United labor bulletin., 1914-12-12
Welborn Forced to Bare Secrets
OF Operators Fight on Unions
Head Colorado Fuel and Iron Company Admits Misstate-
n,ents Were Made "Tuh Bulletins Issued; Overlooked
Denias That Were Printed in The United Labor Bulletin

Hu'iuuine-S IN many respects
Later on Welborn defied the commits |
sion and refused to reveal the name OF I
the man directly in charge OF the opcr-
ator- publicity bureau, saving he had |
been loaned by the Pennsylvania raII
road upon condition that his identity be
kept secret.
Nelborn testified that six of the COM !
PaHys directors lived in Denver and
seven in New York
NelbOrn testified that the affairs of
the company were managed by the eN-
ecttive committee in Denver headed by
L. NJ Bowers as chairman, and that a.
far as he knew there We're no formal
director meetings held in New York,
and that the only functions performed
by the board was one meeting a year
IN Denver. which formally approved
the acts OF the executive committee and
elected officers.
How They Dealt in Truth"
Chairman Walsh went into the ques-
tion OF errors in the bulletins sent out
by the committee at length He read n
para graph which said that - to 90 per
cent OF the employees had expressed
themselves prior to the strike as being
satisfied with wages and conditions
and opposed to striking.
These statements were made vol
unfairly said Welborn. He then said
I they We're collected by one or more en-
| ploves- The chairman drew out the
statement that the company had hao
printed blanks asking the miners to
I state whether they were satisfied and
opposed to a strike, and that these
blank- were given TO the men at most
OF the mines TO sign. Ninety-nine per
cent signed at the Rouse mine.
Did % per cent remain at work in
any Of your mines - asked the chair.
/ man
! u think not said Welborn.
Commissioner O'Couneu asked Vel
I born concerning a statement in the
l bulletins erediting a report of William
I Green. national secretary treasurer of
I tbe United Mine Workers, with the
I statement that Frank J. Hays received
a. salary and expenses for nine weeks
I s5.s2Hl3; that John McTennan received
I 80 DAY a. salary and expenses dur
inC ;.g same time. and that Mother"
'Hzs- received S2.GGs for nine weeks. or
day. and asked where Welborn
author OF the bulletins received
sTmation.
y newspaper clipping said
tn. Asked to name the paper and
g. he said he did not remember.
that one Of the statements for
you accept responsibility asked
i the same as for the others. II
wspaper was wrong then the bu.-
] Is wrong
;here shy proper method of deny
IL il : found to be untrue
ads Labor Bulletin Sometimes
"a You ever see a refutation of the
ri statement Of faets''
L. Every opportunity for denial was
hut when no denial was made
ed - A. fact
y-vou not see refutations in the
Tribune. the Kansas City Labor
the Denver Labor Bulletin, the
-loui> Republic"
No
do vou read those papers"
Sometimes"
~Did YOU look anywhere for refuta-
Ions
No. I have had many other things
tu do ! gave them an opportunity to
drnv il before the congressional com
mitiee and none al them did it
welborn said that the Colorado Sup
Ty Company which operates the com.
my stores. makes annual profits of
- per cent.
Walsh asked the witness to name the
'rccntaec OF English speaking miners
it. employ and Welbom said about
a, per cent.
II regard that a. a good showing.
lie witness declared.
Does your company keep list of
rtrsons who are not to he employed -
-ked the chairman.
We keep descriptieS OF our men
aud reasons why they are discharged"
aid he. III man j. Objectionable at
one OF our mines he Is not desirable at
mother"
Welboru admitted that the company
Lad purchased small arms and ammuni-
on September 20. 1913. week before
nc militia was called out. The ma
chino guns were not purchased until
October he said. The cost of arms and
ammunition was approximately $4,000
to $4,000 Raldwin-Felts detectives
we're not employed until after the strike
was called.
Wclhorn profcssed. when questioned
bv Walsh. absolute ignorance OF a law
which has been on the statute books
~jnce la0s. and which forhids coal COM
Uany employees serving as clerks or
Judges of elections.
Some officers OF our mines may have
served he said. but | have advised
gainst anything of the kind"
is it fact that in certain of Your
camps the men voted At the recent elec-
ton practically unanimously against the !
law which would have relieved them OF
all liability for accidents to themselves, |
while workingmcn in all other sections |
of the state voted for the lawf-
"Good to Their Employees"
Speaking not as president OF your |
company. but as n citizen of the rcpuh' |
lie. what method can You suggest To /
enable mau below the average TO bet
tor his condition." asked Commissioner