The Delta independent., 1913-10-24

weighman of their own selection at any time. and
the statute compcls II.
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 an.
swer is simply that the men not and never have
been denied these rights and those exactly as
they please In this regard are given the consd-
Grafton by the mine owners other employees.
Better working conditions In the mines are de-
manded. This is indefinite and all-nclusiye de-
mand Conditions are recognized in this state far
better than most OF the states OF the Union But the
mine owners themselves. less than miners Join
in the hope that still better conditions may come as
time progresses. Coal mining is universally recog.
nized hazardous and dangerous business-haz-
ardous for the mine owner and dangerous for the
miner But the owner OF coal property is neither n
brute a fool He will knowingly subject his
property to destruction his unnecessary
danger. Selfish interests alone dictate a contrary
policy Aside from this. the Legislature of the state
recently passed what has been characterized the
most advanced and stringent law any state in the
Union regulating the conduct OF coal mines. be
ing vigorously enforced by the state authorities with
the cooperation OF the coal miners; and 1t Will be
well to await the enforcement this CIV
ing too much heed to careless criticism existing
operating methods affecting the welfare the
and employers alike.
The further demand is made by the leaders OF this
strike that the employment armed guards by the
mine owners be discontinued. The OF vaua.
BILE properties reasonably be expected to com
ply with the demand. To remove such protection in
the presence OF an excited body of striking men.
would obviously invite Wholesale disaster and destruc
tion of property Not only but to subject the men
who at work in the mines to the danger of physi
cal violence the hands strikers would be posi-
lively inhuman These men ask. expect and are en-
titled to protection.
The mine owners have been forced employ these
guards it is not of their choosing The necessity
it is being demonstrated daily. Their right to do so
Is not denied and they Will continue to protect their
mines and their workmen. II the striking miners will
keep away from the property OF they need fear
no molestaton If they insist upon trespassng upon
private ground they must expect to be halted Com.
pany guards will remain upon company ground ex.
cept when compelled to go elsewhere on lawful bust
ness Men who have left the companies employ have
right there.
When the leaders OF this strike unsolicited to
colorado quiet prevailed. Business conditions
bright. Today armed violence prevails In many coun.
ties Financial depression is imminent Since the
inauguration Of the strike men have been killed:
property has been destroyed; the lives of who
are desirous of working in the mines being daily
threatened; mine buildings are being fired upon:
the strikers have resorted to the of dynamite;
passenger trains carrying mails have been stopped
and searched by the Strikers the occupants stages
have been dragged therefrom, kidnapped and taken
to strike headquarters And 1t will be observed that
there is no instance where guard or other employe
OF any coal company has been charged by the peace
officers with assault other crime or misdemeanor
The owners of coal mines in this state have no
right to insist that their continue at work II
they desire to quit But they have right to demand
that property be destroyed by those who do oui,
work. and that intimidation and coercion those
who desire to continue at work forthwith cease II
is high time that the right of every American citizen
and others. go unmolested where they please and
to work when, where and for whom they please he
guaranteed to them in fact as well as in theory