University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1914-12-30
Our Industrial War

So great has been the interest in the
stupendous European contest and the
chameleon like changes in the per-
sonnel of the government of our neigh
bor on the south, that, except by those
Immediately concerned, but little at
tention has been given to the strife
that has been going on in our own bor-
ders.
It has been fifteen months since the
miners in Colorado struck rather than
longer submit to conditions, imposed on
them by the mine operators. Riots,
battles and murders followed the strike
declaration. The National Guard Of
the state was unable to establish or
der. This miniature Europe was only
held in check by policing the district
with Federal troops, who have been
on duty since last May.
Last August grand jury was Sc
lected to look into charges against
strike leaders, mine guards and coun-
ty officials. Six of the jurymen were
in businesses related to mining. The
remaining six had no business connec-
ton with either side, though friends
of the strikers claimed all favored the
operators. The jury found 163 in
dictments, most of them involving
charges of murder and all against
either union men or union sympa-
thiZers.
A report Of military court martial
of the state of Colorado was also made
public in August. This court tried
the officers involved in the Ludlow
fight. Louis Tikas, the Greek strike
leader, while a defenseless prisoner,
was struck over the head with a rifle
by Lieutenant X. E. Linderfelt. The
rifle was broken. Later Tikas and
two other men were shot, the officers
claiming they were trying to escape.
The verdict of the court martial was
absolute acquittal with the exception
Of Linderfelt and he was found guilty
of the facts as charged. -. but by
reason Of the justification as shown in
the evidence adduced before the court
49,. the court does therefore acquit
him."
President Wilson sent william r.
Farley of Alabama, formerly member
Of the executive board of United Mine
and Hyell G. Davis Of Ken
lucky, a retired coal operator, to in
vestigate and report. In September
The President submitted a plan for
three years. truce, the work of these
men. Though it provided less than
the strikers had hoped to get, they
accepted it. The operators rejected 1t,
they did not have to accept
t and that the strike was practically
over. It is true that the number of
strikers is materially reduced.
To better understand the situation
t is necessary to know the conditions
under which, in most cases, the miners
i've. A shaft is sunk and mining be-
gun wherever coal is discovered, usu-
lily in canyons or places difficult of |
access. Operators must supply houses
or the miners and In many instances |
start whole towns for the convenience |
If their men. All this, OF course, on |
heir own land. Thus operators COM
nand the situation. Camp marshals |
watch the entrance to towns and ques-
ion every stranger who enters. Unless
he answers are satisfactory the trav
,ler is turned back.
Part of the marshal's business is to |
Zeep out union organizers. All meas
lres possible are used to keep the men
rom attempting union. The opera
ors have almost unlimited power over
he miners. The extreme method of |
this power Is the main cause
VI the strike.
The foregoing information is culled
rom the extensive account of the Col
,rada situation in the Survey Of De-
,ember s. John A. Fitch Of the Sur
'ey staf writes the account after a
lose personal investigation. 1t is
'bvious that there has not been a
'quare deal for the miner in the camps
" Southern Colorado.
Having the upper hand, the opera
ors seem determined to hold it. No
Is given to others con-
,erned with relationships of industry