Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-12-18
SAYS HE WILL INVESTIGATE
WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE
OFFICERS ARE EXCEED
ING AUTHORITY
WILL UPHOLD The LAW
DECLARES THAT HAS BEEN HIS
POLICY IN THE PAST AND
WILL CONTINUE

| Denver, Dec. 1S.-Delegates to the
state labor convention in session
here, to the number Of several hun
dred, started at 10:30 o'clock this
morning to march on the state capi-
tol to present to Governor E. M. Am
mons their demands for the abolition
Of the military commission in the
Colorado strike zone and for the dis
missal of certain militia officers OBJ
iectionable to the labor element. The
parade passed through the principal
business section of the city.
Upon reaching the capitol, the labor
delegates filed into the senate cham
Der, which had been set aside for
their reception. Governor Ammons
and other state officers then entered
the chamber to hear the complaints
and demands of the convention. The
meeting lasted until nearly o'clock
in his address TO the delegates after
the formal presentation of their de
mands, Governor Ammons declared
that he had steadfastly maintained
policy of enforcing the laws, and that
he would continue to do SO. He did
not agree to withdraw the state
troops from the strike zone. to abolish
fthe military eomnis NON ii5 t5 dis
miss Adjutant General Chase. Major.
Townsend and Judge Advocate Bough-
ton, against whom charges had been
made by the labor delegates. He
agreed, however, to make a personal
investigation Of all charges and ask
ed the labor convention to appoint a
committee to- assist in this. The gov
ernor declared that there was no in
tention on the part of the state au-
thorities to try prisoners before a
military court, and that all prisoners
held by order of the military com
mission would be turned over to the
civil authorities at the earliest pos
sible date. He declined, however, to
state specifically when the prisoners
would be turned over
When the meeting was called to-
order, President John McLennan Of
the Colorado State Federation of La
Dor, called upon Eli Gross, chairman
OF the policy committee, to state the
demands Of the labor delegates. Gross
said that the resolutions adopted by
the convention last night embodied
all the demands and complaints Of
the labor men and. THERE was no Oc-
casion to enlarge upon them.
John r. Lawson Of the United Mine
workers of America, said all the con-
venti0n wanted to know was the at
titude OF the governor with regard to
the m8litaFysin the strike zone. Gov
ernor Ammons then took the floor.
He began by saying that he had re-
ceived many complaints regarding the
conduct Of the militia from various
sources and that an were being in
vestigated
"My policy today. as it was and viii
be in the future" he continued. ais
to enforce the laws. If had any
other policy | should resign or be-
made to do SO. don't say that I
have not made mistakes. ! tried to
prevent the strike in every honorable
way. followed all suggestions that
might bring about settlement.
Things were so bad there was only
one thing for me to do. and that was
to send the troops. | went farther
than the law gave me power in keep
ing strikebreakers from being import
ed.
sWhen I failed to settle the strike
the only thing to do was to send the
troops, protect the credit Of the state
and enforce the law
II am not out for office and win
never run again. but I am going to do
my duty to the fullest extent, regard
less or what happens to me IN the
future
! IN the midst Of The governors ad