United labor bulletin., 1913-08-09
Hayes Tells How
Miners Will Do 1t
Statement Issued by the
Official in Charge
Aggressive Campaign to Unionize
Southern Coal Field of Colorado
Now On, and Will Win


of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, who is now in Denver to captain
an organizing campaign of the coal
miners OF the state, gives out the fol
lowing statement through The Bulle-
tin:
For many years the coal miners of
southern Colorado have been contend
ing for the right to belong to the
United Mine Workers of America. In
this age of organization of both capi-
tai and labor it is right that cannot
long be denied.
More than 100000 mine workers
are members of the mine workers or
ganization. and it is matter of pride
to US that approximately 125,0O0 new
members have been added to our
ranks during the past year. The coal
operators of the country, at least the
great majority of them, realize that
our union is business institution and
that the trade movement which we
advocate is the best method yet de-
vised for the settlement of labor dis
putes. The great majority of the coal
operators of the country recognize
this fact and make contracts with our
organization. Wherever the trade
agreement is firmly established indus
trial peace and security to both en-
ployer and employe is attained. 1t is
the enlightened way, the sensible way,
TO promote an industry in which the
whole nation is vitality interested. 1t
is the way in which we desire to set
tie our present differences in Colora-
ID ha
bility will not be ours, but it shall rest
upon those who refuse to recognize
the rights and principles that are sa-
cred to every real American.
THE mine workers of Colorado pro
pose to be fair with their employers
and yet at the same time they want
their employers to be fair with them.
We believe we can fully demonstrate
the fairness and justice of our posi-
ton. and with that end in view We are
desirous OF meeting the coal operators
of Colorado in joint conference. We
want it clearly understood by both the
operators and the general public that
our purpose here is not to foment
strike, but to prevent it, if possible,
and to fairly adjust without further
uGldN l4AG AutSNAOAS mat Wv U.s.
The mine workers of southern Colo
rado have been appealing to us for the
past several years to call a strike to
redress their grievances, but so far
we have refused to endorse such 4
move on their part and have used all
the means at our command to per-
suade them 20 remain at work. hoping
that the operators would finally real.
ize that industrial strife could only
be prevented by intelligent joint ac
/ ton. In this we have so far beer
/ keenly disappointed and the time is
now here when some definite actiol
must be taken. We are fully pre-
pared to strike if that be the only al
tentative. but we hope for the 600,
of the industry, the mine workers, til,
operators and the general public tina
we will be able to settle this prob
lem by reason and not by conflict.
have every reason to believe that thi:
] will be done, and, moreover, l still
have faith that the operators of north
ern Colorado, with whom We have
been engaged in strike for the pas
forty months. will also meet with u:
in the near future and make a SINGER,
endeavor TO honorably adjudicate oul
present differences. 1t can be done
and there is no reason why we shoulC
not meet in friendly spirit, n:
broad-minded men measuring up K
the great responsibilities resting upor
us, and together work out a satisfac
tory solution of all our troubles. L
this result can be attained it goes
without saying that the coal mining
industry in Colorado will be in better
shape than ever before in its history
and thousands OF the best coal miners
in the land will take up their resi-
dence in this fair state. and do theil
full share in developing the great Goa
areas of this region.
"As the public is a vital factor in
this affair. we want the people to thor
oughly understand our position in the
matter, so they may be in position
to Judge as to the soundness and fair
ress of our contention"
trades lockout of Chicago has beer
brought to close. The story is that
the Employers Association and the