Evening star., 1914-05-17
Wilson Wires Governor to
Prepare to Preserve Peace
During Strike.
FEDERAL TROOPS CANNOT
BE USED THERE LONGER
Ammons Replies State Is Now Ca
pable of Caring for Its Peace
Affairs Itself.

DENVER Col, May 16-President
Wilson today served warning on Gov.
Ammons that the state of Colorado must
be prepared to maintain peace in the
coal miners strike districts without fed
era1 aid The President said that fed
eral troops would remain in the troubled
districts. "only until the state of Colo
rado has time and opportunity to resume
complete sovereignty and control
Il cannot conceive that the state is
willing to forego her sovereignty or to
throw herself entirely upon the govern
ment of the United States, said Presi-
dent Wilson.
In response, Gov. Ammons telegraphed
the President, pointing out that an extra
session of the legislature. just ad-
journed.i has provided a milion-dol-
lar bond issue to cover past and future
expenses of the state militia. The gov
ernor expressed -dence that as soon
these funds are available. the state will
be able to control the situation.
Trouble Months Old.
The Colorado coal mine districts where
approximately six thousand miners have
been on strike since last September %.
have been under virtual martial law for
months and have been guarded by
United States cavalry for about three
weeks. Previous to the arrival OF led
eral troops the mines were guarded ny tna
state militia. 1t was during the control
by the militia that riots and battles be-
tween strikers and mine guards broke
out. After the militia and strikers par
ticipated in the battle and fire at the
miners tent colony at Ludlow. April ~:
when twenty-one people were killed, ana
after other serious conflicts. the militia
was replaced by federal troops.
OF the S1OO.0OO provided by the bond
issue referred to by Gov. Ammons in his
message to the President, $6Sl,OOO al
ready has been spent in past expenses
of the militia.
The governors reply to the President
was:
Il regret exceedingly that you have
been misinformed. The legislature has
just passed an act. which nave ap
proved. providing for bond issue OF
Indebtedness which has been incurred and
which may be incurred in suppressing in
surrection and defending the state
Promises Peace In Future.
.As soon as these bonds can be issued
these funds will be available and this
state can and will control the SITUATION
This is the only constitutional method OF
raising funds in the immediate future
In addition TO this act the legislature
has enacted a law permitting the gov
ernor to close saloons In times OF dlsof-
der and also a law prohibiting the car
rving and disposition Of firearms in times
of disorder. Moreover committee on
mediation on the present strike has been
provided for and appointed
The governors call convening an extra
session of the legislature on May asked
The enactment of five strike measures. VI
these the following bills were passed
Providing a bond issue of $1,OOo.GO to
cover past and future expenses OF the
militia
Giving the governor authority to close
saloons in times of internal disorders
without declaring martial law.
Authorizing the governor to prohibit the
sale or purchase of firearms by unau-
Ihorized persons in times of internal dis
order.
The two measures included in the call
which were defeated were a conetltn-
;ionaI amendment for the enactment OF
compulsory arbitration act and Dill
establishing a state police force
Bills Passed by Coalition.
The enactment of the three bills was
a coalition of republicans. progres.ives
and administration democrats in the leg
isiature, who on the opening day an
nounced themselves in favor of the res
order and pledged their support to that
end. Several attempts We're made TO
prevail on the governor to extend the
scope of his call and reconvene the leg
jslature to deal with other phases OF
the situation but each was defeated.
In the closing hours of the extra Ses-
SON Joint resolution was adopted for
the appointment of three senators ana
three representatives to act as advisers
10 the governor in handling future strike
IN
twentieth general assembly, which con-
yenes next January. laws they may deem
necessary to meet the situation
The adjournment of the extra session
at . o'clock. the hour agreed on. was de-
layed by the receipt OF the telegram from
President Wilson. A resolution calhng
on the governor for copy OF his cor
Yespondence with the President was
tabled. The legislature later adjourned.
There are in Colorado approximately
700 United States cavalry of the 11th.
18th and 5th regiments, distributed
chiefly in the coal fields In Las Animas.
Huerfano. Fremont and Boulder coun-
ties. The greater number of militia on
duty according to the adjutant general s
Office. was !, ,427. December S. last.
Asked II he thought the militia could
handle the situation II federal troops
were withdrawn the governor said:
II hope 1t will not be necessary to use
the militia again / hope that before the
federal soldiers are withdrawn the fed
cure an adjustment of the strike con-
troversy."
Senators Want Troops to Stay.
That the acts of the legislature are not
sufficient to cope with the strike situa-
ton in case the federal troops with
drawn was the substance of minority
report adopted by members of the senate
and telegraphed to President Wilson
We believe that the measures passed
by the legislature at this session are in
adequate to meet the situation in this
state sad the report addressed to the
President. We protest our sincere de-
sire to alleviate the condition in this
state We deplore the necessity of your
telegram to Gov. Ammons anu the con
dition that makes necessary a reminder
to the Governor Of Colorado by the
chief executive of the nation that the
state is derelict in its duty in the
premises"
Wilson Demands Quick Action.