Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-10
MINERS UNIONS
WILL OPEN DOOR
Men Now at Work in Colorado Will
Be Given Opportunity to Join
Organization.
POSITION OF UNION STRONGER
Mr.. Lawson Says Calling Off Strike
Puts IL I'm Position co Demand
Enforcement OF the state
Statute.

DENVER. Colo, Dec. 9.-Men now at
work In the Colorado coal mines will be
given an opportunity to Join the United
Mine Workers of America, now that the
strike has been called off. according to
John r. Lawson, Colorado member of the
executive board of the organisation. Mr..
Lawson said today that many of 'the
miners brought into the state by opera
tors had been for some time anxious to
Join the strike. but that the organization
had not thought It wise TO encourage
them to quit their jobs.
The calling off OF the strike leaves us
in a position to demand the enforcement
OF the statute permitting miners to be-
long to the union,' said Lawson. I'VE
are in an infinitely stronger position than
we were ten years ago. Then the miners
refused TO call off the strike and the men
who had to so back to work to support
their families either left the state or gave
up their union membership
A convention OF District Is, United Mine
Workers, late last night voted to call the
srike off, effective December 10
The tent colonies will be continued for
the present, according to Lawson. The
tents belong 70 the union, he explained
but they are the only homes the men
have. and they will be loaned to then
until they are able to secure work. The
strikers were paid their benefits last sat
urday and they will be paid next satur-
day. In fact, those who are unable to
secure work win be supported indefinitely
by the union. or course. we will not con-
tinue to pay benefits to men who refuse
to try to get employment. II is not true
that he amount of the weekly benefit
has been reduced.
]. f. Weiborn, president OF the Colo
! RADIO Fuel and Iron company. issued &
| formal statement on the termination Of
/ the strike. 1t follows:
''The calling off of the strike, now al.
most fifteen months old, is naturally q
cause for general satisfaction. IL must
however, be borne in mind that:
''First-The general trade conditions
make II impossible for the mining com.
panles to give immediate or early en-
ployment to all Of the strikers who have
been connected with any violence, though
we still re-employ such men as fast as
vacancies occur or improved trade condi-
tons make possible.
"Second-The lawless element, which
is by no means small, has been taught
to not only disregard the rights of the
men at work and the property OF the
owners, but to defy the law.
"Third-The lawless element rs either
fully armed or has arms hidden away In
convenient places.
"Fouth-The lawless and the misguided
alike will not relish the idea OF having
their relief. small though II has been
cut off In midwinter
''Fffth-The tent colonies remain at the
strategic points and are occupied by the
lawless. so-called strikers. whose resent.
ment toward the men at work win b.
even keener after being forsaken by the
strike leaders than II has been hereto
fore.
These conditions make IL very evident
that for time, at least. the large arm,
OF workmen-to say nothing of the mininl
properties-must have the protection OF
military forces, either of the state o,
| nation"