The Holly chieftain., 1913-10-24

Much is made of the alleged denial of the obvious
right of the miners trade with whom where they
please, and to board where they will The answer is
simply that the men and have been denied
these rights and those who do exactly they please in
this regard given the consideration by the
IS other employees.
Better working conditions in the mines are demanded
This is an indefinite and all-inclusive demand Cond
tons in this state recognized far better than in
states Of the Union. But the mine them
selves less than the miners join in the hope that still
better conditions may time progresses. Coal
mining universally recognized hazardous and dan
kerous business-hazardOus for the mine dam
gerous for the miner But the of a coal property
is neither brute nor fool. He will knowingly
subject his destruction his
danger. Selfish interests alone dictate contrary
policy. Aside from this the legislature of the state
Gently passed what has been characterized the most
advanced and stringent law of any state in the Union
regulating the conduct OF coal mines 1t is being vsor-
ousy enforced by the state authorities, with the
operation of the mine owners and it will be well to
await the effect of the enforcement of this law before
giving much heed careless criticism 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 prop
critics reasonably be expected comply with this
demand To such protection, in the presence
excited body Of striking men, would obviously invite
wholesale disaster and destruction of property Not
only but subject the who work in the
mines to the danger of physical violence the hands
the strikers would be positively nhuman. These
ask, expect and are entitled to protection
The mine have been forced to employ these
guards of their choosing The necessity for it
is demonstrated daily to do is
denied and they will continue protect their mines and
their workmen If the striking miners will keep
away from the property of others they need no
molestaon If they insist upon trespassns upon private
ground they must expect to be halted their way.
Company guards will remain company ground,
cept when compelled 90 elsewhere lawful business
Men who have left the companies employment have
reh: there
When the leaders of this strike came unsolicited to
Colorado, quiet prevailed. Business conditions were
bright Today armed violence prevails many
Financial depression is imminent Since the
of the strike have been killed. property has been
destroyed; the lives of who desrous working
in the mines being daily threatened; mine buildings
being fired the strikers have resorted the
OF dynamite passenger trains carrying mails have been
stopped and searched by the strikers; the occupants of
have been dragged theefrom kidnapped taken
to strike headquarters And it will be observed that
there IS instance where guard other employe oil
any coal company has been charged by the peace officers
with assault other crime O misdemeanor.
The of coal mines in this have right to
insist that their continue work if they desire
quit But they have right demand that property
be destroyed by those who do quit work. that ntim
idaton and coercion of those who desire continue
work forthwith 1t is high time that the right of
American citizen, und Others to 60 unmolested
where they please and labor when where and for
whom they please be guaranteed in fact well theory