worth reading by every man inter-
ested in wage earners and by every
person who desires to know the true
state Of affairs regarding the indus
trial conflict:
On behalf Of the general public the
editors of Colorado newspapers met
in conference at the Brown Palace
hotel yesterday to hear arguments
and statements of those directly con-
nected with the strike in Colorado
coal mines.
After nearly the entire day had
been spent in listening to the state
ments of representatives Of the coal
miners, the United Mine Workers Of
America, the coal operators and Gov
ernor f. NJ. Ammons, statement
was adopted in which certain recon-
mendations were made for a general
policy to be pursued by the press of
the state toward the strike.
The statements presented were
carefully weighed and considered
from every standpoint with the view
of assisting in terminating the indus
trial conflict in accordance with the
laws of Colorado, enacted to regulate
the coal mining industry.
The editors came to Denver at the
invitation of John C. Shaffer, editor
of The Rocky Mountain News and
The Denver Times. The purpose was
to learn the truth and the whole truth
regarding the strike and to inform
the people of the state of the truth.
The statement, adopted as result
of the conference, is as follows:
To the people of the Press of Colo
rado, to the coal mine owners, and to
the coal miners of the state:
For the past two months strike
has existed in the coal mining indus
try of Colorado. AS direct result
of this strike human lives have been
sacrificed, many thousands of labor
ing men thrown out of employment,
property destroyed, business condi-
tions have become depressed, the
price of coal has been advanced, the
reputation and credit of the state at
home and abroad is being impaired,
and the public at large is being made
to suffer beyond accurate calculation.
These Unfortunate conditions are not
in harmony with the peace, prosperity
and general welfare that is supposed
to be guaranteed to all len and to
all institutions alike under the con-
stitution of this state and of the
United States.
Purpose of Meeting.
For the purpose, therefore, of try
ing to arrive at a method OF assist
ing in terminating this industrial
conflict between the miners and mine
owners in manner which will be in
accordance with the laws of Colorado
enacted to regulate the coal mining
industry, the newspapers of Colorado
represented, acting on behalf of the
general public, have met in Denver
and after hearing the arguments and
statements of representatives of the
coal mine owners, of the coal miners
and Of the United Mine Workers of
America, and statement from the
governor of this state, and having
given extensive consideration 10 each
and every one of these statements,
and having weighed their effect full
ly and carefully, the newspapers rep
rested have agreed upon general
and united policy of action, to be
recommended to the press of Colo
rado, with reference to the termin.
alton of this strike. based upon the
authority of the existing state laws.
Demands of Miners.
Before stating our conclusions, we
desire first to state the cause of the
strike, viz: the demands made by the
miners upon the coal mine owners of
Colorado, which are as follows:
The demands of the miners:
First: We demand recognition of
the union.
Second: We demand 10 per cent
advance in wages on the tonnage
rates and the following day wage
scale, which is practically in accord
ance with the Wyoming day wage
scale.
Third: We demand an eight-hour
day for all classes of labor in or
around the coal miners and at coke
ovens.
Fourth: We demand pay for all
narrow work and dead work, which
includes brushing, timbering, remov-
ing falls, handling impurities, etc,
Fifth: We demand check weigh
men at all mines, to be elected by the
miners without any interference by
company officials in said election.
Sixth: We demand the right to