Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-02
He TRIED 10 AVON TROUBLE
WHEN WALKoUT OCCURRED HE
WAS ASKED TO CALL OUT
THE MILITIA
RECOGNITION WAS IN WAY
HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THIS DE
MAND, RLooDsHED WOULD
HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

Denver, Dec, 2In December, 1912,
John R. Lawson Of the United Mine
Workers of America notified q. M.
Ammons, then governor elect that a
coal miners strike probably would be
called during his administration, the
governor testified today before the
United States industrial relations
commission.
The governor told Of the enactment
of new mining laws about two years
ago which he understood were salts
isfactory to operators and miners, and
hoped would be useful iii heading off
a strike. He told Of numerous con
ferences with operators and union Of
ficials and of repeated efforts to ad-
just differences. Replying to a ques-
tion by Chairman Frank P. Walsh the
governor stated that these efforts con-
tinued long after The miners conyen-
ton at Trinidad had called a strike"
Governor Ammons recounted the
early history Of the strike and the
sending Of the state militia to south
ern Colorado, 80 dRyH after the miners
walked out.
'eThe law1essness began almost i'm
mediately," said the governor Il was
urged to call out the troops right
away Before the troops were called
out the county authorities in Las
Animas county had asked for then"
Reverting to the futile efforts for
peace Governor Ammons said:
There never was any question 10
nv mind that the srrflxe could have
been settled but for the demand for
recognition Of the union.
Governor Ammons said that at the
beginning of the strike he told leaders
or both sides that tne only thing he
could do was to assume an impartial
attitude and enforce the laws.
when you took the attitude Of en-
forcing all the laws, did It extend to
affording protection to the mine oper-
ators in bringing in men TO take the
strikers places? he was asked.
ut did; but there we're very few
men brought in
Governor Ammons then was ques-
toned regarding disagreements be-
tween the various state departments
on the subject of the strike. He ac.
cused State Treasurer Roady Kenei
han and Deputy Labor Commissioner |
81 v. Brake Of acting in opposition to I
his policies.
Il have no more control over the
labor department Of this state than
have over the labor department of
the city Of New York. he added.
Concluding his testimony, The COVER
nor urged the enactment Of a media
tion law by congress.
Il do not see why industrial dis
putes could not be settled in the courts |
as anv other cases" he said. Until
this Is accomplished it is a case Of IN
timidation"
The governor said injury has been
done the state by unfair and mac
curate published accounts Of the
strike disorders.
osoood Takes Stand
j S. Osgood, chairman Of the board
a. the victor American fuel company,
took the stand before Covernor-elect
George A Carlson was called. He de-
MED that there was an organization
Of Colorado mine operators before me
calling Of the strike. At the time the
strike was called, he said an execu-
tive committee, as tentative organi-
zation. was formed, consisting Of MI.
osgood. T. r. weliborn, president Of
the Colorado Fuel and Iron company.
and b. W. Brown, president Of the
Rocky Mountain T'uel company, 70
take the lead in dealing with the pub
lic and attending to any matters that