Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-12-06
OPERATORS PAMPHLET
ADMITTED TO Be lies
COMMISSION PROBES INTO
BOOKLET USED BY
NINE OWNERS.
WeIborn Admits on Witness
Stand That Much of 1t
Was Untrue.

NENVER, Colo, Dec. 5-"Facts
~ concerning the struggle in Colo>
RADIO for industrial freedom" a
pamphlet issued by the coal mine
managers" ard which j. II, Welborn,
president OF the Colorado Fuel & Iron
Co., said his corporation had had
written by an unnamed writer, was
Investigated by the federal commission
on Industrial relations today.
Mr.. Welboru testified thar the Colo>
rado Fuel Il Iron Co. published the
document at an expense Of $4,000 and
distributed forty thousand copies to
ministers, legislators, educators anG
the public After assuming respon>
sibility for the pamphlet Mr.. Wei
born acknowledged that several para.
graphs should be qualified; that OF
the truth of others he had no evidence,
and repudiated responsibility for stili
other statements.
The witness declined to give the
name of the author of the book, who,
he said, came to Colorado TO write
the book after a conversation with an
eastern director Of the company, He
did not know who was 10 pay the
writer Tor ms services.
Admitted Measurements
Chairman Walsh questioned Mr..
Wclborn regarding a statement in thu
pamphlet that at some of tne mines or
the company from 80 to gg per cent
of the miners before the strike was
called slgned papers expressing sat
isfaction with working conditions ana
opposing the strike. Mr. Welborh
said that at the Rouz mine 99 per
cent Of miners signed the statement,
but that 40 per cent went out when
he strike was called. At the Terclo,
Morley and Primero mines, he saiG,
80 per cent signed, but considerably
less than that percentage remained
at work.
Regarding a statement In the
pamphlet to the effect that the com
pany had investigated men hired fOi
guards as to their former experience,
habits and efficiency as police Off
GERS. Mr. Welborn said this inyesti-
cation had been left to the head or
the agency through which the guards
were employed. because of the urgent
need of immediate protection.
Mr.. Walsh called the attention or
the witness to a table appearing in the
pamphlet, giving the sums alleged to
have been paid to national officers or
the United Mine Workers. According
to this table, sums paid out in nine
weeks were as follows
Frank j. Hates $4,5O2, plus s1,66t
for expenses
John McLennan, s2,6S3, Plus 81, ,469
for expenses.
John r. Lawson, sl,773.
Mary Jones, S2,66S.
"Do you accept personal response
bility for this asked Welsh.
FOR as much of the published
statement as has not been denied
replied Welborn.
Mr. WelbOrn reiterated that tho
statement had been published on tho
authority of the newspaper in which
II first appeared.
"Of course, IL the newspaper state
ment is incorrect, this statement is In.
correct" he said.
Commissioner O'Connell observed
that the figures given were from tho
report of William Green, secretary OF
the United Mine Workers, and covered
total salary and expenses for one year,
not nine weeks.
"Of course | had no access to Mr.
Green's report" said Welborn.
The statement in the pamphlet
which alleged that the delegates TO
the strike were selected and sent there
by the officers of the union, Mr.. Wei
born declared he could not substan.
tate.
81 repudiate the responsibility for
the statement" he said.
The pamphlet stated that of the
100000 the employees of the Colo.
rado Fuel q Iron Co. had on deposi,
with the company, only 20 per cent
had been withdrawn. Under cross ex-
animation, Mr.. Welborn said that OF
the total sum only 100000 was in
demand notes and of this $50 900 was
the property of wage earning employees
of the fuel department-miners The
rest of the money was deposited on
interest bearing time notes, which the
company could refuse TO pay before
maturity, and which fact was stated
on such notes
The total loss to the Colorado Fuel
& Iron Co. caused by the strike was
$500, 200. Mr.. Welborn said.
Philadelphia Fighter Won.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 5.-Sam