The Holly chieftain., 1913-10-24

Prior to the calling of the present coal strike sub
stantia differences existed between
their workmen. Only small minority of the miners
members Of any union. The United Mine Workers
Of America claimed a membership in that organization
May 81, 1913, in the states of Colorado, Utah and
New Mexico of only 2,O4S, of a total of % 900
employed. approximately 600 of these members
enrolled from the northern part of Colorado, where
strike has been in progress for months and 600
from points elsewhere in this state and in Utah and New
Mexico.
Some weeks ago one OF the officials of the United
Mine Workers this state, and announced pub.
cly and privately that it his to bring about
the recognition of his organization by the Of all
coal mines-that is, his and that OF his
union to compel the operators to sign form which.
among other things, requires and permits the employ
ment of union only in and about coal mines.
Because of this and many other spuations in this
called contract, which is impossible of enforcement
against the uniona voluntary, irresponsible and unn
corporaed assocation-and because Of the fact that few
Of the men working in the mines members OF this
orkanzaton and making demands the operators
declined to negotiate upon the subject.
Thereupon, the union official mentioned announced
that although fully empowered SO to do he would not
call strike enforce his demands but would refer the
convention OF representatives selected by the
miners in all the coal Of the state. convention
called. 1t met in Trinidad. Two hundred and fifty
called delegates present. One hundred were
striking and idle miners from northern Colorado so or
thereabouts officers paid employees Of the union
The selected by those in charge Of this
vention and in represented the actually at
work in the mines. In few, any, instances dele
Gates selected by the actually employed in he coal
camps. This CONVENTION voted to call strike,
and accordingly called for the 23rd inst At that
time approximately so per cent OF the engaged in
and about the coal mines laid down their tools.
The real and first the frankly avowed object of the
strike leaders-to compel operators sign the union
contrac-has now, for effect upon the public been in
creased to include number of new demands which
erly appeal, with force 10 all rieht-thnkins
who definitely advised Of the facts.
An advance of 10 per in WAGES is demanded This
cannot be conceded The WAGES of the miners vol
UNFAIRLY advanced 10 cent by the operators in April
1872 and business conditions do justify further ad-
vance this time. The coal miners Of this state
as high higher. compensation for their work than
those of state in the Union with the coal from which
that mined in this state comes in competition. In Au-
gust last the miners employed 46 Of the mines Of this
state, the records of which available received
average wage of 384 per day, and they could have
worked had they elected to do. 26 days during the
month nearly every mine The men themselves have
not complained in this regard, and it has remained for
union organizers from elsewhere to discover here a
erievous wron&
A semi-monthly pay day, eieht.hour work day and
a cheek weighman demanded by the leaders of the
union precpatins this strike. 1t is not generally known
that operators of this have paid their twice
a month for many months. An eight.hour work day
voluntarily put in force in the mines time before
the statute of the required it. There is not mine
owner in Colorado who will not permit his men to have
check weiehmsn Of their selection at any time,
and the statute compels it,