Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
PLANS UNDER WAY
FOR SETTLEMENT OF
COLORADO STRIKE
Fuel and Iron Company S
Head, Now Here, Says
Directors Have New
Scheme for In d dustria |
Peace.

]. f. Welborn, president of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company, which has been
the central figure in the industrial war
in Colorado that led to the killing Of
women and children by the State militia.
was in this city today on his way from
New York to Denver. He stopped at the
Bellevue -Stratford.
While here. Mr.. Welborn made public
a reply he had written to President Will
son in response to the latter's proposal
for temporary settlement of the labor
controversy so that plan for industrial
peace in the Colorado coal fields might
be thoroughly discussed.
Mr.. Welborn, in his letter to the
President, does not agree either to ac
Cept or reject the proposed peace con-
ference. He declares, however. that
the officers of the company are now
developing an even more comprehensive
plan than Is suggested by President
Wilson. which shall mbody the results
of their practical experience and which
will Mr.. WelbOrn feels. result in a
closer understanding between the com
pany and it's employees.
Mr.. Welborn insisted that the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron Company has never
knowingly violated CONSTITUTIONAL law
Of the State of Colorado.
In his letter to the President made
Public today. Mr.. Welborn. among other
things, points out these facts:
Some of the Incidents of this dispute
have been most painful to us all and
we have felt profound responsibility
to take steps which would, if possible.
create a condition permanently satisfy
ing to all concerned. 1t is n pleasure,
for. tn
of the plan you have indorsed which can
form a sound basis for permanent prog
ress. We cannot but regret however,
that the plan is, in form and effect. a
truce, for that implies possible re-
newal of histlities-an eventuality we
are supremely anxious to avoid.
This breach was instigated by an or
ganzation financed and controlled outside
this State. and of which but few of our
employees were members. A careful in
quiry at the most critical stage of the
agitation, year ago, disclosed almost
unanimous opposition on the part of our
men to the proposed cessation of work
"Only fraction of our men responded
to the call to lay down their tools, many
of those look them up almost immedi-
ately, and today our production of coal is
over 70 per cent. of the usual output, and
fully 80 per cent. OF the demands of the
trade.
'IneSe COndltlonS prevail IN spite OF n
most aggressive propaganda of persua-
sion, incendlary appeal and intimidation.
The effectual collapse of this campaign
and the refusal of most of our men 10
respond to the appeals made to them.
is the best testimony we can offer to
their very real satisfaction with the way
they have been and are being treated.
more than $500 men, nearly all old
are peaceably at work In Col
OradO coal mines. receiving the highest
wages paid To that class of labor any
where in the United States. In our own
mines a large number of men are at
work today than at any time for a year
past.
we are prepared to re-employ upon
work which may be available. any man
who, so far as we know has not shared
i'm responsibility for acts of violence or
overt hostility In fact, we are daily
taking back such men into our service
"A plan 10 secure harmonious rela-
tions in some industries or sections of
the country would not necessarily apply
to our peculiar conditions. We are now
developing an even more comprehensive
plan, cmbodying the results of our prac-
tlcal experience. which will we feel con-
hdent, result in closer understanding
between ourselves and our men. This
plan contcmplatcs not only provision for
the redress of grievances, but for
&C ntinuous effort TO promote the welfare
and the good will of our employees"