Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-02-11
SECRETS OF THE
CONVENTION
WITHHELD
UNION OFFICIAL ASKS COMMIT.
TEE TO EXCUSE HIM FROM
ANSWERING QUERIES

Denver, Colo, FEB. ll.--John X
Lawson, Colorado member of the in
ternational executive board Of the
United Mine Workers Of America
today asked the house investigating
committee to excuse him from re
evaling all the details of the district
convention at which the Colorado coal
strike was called.
you gentlemen must remember,
he said that this strike is not over
yet, and we do not care to reveal
anything that might give away our
hand to the operators"
The labor leader was allowed to
give such information regarding the
convention as he saw fit, and was not
pressed for union secrets
Asked by Chairman Foster for bis
reasons for insisting upon recogni-
tion for the union, the labor leader
said:
There is no basis for settlement
between workman and employer.
The union prevents strikes and with
out it few men strike without justi-
fication. Then, unorganized workers
cannot obtain redress for abuses or
change of working conditions. If they
make complaint, they are discharged" ."
At the opening OF this mornings
session of the strike investigation it
was announced that Edward Gostigan
had been added to the list Of attor-
neys for the miners. John R. Law
son was called to the stand to re-
sumo his testimony The Colorado
member of the executive board Of
the United Mine Workers Of America
told Of the arrival Of the militia in
the strike zone.
Almost Immediately after the ar
rival of the troops at Trinidad, de-
tachments were stationed at various
points in Las Animas and Huerfano
counties he said.
when the troops arrived, the lead
ers Of our organizations informed the
men on strike that ii they were sat
isfied the militia was going to en-
force the laws, not TO take part in
the labor controversy"
The witness then told Of having
informed Adjutant General John
Chase that the Baldwin-Felts detec-
tives employed by the operators we're
importing arms. He said the general
ordered q captain to capture the
guns which we're taken from an ex-
press office by the troops. A1
Later" he resumed, General
Chase admitted that this particular
shipment Of arms, taken from the ex-
press office, was distributed to the
guards.
Before we go any further" said
Representative Byrnes, tell us, Mr..
Lawson, whether or not you have any
proof that peonage has existed in the
strike zone"
eve have the afadavits Of four
Mexicans who were brought from El
Paso. The guards took their shoes
away to keep them from walking out
Of the camp. when the mine officials
found that the men were determined
to leave they gave the shoes back to.
them. we have had other cases of
peonage, but I think It will be better
for Us to present the Witnesses rather.
than for me simply to state them"
The witness then told Of the
alleged importation IT strikebreakers
IN violation, he said. Of Governor
Ammons' original order
The labor leader then told Of al
legged occurrences in which the Uni
ted States mail was violated He
produced two letters addressed to
Mother Mary Jones. which, he said,
were not delivered to her during her
present Imprisonment in trinidad.
The letters were registered and en-
dorsed: The addresaee is a military
prisoner and delivery cannot be Ell