Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-02-11
John R, LAWSON Member of
United Mine Workers Ex-
ecutNe Committee, Proves
Most Interesting Witness,
C0NGRESSMEN HEAR
REMARKABLE RECITAL
Labor TribuIations in Southern
Coal Fields of State Are
Narrated With Readiness
and Picturesque Detail,

fuy woaNisa JOURNAL spgctN lrAaso NisHl
Denver Colo, Feb l0-The
dramatic story of the Colorado
coal strike, from the lips of one Of
Che most conspicuous leaders OF the
miners WAS unfuldcd late today before
Che congressional investigating COM
mitioe. Near the very end of the ses-
zion, after several hours of prelimi-
nary si,irmishng the strikers unlim-
hcred their heaviest artillery.
John n Lawson took the stand.
Then, for an hour committeeman, at
tlanoys and spectators followed with
almost hreathless interest the testi-
monN OF the Colorado member OF the
International executive board OF the
United Mine Workers of America.
STRIKES are hell We do not be-
liove In strikes unless they are abso-
lutely unavoidable. They iniure not
only the strikers and their wives and
ehn lren, not only the coal operators,
hut the public
Thus Lawson announced what no
declared 10 be the policy Of the United
Mine Workers IN labor disputes And
ho rccounted the minors version OF
the ten-year controversy IN Colorado.
AS be talked, his rich, distinct voice
only now AMI then trembling with
sudden passion, attorneys forgot 10
make their objections, the chairman
fefeot that the adjournment hour
had passed, and the spectators crowd
ed about the platform to listen lesse
~ Wellh0rn president &c the Colorado
puol & Iron company touched
shoulders with Adelph Germer, so
tialisi md labor leader, us both stood
before HE high reading desk busily
taking notes
10 waa q traRir recital which the la
bcr loader poured out a recital of
hiood and hate and misery He told
0f battles i'm which both sides shot 20
kiil. of state of warfare IN whlch
strikers and milltiamon braved hllz-
Yards I'm checrless camps
The labor leader toll the commit
Tee that he began working in coal
mines when q child OF eight years.
lie outlined. the methods hy whlcn.
0a be alleged the United Mine Work
cra called strikes. Then he entered
upon the history Of the coal mining
industry 10 Colorado, from the time
uf the strike of 1903. which was lost
by the miners
"ln chat strke.Y he declared, "thc
operators brought In guumen-thags,
who had been guilty of almost every
crime on the calendar 20 intimldate
tho miners They were successful.
Some OF the strikers were frightened
into going Fhncl to the mines. The
others were scattered 90 the four
winds Many were deported.
"To fill che place Of the strikers tho
companies brought In strlke-hreakers
ul soon these strikehreakers discov
cred that they had been put into
mines where conditions were untena-
lle Their comfort their very lives,
We're not taken into account Thus
q came about that ln course OF time
these very men appealed 20 our orr
.anIlatlun. They wanted 20 join the
union. to strike for their rights
eve took them into the union but
We advised them not To strike. We
Heali2e1 then they could not win
Lawson told of "a number of cases
u which. he said, the union had pre-
vented strikes In the meantime,
however the men began 20 Join the
lrdrr
"put on organizer took his life In
lls hands whom he went into the
amps he explained some organ
zcrs have been killed In southern
+uloradn."
Were any Of the murdercrs tried?"
Representative Byrnes
Yes they were tried hy hand
.ieked Iurios flashed back Lawson.
The operators picked tho iuries and
he sheriff Look here. I've seen an
english speaking man tried for muir
len. ana on the jury were eleven Mex
ans who could not speak English.
Then the witness told Of the calling
4 the strike OF 1918, h. which, he
/. .N aH h4 fatNF
walked out within & week fe told
y the cxodus OF miners from their
Iomcs To the tent colonies, provided
5 he union
THE opera lrs had am army Of from
00 to zoo gunmcn la Las Anlmus and
HcrtHno counties Doe said. They
ad wnnt was called The death special,
Fl lrmnrcd automobile IN which was
counted "a machine gun, and which
arrica % squad of private detectives
lnee talked with Sergeant Petten.
.ho told me that he was operating
IaD hiuo gun for the mine companies.
epn them operator Well, I've heard
aem We didn't buy any machine
ans we bought some rifles TO pro-
act tho lives and property of the min
rs."
Lawson then began his recital OF
1o various diHoflcfb IN the stflko
lne lle told Of a skirmigh az the
udloN tent colony, la which, he said,
@ one was hurt Next he described
be- battle az the Forbes tent colony
u October 2, in which ono man was
He'd ana two Wouudod.
There had becn some shooting In
le morning. aud about noon" he re-
lunted but in the afternoon every
fng was peaceful again. Then a
'owd of men suddenly appeared from
rnidad. some mounted, and some
ding I'm the death special They hal
No machine guns a man named
enncdy bearing "a white flag, came
thin the tent colony He said.
toys I'm a union man. Are you
BOD union men or seabsg' The men