The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-03
BLAME |SPLACED
ON ROCKEFELLER
Chairman Foster, of House Com
rnittee, Makes Personal
Plea for Arbitration.
COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE
Entire Responsibility for Blood
shed in Colorado Strike
District Charged.
COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE
Especial to The Tlmea.pispatcn.1

SQuarely up 70 JOhn II. Rocke1eller,
Jr, entire responsibility for continued
Dloodshed and destruction In the Colo
RADIO mining district, Chairman Foster,
of tho House Mines and Mining Conn
mittee, to-day presented statement
and copies OF Geographic correspon-
donce had with Mr.. Rockefeller and his
subordinates.
In tho statement there wax per-
sone1 plea to Mr.. Rockefeller to ac~
cept arbitration OF tho strike differ
ences for the snke of humanity and
in tho namc OF suffering women and
children.
SIr. Rockefeller failed to reply to
MIR. Fosters telegram yesterday. ex-
ceDt the curt answer that the tele-
gram had been forwarded to the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron Company.
Tho statement by DR.. Foster is in
tended to clear tho situation as to the
work of the committee in It's efforts to
bring about a settlement of tho strike.
II shows tho unyielding attitude OF
Afr. Rockefeller In tho light of his
company against union labor.
Fosters Statement.
Chairman Fosters statement fol-
lows:
an my conference with ar. Rookie
feiler et his Office In New York
urged on him the Importance of sub
hitting tho differences existing be-
i. tween tho striking miners and the
operators to fair and neutral board
of arbitration, believing that the
troubles existing In the State Of Colo
rado could DO peacefully settled.
IT speut the month OF February in
Colorado at the direction of tho House
OF Representatives investigating con-
ditions. Mr.. Rockefeller has not been
there in ten years. 1 have been over
the property and have conferred with
md examined mon on both sides or the
controversy. ] understand the situa-
a. lie n II
In tho differences which cannot be get
tied by arbitration. The demand that
the union be recognized has now been
withdrawn. The great question now
confronting the strikers and owner Is,
will you agree TO submit tho matter
to adjustment by arbitration?' Mr..
Rockefeller cannot cvade his respon-
sfbtlity. Ho cannot set forth the cx-
{ cuse that he will not arbitrate the
recognition OF the union. He can pre-
vent loss Of life and property by yield
Ing to arbitration. The great Penn
syivania strike and also the recent
i west Virginia strike was settled by
men on both sides agreeing TO abide
by the decision of umpires.
National sentiment and every In
|stiuct OF humanity demand the prompt
,ettlement OF the Colorado strike
Nothing should prevent both strikers
and Mr.. Rockefeller from placing the
case before q neutral board"
r4 Copies of Correspondents.
Copies Of tho Geographic correspond
s once between Chairman Foster and Mr..
Rockefeller and the other mine own
april 2e. 1914.
ITO John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
civilian Green, secretary and treas
urer OF the International Mine Work.
ers' Union. makes public statement
that mine workers waive any recoSni-
ton OF the union or unionizing camps
Are you willing to enter into negotia-
lions for settlement OF strike OH that
basis and stop the killing of men,
5 women and children? I strongly urge
you to do SO, and believe the strike
can be ended without recognition Of
the union, and all other differences
can be amicably settled. In my judg-
ment II Is your duty to do So
(Signed)
MARTIN D. FOSTER,
chairman Mines and Mining Com
mittee. House OF Representative"
BockcfeiIer's Reply.
New York, April 80. 1914.
.Dr. II. d. Foster, Washington. D. G.
your telegram of last night is re-
ceived. and ] am forwarding it to tho
:, officers of the Colorado Fuel and Iron
1RCompany, in Denver, who, with the
officials Of the other mining COM
panies in Colorado. arc the only ones
competent to deal with tho question
therein referred to.
I'll (Signed)
A@JoHN D. RoCKEFELLER. JR."
Foster Appeals Again.
april 80. 1914.
ohn u. Rockefeller, Jr,
"26 Broadway, New York:
"Your telegram somewhat n dsap-
ointment. We were In hopes that you
you'd deem the situation so grave and
rfous that you would give your per-
nal effort to prevent the further
ling OF mon, women and children,
id we renew the hope that you re-
Phsider and resolve to use your per-
pnal influence and authority to this
inane end.
tSigned) MARTIN ID. FOSTER"
Operators State Their Cnse.
Denver, Col. April 80, 1914
Hon. NJ. D. Foster.
House of Repres entatives. Wash
ington, &c:
HAnswering your telegram of last
Inight addressed to Mr.. John D. Rookie
{feller. tJr., and referred to Colorado
\mine owners for reply. When. on April
We, the Governor withdrew all except
small detachment of militia from the
eid, law. order and quiet prevailed in
operators OF coal mines more than
200 apparently contentcd men. On
morning of April 20, the striking
lers In the Ludlow tent colony two
es from the nearest coal mine, placed
women and children in what they
o fdered places OF safety and made
rmed attack upon the militia en-
led nearby.
PC fight continued throughout tho
ind several men were killed. Dur
g battle the tent colony was do
q by fire. Next day the bodies,
women and eleven children were
red In hole urdera tent where
lters had placed them when the
npon the soldiers was begun.
a all been suffocuted None Of
uldren and no woman was
O. fire. nor did the soldiers