Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-10-24

Much is made of the alleged denial of the obvious
right of the miners to trade with whom and where they
please and to board where they will. The answeris
simply the not and never have been denied
rights and those who do exactly they please in
this regard given the same consideration by the
mine other employees.
Better working conditions in the mines are demand
ed This is indefinite and all-incusive demand
Conditions in this state recognized far better than
in most states of the Union. But the mine
themselves, less than the miners, join in the hope
still better conditions may time progresses
Coal mining is universally recognized as hazardous
and dangerous business-hazardous for the mine
and dangerous for the miner. But the owner of coal
property is neither a brute fool. He will not
knowingly subject his property to destruction his
to unnecessary danger Selfish interests alone die
contrary policy. Aside from this the legislature
of the recently passed what has been characterized
the advanced and stringent law of any state in
the Union regulating the conduct of coal mines. 1t is
being vigorously enforced by the state authorities, with
the cooperation of the mine and it will be well
await the effect of the enforcement of this law before
giving much heed to careless criticism of existing
operating methods affecting the welfare of the miners
and the employers alike.
The further demand is made by the leaders of this
strike that the employment of armed guards by the
mine be discontinued. The of valuable
properties cannot reasonably be expected to comply
with this demand To remove such protection, in the
presence of excited body of striking would oh
viousy invite wholesale disaster and destruction of
property. Not only so but to subject the men who
work in the mines the danger of physical violence
at the hands of the strikers would be positively nhu-
These ask, expect and entitled to pro-
lection.
The mine owners have been forced to employ these
guards it is of their choosing The necessity for it
is being daily. Their right do is
denied and they will continue to protect their mines and
their workmen If the striking miners will keep awav
from the property of Others they need fear
ton. If they insist upon trespassng upon pTivse
ground they must expect to be halted their
Company guards will remain upon company ground.
cept when compelled to 60 elsewhere lawful bus
ness Men who have left the companies employment
have right there.
When the leaders of this strike unsolicited to
Colorado, quiet prevailed. Business conditions
bright. Today armed violence prevails in many
ties Financial depression is imminent. Since the in
auguation of the strike have been killed. property
has been destroyed; the lives of who
desirous of working in the mines being daily
threatened; mine buildings being fired upon; the
strikers have resorted the of dynamite passenger
trains carrying mails have been stopped and searched
by the strikers the of stages have been drag
ged tierefrom, kidnapped and taken strike head
quarters And it will be observed that there in
where guard other enploye Of any coal
pany has been charged by the peace officers with assault
other crime misdemeanor.
The of coal mines in this state have no right
to insist that their continue work if they desire
to quit But they have right to demand that prop
ery be destroyed by those who do quit work. and that
intimidation and coercion of those who desire to
tinue at work forthwith is high time that the
right of every American citizen and others, go
moested where they please and to labor when, where
and for whom they please be guaranteed in fact well
as in theory.