The Washington herald., 1914-09-23
mine OPERATORS
WON'T SURRENDER
Upheld by Rockefeller, jr.,
They Reject Presidents
Truce Offer.
CONFERENCE HERE TODAY
Owners Tell Mr.. Wilson that Prin-
ciples Asserted by Him in Mexico
Apply to Strike Situation.

The Colorado mine operators have de
INJURED against accepting in its entirety
President Wilson's plan for ending th'
big strike. In this stand the officers Of
| the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company ar,
backed up publicly by John D. Rookie
feller, Jr.. who is supposed to represent
controlling stock interest in the com
pany.
The portions Of the plan rejected by
the mine operators are regarded here as
the vital ones, and there is little likeli'
hood Of any settlement as the result OF
President Wilson's suggestions, unless a
compromise is reached on the points OF
difference.
The PrcsIdcnt'E Plan.
The Presidents plan contemplated q
three-year truce, with the re-employmen'
OF all striking miners who had not been
found guilty Of violating the law, and the
creation OF grievance committees TO set
tie points Of difference between the
miners and the operators. Appeals not
settled by the grievance committees were
to be carried to a commission to be ap-
pointed by President Wilson.
President Wilson appealed both to the
operators and the miners on patriotic
grounds to accept this plan. He alluded
to the European war and the needs
all unIOWdTu ana I'll
cumstances be taken out of the light of
the people OF the United States at this
time" Representatives OF the striking
miners accepted the plan. and their ac-
ton later was ratified by the United Mine
Workers Of America
In their reply TO President Wilson the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company people
still show a determination to stand I'M
swervingly by the men who have stood
by them through the months OF diSOr-
der and bloodshed and who have con-
tinued TO work in the mines. They in
sist upon defending their rights and the
open shop idea to the end, and they
take exception to one or two features OF
the Presidents plan as bearing on this
phase of the situation.
President J. F. Welborn. Of the Colo
rado Funi and Iron Company. in his reply
to President Wilson. which is publicly
indorsed by John d. Rockefeller. jr.. calls
to Mr.. Wilson's attention the principles
asserted bv him in Mexico as applying
TO the present situation.
Wont Surrender.
IF men are determined" says Presi-
dent Welborn. ito attain their ends by
violence. it Is automatic that govern
ment can not make concessions Of prin-
ciple merely to induce such men to re-
frain from riot. The United States gov
ernment refused 10 purchase peace with
HuertA in Mexico at the expense of
sound political morality; for a similar
reason no surrender. merely for tempor-
ary peace, should he made to those who
melted and directed the lawlessness
which has taken place in Colorado To
make such surrender would but sow the
wind against Inevitable ~hirlwind.''
The operators suggest that they them
selves have a plan under contemplation
which they would like to have the Presi-
dent consider. A conference will be held
at the White House today between repre-
sentatives Of the operators and PresI-
dent Wilson. The President will make
supreme effort to bring about some agree
ment which will be acceptable to the
miners. Failing in this. he may feel
compelled to withdraw the Federal troops
and call upon the State OF Colorado again
to undertake its normal functions. In
submitting his plea to the operators and
miners. the President intimated that the
Federals troops had served as long as
they ought to serve.