Omaha daily bee., 1914-05-05
Movement Started for Joint Com
mission of Investigation.
GOVERNOR ooLLAPsEs AT DESK
Executive Unable to Finish Message
He Was Working On.
SQUARE DEAL, SAYS PROSECUTOR
Trinidad official Refuses Request of
Mine Operators for Wholesale
Arrests of Miners Engaged
in the Forbes Battle,

DENVER. Colo, May 4,--The Col
orado legislature convened in extra
session today in response to a call
by Governor Ammons to consider
matters connected with Colorados
coal strike.
The selection of J. II. Slattery as
the democratic caucus candidate for
speaker by vote of 23 to II, scat
tering, was regarded as a victory for
tho supporters of Governor Ammons.
This assured Slattery's election as
speaker. The combined republican
aud progressive complimentary vote
was expected to go to Horace Mann
OF Garfield county, who was elected
on a fusion ticket.
The administration Supporters generally
appeared TO favor the payment of the
militia, but were met with threats by
opponents that II such legislation was
attempted an effort would be made to
secure the governors impeachment.
Talk of Adjournment.
During the forenoon suggestion vas
heard that the senate and house appoint
q Joint committee 10 investigate the
strike and report to the twentieth legis-
lature. which eonvenes next January. and
adjourn sine de, leavlng the prssent
situation 10 he handled by the Federal
authorities. Such Il course would mean
no provision for meeting the military In
debtedness, roughly estimated at tl.oOooOo.
and no attempt to carry out the legls-
lstivs program contained in the COVER
nor'a call.
Labor leaders continued 10 express COM
fidence that they would be able TO carry
through their avowed program for the
governors impeachment
Governor Receivers from Collapse.
The governor. somewhat recovered from
his nervous and physical collapse of last
night while preparing message to the
legislature, was at his office during the
morning. Unable to complete formal
message he planned TO go before the
Joint session and address them on the
subject OF the strike and topics included
In his call. These comprise payment OF
the militia, a compulsory arbitration law,
establishing a state constabnlary, laws
giving the governor authority to close
saloons In times of internal disorder and
TO regulate the sale and purchase OF fire
arms and an appropriation to meet the
expense of the special session.
Mentally and physically exhausted by
the horrors OF the last two weeks Gov
ernor e. NJ Ammons has been unable 10
prepare his message for the special ses-s
sion of the legislature which convened
today to consider legislation in connec-
tion with the strike. Last night while
working on the message, Governor Ann
mons broke down and was forced to his
bed. While in consultation with party
leaders. the executive succumbed TO the
strain under which he had labored night
and day, particularly since the horrors of
Ludlow. lie was visibly affected and
tears streamed from his eyes.
Work on Com promise Program.
modification OF the suggestion for a
legislative investigation was that the re-
port be made TO an adjourned session OF
the present legislature TO convene within
thirty or sixty days This appeared to
meet with greater favor and some mem
bers ventured prediction thaa a pro-
gram of this character would be agreed
upon.
An eleventh hour shift gave to John s.
Hasty the complimentary vote OF repub-
licsns and progressives for speaker.
Horace Mann being chosen floor leader
Mann moved TO make slattery's cleo
tion unanimous declaring that the pres-
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