Las Vegas optic., 1913-09-17
FORMAL DEMAND IS MADE
HOURS OF LABOR MUST BE RE-
DUcED TO EIGHT FOR
EACH DAY
WAGE INCREASE is ASKED
LARoRERs, ABOVE AND BELOW
GROUND, WANT 10 PER CENT
MORE PAY

Denver, Colo, Sept. 17-Efforts to
prevent the threatened strike of coal
miners in the southern Colorado fields
were continued today by state officers
and labor organizations, Edwin w
Brake. deputy state labor commissions
ers, said he had not yet received re-
plies to his suggestion, made yester-
day to the miners and operators, to
arbitrate their differences under the
state law. He declared that he would
require both parties, if they decline
the offer of arbitration, to send in
sworn statements giving their reasons
for refusal, as provided by the stat
ute
Jesse F. Welborn, president of the
Colorado Fuel and Iron company, in
timated that the offer Of mediation
would be rejected by his corporation.
Don't you see" he said, that we
cannot possibly arbitrate when our
own employees are satisfied and do not
want to striker?
At the district headquarters Of the
United Mine Workers of America it
was stated that the communication
from the state labor commissioner was
received too late to be acted upon in
the convention but that the policy
board of the organization probably
would advise to accept mediation and
call off the strike if ins its opinion this
was desirable. It was declared that
this policy board would consider the
Brake letter and announce a decision.
Adiutant General John Chase said
today that the public statement that
the Colorado National Guard had
been ordered to be in readiness for
service in the strike district was un-
founded The adjutant general sug-
gested that the report probably gain
ed circulation from the fact that or
ders had been issued to mobilize the
National Guard for infantry instruc-
ton.
Commissioner Brake estimated that
there are about $4,000 coal miners in
Colorado, Of whom about 5000 are in
Huerfano and Las Animas counties,
the region most directly concerned in
the threatened strike. OF these 5000
he thinks about half are miners of
the United Mine Workers. Officers
of the United Mine Workers estimate
about 5000 miners in southern Colo
rado, and declare that all but 16 per
cent are members Of the order.
The plan Of the miners organiza-
ton. according to it's officials, is 10
call out the men first in southern
Colorado, the strike to take effect
September 23. Later, if it is deemed
advisable, the strike may be extended
over the whole Of District Is, com
prising Colorado, New Mexico, and
Utah, they declare.
President Welborn said today:
THE Colorado Fuel and Iron com
pany will not raise prices Of coal on
account Of the strike"
He explained that prices this winter
will be governed by the usual condi-
tions, regardless of labor troubles
There is no danger Of a coal ia
mine in Colorado" he added. While
there may be some curtailment Of out
put, we shall look after our ColoradC
patrons first"
Mr.. Welborn said it was the inten
tion Of the company to keep the mines
in operation.
"A force Of men will remain with u
they have told us So" he declared
Our employees are well satisfied, ami
have expressed themselves to that ef
feet. They have said repeatedly tha
they did not want to engage in I
strike
He declared that the recent Trini
dad convention was made up largely