United labor bulletin., 1914-02-21

Armored Autos Built in Pueblo.
Felts testified the steel bodies OF the
armored automobiles used at Trinidad
and Walsenburg, and from which the
tent colonies at Forbes and Ludlow were
shot up. were built under his direction
at the C. +. & l. plant at Pueblo. The
witness admitted his men had the CO.
operation of the sheriffs of Huerfano
and Las Anmas counties.
When the operators attorney, Judge
Jesse Northcutt, attempted to interfere
and direct answers less damaging to the
coal companies. Chairman Foster sharply
said:
'.You stay out OF this. The commit
tee is finding cut what it wants without
your help"
Felts startled the committee by say.
ing Lieutenant Lindenfeldt OF the state
militia had been in charge of the OPP
orators machine guns and i'll their pay,
and that these guns were turned over
to the militia for use after they reached
the strike zone. He further said that
Governor Ammons. as commander-in-
chief, had accepted these machine guns
from the operators. The witness en-
phasized the close cooperation between
the governor and the operators.
When Felts testified that one of the
men, George W. Belcher, had been killed
by Louis Zancanelli, striker, he was
called down. He admitted he had heard
this from a militia officer
Don't yon know you have no business
testifying under oath to so serious a
matter if you were not a witness to the
killing?" declared Congressman Evans.
Felts testified the rapid-fire guns anG
quantities of ammunition used by his
men We're bought and paid for by the
operators These guns are now in tine
hands of the militia, since most of the
gunmen had joined the troopers under
General Chase.
What is your capacity in strike
breaking work? - inquired Representative
Sutherland OF West Virginia.
1--WE are employed in an official ca
pacity, Just as lawyers are was the
reply.
Wants to Be Sole Dictator
John C. Osgood. general manager of
the Victor American Fuel company. was
questioned by members OF the committee,
particularly as to his attitude to union
organizations. and his belief in the pub
lies right to regulate the coal and sim
liar industries. He said that he does not
believe in arbitration; that if the men in
his mines We're to form unions for the
presentation of grievances he would be
glad to meet them. but would not abide
by the decision of board of conclia-
tion or arbitration. He thinks, he testi-
fled, that he should have the final de-
termination OF what should be done in
his mines.
President J. +. Welborn of the Cole
RADIO Fuel and Iron company expressed
a similar opinion and said: Il am going
to run my business or not have any bus
mess" He further testified that he had
eight machine guns for protec-
tion OF his mine property.
Don't Represent Our Men"
Have you any personal objection to
dealing with John Lawson, John Me-
Lehman and Edward Doyle. the leaders
OF the striker" he was asked
81 don't think they represent our
men, was his reply.
A surprise was caused when Weborn
testified that the striking miners have
about 100000 in money dorosited with
his company, out OF about 100000
which had been on deposit at the time
OF the strike under system of notes
established by the company to allow
the men to deposit their earnings
While the operators contended they
had no organization, it was shown that
% per cent OF the coal mining properties
had combined and Il fixed weekly sum 10
being paid in to Secretary Treasure,
liabcock to fight the union.
Osgood and Welborn both said they
would spend any amount of money rathe,
than recognize the miners union
President Welborn admitted thai Gov
ernor Ammons had come to his office for
a conference during the campaign.
An interesting feature OF Welborlfs
testimony was that miners capable of
earning 81 800 year" were paid for at
the "knockdown'' rate of 81 900 when
killed in mine disasters.
The committee closed its Denver hear
ing last Saturday night at $3.50. having
held three sessions each day during the
week. Its labors will be concluded in
Denver. after visiting Trinidad Walsen-
burg Pueblo and Boulder
LARGE RFNFFITS PAIN nv rrur0Nc