Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-12-16
COLORADO STRIKE COST
LY TO ALL CONCERNED

/ DENVER. Dec. lin duration
sacrifice of life. property, and in
monetary loss to the state, miners
union, the coal operators, the min
ers, railroads and private industries,
the Colorado coal strike which was
virtually ended by the action of the
convention OF District Fifteen, Unit
ed Mine Workers OF America last
night, has been one OF the greatest
in the history OF American mining.
The strike in the northern coal
helds. Of which the statewide strike
is continuation, was called on APP
ril 4, 1911. The statewide strike
was called on Sept %, 1918. and vir-
tually paralyzed the industry OF Col
orado. threw the commonwealth in
to turmoil and finally led to the cali
ing out OF the state militia and the
| Importation of federal troops. sue.
cessively, into the strike territory to
preserve order.
The toll OF approximately eighteen
millions OF dollars expended during
the strike is shared by miners, oper-
ators, the union, railroads, state and
federal governments as well as pri-
officials more than 100000 has been
paid in strike benefits alone. Loss of
wages to miners is estimated at over
$6,0O0000
The strike has been characterized
by an unusually large number of acts
OF violence and at least sixtytSix
persons are known to have been kill
ed and about fifty injured as a re-
suit Of disorders incident to the la
Dor war.
The battle between striking min
ers, mine guards and militiamen at
Ludlow on April 20, which ended in
the destruction OF the tent colony.
was responsible for the death of II
children and two women. whose
bodies were found in a pit in the
ruins OF the site Subsequent war
fare which included attacks upon va
rious mining camps in Las Animas.
Huerfano. Fremont and Boulder
counties marked the elimination OF
strike outbreaks. The arrival OF fed
eral troops on April 80. 1914. re-
stored peace.
State troops were sent into the
strike zone October g. 1914. when
local authorities declared they were
unable to preserve order. With the
exception OF one company stationed
at Ludlow and another at Walsen-
burg. the state troops were with
drawn on April Is. OF the year fol
lowing. The next week, however.
they were returned, remaining until
the arrival of the federal troops.
~
ants are involved in civil and Grim
inal suits on the dockets OF federal
state and district courts. as result
of strike disorders. Twenty-seven
official and individual inquiries into
the cause OF the strike were
made with varying conclusions. The
inquiry by a subcommittee of the
committee on mines and mining of
the house OF representatives, con-
Quoted in February. and the inves
LEGATIONS OF the Federal Commits
sion on Industrial Relations now in
progress in Denver. are among the
most Important Representatives OF
the department of commerce and la
Dor. committee of the state legis
lature. various social. political. labor.
have at different times issued reports
concerning the situation.
A special session of the state leg
islaturc was called in Nav last, to
consider the strike. particularly to
provide funds for mcetin0 expenses
incurred by the state troops on strike
duty. \ measure providing for the
issuance OF strike bonds in the sum
OF a million dollars, was passed
Some OF these bonds have been dis
posed OF.
The original demands of the strik-
crs included recognition OF the UNI
ion: a ten per cent advance in wag-
cs: an cight-hour day: miners to
choose their acknowledgment; pay
marrow and dead work; the right
to trade at stores other than those
of the company and a strict enforce
ment OF the state mining laws. The
demand for recognition OF the union
was recently waived in accordance
with a suggestion of President Will
son in a proposed three year truce.
which was accepted by the miners
but rejected by the operators. The
conduct of the strike during the past
10 months has been under the per-
sonal direction of Frank J. Hayes.
international icc-president of the
United Mine Workers of America.
John R. Lawson. international ex-
ccutivc board member and John Nc
Lehman. president of District Fiif-
teen of the miners union. J. F.
Wclborn. president of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company. ID. w.
Brown. president OF theRocky Noun
tain Fuel Company and J. {. Os-
good. chairman of the board OF di-
rcctors of the VictOr-Amcrica Com
pany have acted as representatives OF
the operators. These three compa-
mics produce more than eighty per
cent Of the Colorado coal output.
About twelve OF the smaller opcr-
ators. signed contracts with the I'M
ion.