The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-11-30
SETH 10 " HEADS
COMM S|ON TO
ENDCOAL STRIKE
President Says Country Is Weary
Of Trouble In Colorado
WILL NOT WITHDRAW TROOPS
Mine Owners Scored for Their IN
compromising Attitude Toward
Proposed Mediation

Washington, Nov 29.-President
Wilson today named a commission of
three-Seth Low of New York,
Charles W. Mills of Philadelphia and
Patrick Gilday of Clearfeld, Pa, a
miner-to deal with the Colorado coal
strike
The announcement of the appoint
ment of the commission was accom-
paired by statement from the Presi-
dent in which he expressed disap-
pointment that the mine operators
! had rejected his proposals heretofore
made for the settlement OF The
strike The President says he does
not feel like withdrawing the troops
from the scene of the disturbance
without making some effort TO bring
about an amicable settlement and lie
has accordingly named the commits
sion to deal with the situation, The
President took this course without
consultation with the operatives. His
statement follows:
THE strike of the miners in Colo
RADIO which has now lasted for year
has attracted the attention OF the
whole country and has been accom-
panied by many distressing and traei
cal circumstances. The mediation Of
tho government of the United States
was offered early in the struggle, but
the operators of the mines were I'M
willing TO avail themselves of il or to
act upon the suggestions maze in the
interest OF peace by representatives
of the departments OF labor authorized
by statute TO serve in such capacity.
It became necessary TO send federal
troops tc tie district affected in a.
der to preserve the peace but their
presence coul dof itself accomplish
nothing affirmative.
After long waiting therefore and
the disappointment of many hopes OF
accommodation | ventured. after tax.
ms counsel with representatives Of
the government who had been on the
field and made themselves thoroughly
familiar with all the conditions Of
the case. TO propose a plan of tenn
pCrary settlement to be put into OPP
| Grafton for a period of three yeas
| and To afford means of amicable
consultation and adjustment between
the operators and their employees
pending agreement upon such terms
and arrangements as might be made
| the basis for permanently satisfactory
relations between them. The plan
seemed to be obviously fair and sen
sible. The striking miners promptly
accepted it but the operators reject
ed il. saying in response to my ear
nest appeal that they objected to its
most essential features namely, the
! proposed arrangements which the
miners state their griyances through
a committee and by which differ
ences might be settled by reference
to commission appointed by the
President of the United States. /
think the country regretted their de-
cision and was disappointed that they
should have taken SO uncomproms-
ing a position. ! have waited and
hoped for change in their atll;cde.
hut now fear that there will be none
And yet do not feel that | am az
liberty to do nothing in the presence
OF circumstances so serious and dis
tressing. Merely to withdraw .he fed
e-al troops and leave the situation to
clear and settle itself would seem to
me TO be doing something less than
my duty after all that has occurred.