The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-10-23
A Statement of the
Coal Strike Situation

Prior to the calling of the present coal strike,
substantial differences existed between the mire
owners and their wOrkmen. only a small minority
of the miners members Of any union. The
United Mine Workers of America claimed mem.
bership in that organization May 81, 1913, in the
states of Colorado Utah and New Mexico of only
2,O4s. out of total of 5000 employed Ap-
proximatey 1000 of these members were enrolled
from the northern part of Colorado. where strike
had been in progress for many months; and LOCO
from points elsewhere in this state and in Utah and
New Mexico.
Some weeks ago of the officials of the United
Mine Workers came to this state, and announced
publicly and privately that it his purpose to
bring about the recognition of his organization by
the owners OF all coal mines-that is, it his
purpose and that of his union to compel the operators
sign form of contract which, among other things
requires and permits the employment of union
only in and about coal mines.
Because of this and many other stipuatons in this
so-caed contract, which is impossible of inforce-
ment against the union a voluntary, irresponsible
and unincorporated association and because of the
fact the few OF the men working in the mines
members of this organization. and were making no
demands, the operetors declined to negotiate upon
the subject
Thereupon the union official mentioned announced
that although fully empowered so to do, he would
not call a strike to enforce his demands but would
refere the matter to convention of representatives
selected by the miners in all the coal camps of the
state A convention called. 1t met in Trinidad.
Two hundred and fifty so-callcd delegates
present. One hundred were strckng and idle miners
from northern Colorado; so thereabouts Off
paid employees of the union. The rest were
selected by those in charge of this convention, and in
no sense represented the actually at work in
the mines. In few if any instances were delegates
selected by the men actually employed in the coal
camps. This CONVENTION oted to call a strike.
and it accordingly called for the 23d inst. At
that time approximately so per cent of the
gagged in and about the coal mines laid down their
tools
The real. and at first the frankly avoided object
of the strike eaders-to compel the operators to
sign the union contract has now, for effect upon
the public been increased to include number of
new demands which properly appeal, with
force all righe-thiaking who not definitely
advised of the facts.
An advance of 10 per cent in wages is demanded.
This canot be conceded. The wages of the miners
were voluntarily advanced 10 per cent by the opera
tors in April 1912. and business conditions do not
Justify further advance at this time. The coal
miners of this state receive rs high higher.
pensaton for their work than those of any state in
the Union with the coal from which that mined IN
this state in competition In August last, the
miners employed at 46 OF the mines OF TINS state,
the records of which available. received
average wage Of $3 81 per day and they could have
worked, had they elected so to do 26 days during
the month at nearly every mine. The men them
selves have not complained in this regard. and it
has remained for union organizers from elsewhere
to discover here gri"vous wrong
A semi-monthly pay day. 81 eght-hour work day
and check weighman demanded by the leaders
Of the union precptating this strike. 1t is not gen.
orally known that the operators of this state heve
paid their men twice month for many months
An eight hour work day voluntarily put in force
in the mines some time before the statue of the
state required it, There is not mine owner in Colo
RADIO who will not permit his men to have check
weghmen of their selection at any time, and
the statute compels it.