Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-03-06

mend2tions Of the federal strike in
vestigation committee was foreshad
owed today by questions put to p. L
Doyle, secretary and treasurer of Dis
trict is, United Mine Workers oi
America. by Representative Suther
land of West Virginia. In the exami-
nation Of Doyle. Mr. Sutherland ques-
toned the witness closely on the sub
ject of arbitration, his questions in
dicating that he would urge the enact
ment OF a federal statute similar to
the Canadian dispute act, which in
cludes coal mining among the indus
tries in which controversies between
labor and capital must be submitted
to boards Of mediation.
The method is similar to that pro-
vided in the amended Erdman act for
the settlement Of disputes between
railroads and their employees.
It is Mr.. Sutherland's theory that
fuel is a public necessity second only
to transportation, and that the rights
Of the public should be protected
through the power Of the federal gov
ernment to regulate interstate com
merce. Under his plan the contro-
versy would be- submitted to board
Of mediation empowered to summon
witnesses under oath and whose find
ings would be binding on both parties
During the period Of arbitration, the
miners would be compelled to remain
at work. Thus the public would be
provided without interruption Mr..
Sutherland cited the Increased price
OF coal in Colorado last fall, and re-
cent coal famine in British Columbia.
as proving the right Of the public to
enforce a constant supply Of coal.
Mary G. q. Bradford, state superin-
tendent Of public instruction, told the
committee Of visit she made to the
Radiant camp Of the Victor-American
Fuel company. She said an armed
guard tried to bar her from the, place
but admitted her after she had told
her identity and explained that she
came to visit the schools.
James McCune, justice Of the peace
at Lafayette, testified about various
disorders in the northern Colorado
strike district. He read long list
Of mine guarda he said had been ar
rested ana iaea Hee the strike be-
tionaa
about poiltIcal conditions He said
he never had noticed any particular
activity on the part Of the northern
operators until last year. when So
cialist ticket was victorious in La
over the union labor candi-
dates. The witness thought the coal
operators supported the socialists,
]. p. Cassidy. marshal at Lafayette, I
testified that he was among the men
convicted Of contempt Of court by |
Judge Greeley w. Whitford. He says
ie was brought to Denver II times
before he finally was sent to jail.
Lee Tanquary, former state senas
or, testified on political conditions in
Iuerfano county, in which he former
" lived. He declared that II was
he custom to have interpreters mark
,allots for foreign voters.
In one instance a. interpreter
ried to take ballot away from my
wife and mark It for her, he said.
James Dalrymple, state coal mine
who was one Of the first
Witnesses at the opening Of the strike
was called to produce
ecords regarding the Royal Gorge
nine in Fremont county. operated by
D. q. Belts. The witness quoted fig
res intended to disproye the testi-
nony Of Belts that the average pro
luction per man was less under union
han under non-union conditions.
Doyle's testimony was resumed at
be opening Of the days session be-
ore the congressional Investigation
hearing testimony on the
coal strike. The witness was
uestioned concerning the purchase
+ arms. He said there was no record
/ money spent for guns, but admitted
hat he bad given money to men who /
came to me and said they needed t
for their homes Fl
J. v. Hickman. attorney for the {
orthefn operators, tried to get the
illness to admit that strikebreakers
Iere not permitted to go into the !
own Of Lafayette to trade or get their
iail Il