Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-11-10


tablishes agencies, international as
well as national, for protecting lives
Summing up steps that may be
taken toward the adjustment Of war,
the report continues:
"Miltarism and competitive arma-
ment must be abolished and tribunals
for awarding justice and agencies for
enforcing determinations must be in
stituted. International interests and
issues exist. Political institutions
should be established corresponding to
political developments. Those most
interested should lend in demands for
world federation and the rule of rea.
son between nations. The working
people OF all lands bear the brunt OF
war. They do the fighting, pay the
war taxes, suffer most from the dis
organization of industry and COM
merce which results from war;
The Mexican Situation.
Turning to the Mexican situation
the report makes public letter from
President GOmpers to Fafael Zubaran.
United States Representative MeXi-
can Constitutionalists," dated July H.,
of this year, saying the federation,
more than any other American
agenc except the government of the
United States, aided the success OF
the prospective government and ur-
ges withdrawal of the avowed declara-
ton Of those who speak. or assume to
speak, in the name Of General Car
rama" that ''retributiOn of the most
draconian character" would be visit
ed upon those responsible for the
overthrow of Madero.' Such a with
drawal, the letter added. would have
a tranquilizing effect and tend ITO
unite the people of Mexico in support
of an orderly government"
The report adds: 1--WE extend to
the people of Mexico under this new
hopes for their welfare and progress. y
Lengthy presentations were made
of conditions in mining fields in West
Virginia, Colorado, Michigan and
Montana, including much of the cor
respondence exchanged between op-
orators, employees and officials of the
federal and state governments Sum-
ming up the general situation. the re-
port says:g s2rt '4o .Ea"t.~s ri"
"The various different movements
Of the miners for improved conditions
have been more conspicuous this past
year than those of any other organi
cation with which the struggles have
been waged, amounting in each ia
stance practically to civil war; to the
number of human beings to whom
the struggle meant privation, suffer
ing and losses. ..'
Feudal Systems.
Land holding conditions involved
in some mining districts have en-
abled the operators to establish what
amounts to a feudal operating system
for the mines. They own vast tracts
of lands, hundreds and even thous-
ands of square miles in extent, on
which the mines are located. The
mining companies own therefore con-
troll all roads that traverse the land.
They own the houses in which the
miners live; the villages made up of
these miners; the school houses to
which their children go for mental
training; the churches which minis
ter to their spiritual needs; the stores
fron Which they buy their clothing,
food and other necessities; the post
Offices where they get their mail,
money orders and conduct their crude
banking transactions. Every detail
CT mining Hfe9is under the supervi-
sion of the mine operators through
their power Of ownership. In time Of
strike the mine operators have the
power Of eviction and have forced
hundreds of strikers and their fam.
lilies to seek shelter in tent colonies,
with the constant danger, of expos
,ro. There can. be no real freedom
under such conditions of industrial
tyrrany.
"In addition to problems arising
from feudal ownership of land, the
mine operators have assumed police
power. They employ armed mine
guards to maintain their regulations
and to guard mine property, In times
Of industrial peace. the mine guards
serve as police and prevent 'undesir-
able persons from trespassing upon
the land Of the mining companies.
The elastic term, trespass,' has been
interpreted to mean all manner of or
ganizing activities. In times Of in
dustrial disputes the mine guards are
increased and more heavily armed.
These conditions beget violence and
Industrial disputes in many of these
districts are now practically civil
war.
"The use of armed troops by mine
operators and the power resulting
from ownership or large tracts of con-
tiguous territory and the subversion
Of civil government to military rule
are some of the most serious of mod
ern industrial problems. We recon-
mend and urge that the various state
declarations. Of labor endeavor to Sc
cure legislation prohibiting this brutal
practice, which is subversive Of all
Industrial justice and freedom
Statistical reports show the mem
bershiD this year to total 2.020.671 as
against 100000 last year. The one
cent assessment fund to defray ex-
penses Of the United Hatters and con-
tempt cases shows that of $15,01S,
the sum of $14,752 has been expend-
ed, the largest item being attorneys
fees to Alton B. Parker for both