The Monte Vista journal., 1913-10-25

Much is made of the alleged denial Of the obvious
right of the miners to trade with whom and where
they please and to board where they will The answer
is simply that the not and never have been
denied these rights and those who do exactly they
please IN this regard are given the consideration
by the mine owners other employees.
Better working conditions in the mines are demand
ed This ls an indefinite and all-incluslve demand
Conditions in this state recognized far better
than in most of the states of the Union But the mine
owners themselves no less than the miners join the
hope that still better conditions may time pro-
crosses. Coal mining is universally recognized
hazardous and dangerous busness-hazardous for the
mine owner and dangerous for the miner. But the ,
owner of coal property is neither brute a fool
He will not knowingly subject his property to destruc
ton nor his men to unnecessary danger Selfish inter-
ests alone dictate contrary policy Aside from this
the legislature of the state recently passed what has
been characterized the most advanced and stringent
law OF state in the Union regulating the conduct OF
coal mines. 1t being vigorously enforced by the
state authorities with the operation of the mine
owners; and it will be well to await the effect of the
enforcement OF this law before giving too much heed
to careless criticism OF existing operating methods
affecting the welfare Of the miners and the employers
alike
The further demand is made by the leaders Of this
strike that the employment OF armed guards by the
properties cannot reasonably be expected to comply
with this demand. To such protection in the
presence Of excited body OF striking men, would
obviously invite wholesale disaster and destruction of
property. Not only so, but to subject the who
are at work in the mines to the danger Of physical
violence at the hands OF the strikers would be posi-
lively inhuman. These men ask expect and
titled to protection.
The mine have been forced to employ these
guars it is not of their choosing The necessity it
is being demonstrated daily. Their right to do so is
not denied and they will continue to protect their
mines and their workmen. If the striking miners will
keep from the property OF Others they need fear
molestation. II they insist upon trespassng upon
private ground they must expect to be halted their
way. Company guards will remain upon company
ground except when compelled to go elsewhere law
ful business. Men who have left the companies
ployment have no right there.
When the leaders OF this strike came unsolicited to
Colorado quiet prevailed. Business conditions
bright. Today armed violence prevails in many coun-
ties. Financial depression is imminent. Since the in
auguraton OF the strike, have been killed. prop
erty has been destroyed; the lives OF men who are
desirous Of working in the mines being daily
threatened; mine buildings are being fired upon the
strikers have resorted to the Of dynamite passen
ger trains mails have been stopped and searched
by the strikers; the occupants OF stages have been
dragged therefrom, kidnapped and taken to strike
headquarters And it will be observed that there is
instance where guard other employe OF any coal
company has been charged by the peace officers with
assault other crime misdemeanor.
The owners OF coal mines in this state have right
to insist that their continue at work IL they desire
to quit. But they have right to demand that no
property be destroyed by those who do quit work. and
that intimidation and coercion Of those who desire to
continue work forthwith 1t is high time that
the right OF every American citizen and Others to
unmoested where they please and to labor when whore
and for whom they please be guaranteed in fact well
in theory.