The chronicle=news., 1914-09-25
picketins is prohibited by state

the civil authorities. The limitations
placed on the Observance of this rule
De above emphasized, could be made a
preteIt for its constant violation. 5i.1
Paragraph C. The suspension
pf mine over six consecutive days
by the company may be authorized
for q cause satisfactory to the conn
mission but not pending any dis
tute.'.' .f
This rule totally disregards pos
sible market conditions and other In
nustriai contingencies which in the
ordinary course of the business fire.
anently make it necessary to suspend
operations for considerable periods of
time-under some conditions for
month or even longer.
Ion account OF the mutual bene-
fits derived from the truce employ
ers and employees should each pay
bne-hak of the expenses of the COM
mission.'
Our present employees, who have
hot been considered in the tentative
plan" should not be asked to con-
tribute to the maintenance of such a
commission. Neither do we see how
we, as operators. ran agree that our
employees will contribute to this ex-
tense except by their individual con-
sent. -OI ss
! 1t is not our purpose to take up
your time with history of the
strike and the circumstances leading
up TO 1t. nor to discuss whether the
Operators or strikers were respon-,
sibfe9 for the past violence. but we
wish to call your attention to the
fact that since you sent the federal
troops into the strike districts. there
has been nothing In atherattitlde of
the coal operators to make the pres
enne Of the troops, necessary and. ex-
cept for the attitude OF the strikers.
the federal trooas could be with
drawn at any time without endanser-
ing the peace of the district orr the
safety OF the strikers, v
I On. the arrival OF the federal
troops In the state, the coal operators
promptly complied with your proc
lamstion by delivering up all OF their
arms and dismissIng their guards.
On the contrary. the strikers de-
fled yonr authority. gave up only q
few of their arms and are still gath
cred together In camps with arms
readiiy available for the purpose of
attacking oar mines Us soon ns the
federal troops are withdrawn.
Our employees being now unarmed
and our property defenseiess. II the
federal troops are Withdrawn, great
destruction OF life and property will
surely occur. ra
We respectfully suggest that the
federal troops can safely be with
drawn from Colorado when the offic-
ers and agents OF the United Mine
Workers of America cease to incite
the striking miners TO lawlessness
and cease to support them In idle
ness; or when the strikers surrender
their ,arms- and ammunition aud the
governor Of the state puts into effect
by proe1anation and enforces the law
passed al the special session OF the
state legislature held last May, relat-
Ing to the shinment, sale and possess
sion OF arms and ammunition In the
strike districts.
: We shall be glad to cooperate
with you in any practical measures
having for their object the termina-
tion OF tho unfortunate labor condf-
tiOns which. to some extent. still ex-
list in this state. Il is our firm conA
victiOn that the result universally
desired can be obtained by n strict
and impartial enforcement OF the
laws affecting alike strikers and op-
orators. To this end, We take tho
liberty of suggesting that there lie
inch concurrent action upon the part
nj the federal and stnte authorities as
will enable the governor to immed-
lately put into effect. within the lin
It's OF the disturbed district, by proc
lamntfon. the laws recently enacted
by this state relating to the sale and
possession of arms and ammunition.
and to repeat our frequent requests
that the orders TO the officers in
command Of the federal troops in this
state restricting the mine operators
in the employment of labor, be so
modified as to permit the employ
ment of workmen as In normal times
& Respectfully.
The Victor-American Fuel Co. by :.
Z c. Ossood. chairman Of the board.
The Rocky Mountain Fuel Co. by d.
Nv. brown. president.
lanes T. brooks, president. tho
nrooks-lriarrison Fuel Co.
Henry Denman. the falisade Coal &
Supply Co.
II. u. King, president. the Primrose
Coal Co. "''.
Fl. Van Mater. president the Nation
al Fuel Co.
". Vnn Mater. president. the Royal
Fuel Co. at, ~
VIM. Dick. president. the Gordon
Coal Co.
J. T. Thompson. president. New Matt
land Coal Co.