The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-29

If the president would make a public
statement that the federal troops were
being sent to Colorado for the purpose
Of enforcing obedience to the law and
securing to every citizen the right
guaranteed to him by the constitution
% be protected in his life and liberty,
whether he chooses to work as a mem
Der of a union or not, 1t would go far
to terminate the deplorable conditions
= hich now exist.
The only point at issue, so far as the
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. is concern
ed, is that Of ~unionizing, and unioniz-
ing at the behest, not Of employees, less
than 10 per cent. of whom were MO
men, hut at the demand of an outside
body. This, as l have said, is a mat.
ter Of principle which we could not
'rcede or arbitrate.
IN order to correct an impression
which seems to nave gained currency
l desire to restate what was fully
stated in the cong 'essional eXamina-
ton, namely, our position with refer
ence to organized labor. We do not
question the right OF any workmen to
freely associate themselves in unions
for the furtherance OF their common
and legitimate interests, but we do as
sert the equal right Of an individual to
work IL depeDdently or a union if he so
elscts. We are contending against the
right of unions 20 impose themselves
upon an industry by force by assault
and murder. and not against the right
of men to organize for their mutual
benefit.
The impression has beer created
that IL we would agree to submit to the
unionizing of the camps Of the Colo
RADIO Fuel e Iron CO., this entire trou-
Bile would be ended. The public gener-
ally does not seem to consider wheth-
er or not this is a right or a fair de-
mand. n in the interest of the en-
ployeS of the company as a whole.
What would become Of the great ma
jority Of its workers were such sur
render to be made? All of it's loyal
|non-unlon employees, numbering sever
al thousands, more than 90 per cent
of the total number employed in the
mines. who have been faithful to it's
Interests, would be thrown out Of en-
ployment unless willing to submit as
individuals to union dictation. Is it
the spirit Of American. fair play which
is asking such ruthless disregard of
the interests Of honest men, or is it
the spiri' of craftsmanship and self
seeking?
But the issue is not one of merely
local Importance. 1t affects every
w~orkingman throughout the land. The
fact that labor unions represent but a
very small minority of the workers Of
the entire country, seems to be lost
sight of by those who urge the termi-
nation of this local difficulty at the
price of surrender to union domination.
Surely, no thinking man can ask, much
less expect, that we will abandon our
own employees and the cause of the
workers of the entire country because
violence and wholesale slaughter are
brought about by an element which has
come to regard itself as above and be-
yond the reach of the law.
"A a tha la hnr Unjnnc rapraoanfipr q
small minority OF the workers OF the
country, to be sustained in their dis
regard of the ~inalienable right Of every
n~on-union MANI? Surely the vast mai
GRITTY of American citizens will, with
out fear or favor, stand for even hand
ed justice under the constitution and
equal rights for every citizen.
But there is a final aspect of this
grave matter which deserves more than
all else the attention of the American
public in this crisis; whether the Colo
RADIO Fuel & Iron Co., and other opera
tors have been wholly free from blame
or not in the present controversy, the
Issue now to be decided is whether the
state, or failing the state. the nation,
shall make good the constitutional
guarantee of law and order.
AT the present moment in Colorado
funds are being openly raised and citi-
Gems are being armed with the avowed
purpose Of resisting the authorities Of
the state. Since that issue OF resist
nee to constituted authority is raised,
It Is unthinkable that the Colorado
Fuel G. Iron Co, or any Of the oompan-
les operating In the state should be
asked to yield their position on a preli-
minary and now e~xtraneous matter Of
dispute, as the price Of securing the
withdrawal Of forces armed to combat
their own government"
Upton Sinclair, socialist, author and
lecturer, accompanied by Mrs. Sinclair
and Mrs. Laura G. Cannon, wife Of
soseP Pm S Sannon oFsan11zer 81 the West.
day visited the offices of John ID.
Rockefeller, jr., to protest against con-
ditions in the Colorado mines.
or the party, sending back word that
he was too busy.