Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-12-04
STATE OWNERSHIP
MAY RESULT FROM
COLORADO STRIKE

Denver, Dec. 1.-Growing out of the
great coal strike in the Trinidad region
of Colorado, the state of Colorado may
undertake the operation of its own coal
mines.
State operation is being seriously con
sidered in Colorado. Not only is 1t
being discussed. but steps have beer
taken to enact the needed Legislation.
The initiative and referendum are in
force in this state. Already, a measure
has been initiated and it will be voted
on the coming year by the people.
Congressman Heating of Colorado
said today the movement for state OPP
GRAFTON of coal properties was spread
ing rapidly in his state. He believes
1T is spreading like wildfire," he
/. IT have little doubt that when
IL election is held next year, the
necessary money will be appropriated
n h necessary authority given SO
that the state can operate the magnlfi
cent Goa properties which it owns"
If this step is taken, 1t will be one
of the utmost ome in the industrial
history Of the United States. 1t needs
little imagination to see what a pro-
found effect it would have on the in
dustrialism of this country were Colo-
RADIO to undertake the operation of
mines and begin to have coal dug and
sold under it's supervision. h proceeds
going into the treasury of the state.
Public Is Aroused.
Congressman Heating believes. ond
there Is little question about the &C
curacy Of his statement, that the pres
ent trouble in the Trinidad region,
which has been going on for months,
Is stirring up the sentiment for public
operation Of the mines. He says that
this sentiment was strong before but
1T has been much strengthened by de-
velopments.
More than 10000 men are now out of
work in Colorado, growing out Of the
strike Of employees of the Colorado Fuel
miners are out. Besides, the strike is
having important Indirect effects. 1t is
estimated that 10000 men in other lines
are idle because Of the strike and the
consequent closing of mines in the
Trinidad region. Railroads depending
on the coal supply of this region nave
been crippled and the effects Of the
strike are felt in states as remote as
Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Power Of State.
AS a matter of fact, it is declared
that under the ruling Of the supreme
court of Colorado in the Meyer case
the state authorities in a situation like
the present n might step in and rur
the mines. 1t is known that this has
dClual!y Ueel COIlSlQ6TSu. oOIuc OIL Llt
more aggressive public men of the
state have advised that the governor
instead of using the national guard IL
the usual fashion in such controversies
as this, set the troops to work opera
ting the idle mines Of the Colorado
Fusl and Iron company, which Repre-
sentative Heating calls a Rockefeller
concern dominated by % Broadway
This course has not been taken, de
spite the fact state operation may
grow out of the strike troubles.
1.-THE state of Colorado owns abou
100000 acres of valuable coal lands.
said Congressman Heating. 1.-The fed.
eral government has about 800, 00i
acres within the borders of the state
1t seems perfectly absurd that Will
his coal lane in the public control tn,
people of Colorado and adjoinin.
states should be pinched for coal.
believe the idea of public operation o
the properties which the state owns j!
spreading rapidly"
Do Not Want Place.
Congressman Heating is still urgin;
the House to adopt his resolution 70
a congressional investigation of tn
Colorado strike. He has little hope o
getting anything done until the regu
lar session. Then he will AXE TIL
matter up with the House rules com
mittee. He believes the operators d
not want 10 make peace, but want Il
fight. He cited the fact that the oper
ators had agreed to meet a committe
Of men representing b men actual,
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