The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-08

/
communication says that in view Of the
recent action of the president in ap-
] pointing a federal commission: we
deem il the part of wisdom to accept
his (the presidents) suggestion and to
terminate the strike
Beginning OF the End.
| Final efforts on the part of the United
Mine Workers to settle the strike,
, the communication states. began with
the acceptance on September 16, OF
J President Wilson's proposal of a three
year truce. This action was taken by
a district convention at Trinidad.
I'VE were of the opinion" says the
report, that such action on our part
| would speedily terminate the strike not
! thinking for an instant that the opera
tors would refuse the presidents plan OF
settlement, especially when the plan
meant nothing more or less than the
mining laws OF Colorado and the APP
pointment OF an industrial commission
by the president to see that such laws
were enforced. In the refusal of the
operators to accept the plan of settle
ment proposed by the president and
their insistence on the continuation OF
a system which stands for industrial
chaos and anarchy, they forfeit the
/ support IL they persist in maintaining
this position, OF every right thinking,
law-abiding American citizen.
when the operators refused to ac-
cept the presidents proposal we en-
tertained the hope that President
by governmental action. After wait
ing for more than two months for
some measure to be adopted by the
president that would terminate the
strike and receiving no definite word
as to what his final action might be.
we concluded to arrange q meeting
with the president, and accordingly
we met with him at the White House
on Thursday. November 10. He told
us at that time that he was legally
advised that he could not take over
the Colorado coal mines and operate
them under governmental supervision
and thus force q settlement Of the
strike in accord with the peace plan
he has submitted. The president ex-
pressed deep regret that the opera
tors had seen fit to disregard his
wishes in the matter and informed us
he would do everything he could le-
gally to bring about a settlement of
the controversy
After quoting the: communication of
President Wilson on December 1,
announcing the appointment of a fed
eral mediation commission to deal
with future controversies between op-
orators and employees in the Colorado
coal fields the report says:
In Difference to the President.
I'm view of this urgent request
coming as it does from the chief exec
utive of the nation, we deem it the
part of wisdom to accept his sugges-
lions and terminate the strike. In
our opinion to wage the strike further
would not mean additional gain to our
members.
IF the operators reject the good
offices of this commission appointed in
good faith by the president of the
United States, upon their shoulders
will rest the responsibility Of any
future trouble In the mining fields OF
Colorado. In taking this position
and in terminating this strike, we be-
lieve we are doing the best thing pos
sible for the men.
I'VE have spent an enormous
amount of money In waging this
struggle for justice and fair play in
the mining fields of Colorado but
have felt that it was spent in as noble
a cause as was ever given men to
espouse. 1t is with feelings of pain
and sorrow that we recall the massa-
ere Of our men. women and children
at Ludlow. The sacrifice made, the
privations endured are without par
allel in the history of labor struggles
in America. All lovers of liberty and
OShCNCAo Au AaAA pay OCA"SCu man
and man must admire the heroic
struggle of the Colorado miners
against the great wealth and influence
of Rockefeller and his associates.
May not this terrible conflict teach
the citizens Of Colorado and the ma
ton that government by gunner
must cease.
Efforts for Peace.
1--WE have made every overture for
peace since the beginning of this con-
flict. We have repeatedly sought a
conference with the mine owners only
to be denied a hearing. We have re-
peatedly offered arbitration only to
. be ridiculed and in the end IS of our
men. women and children were muir
came to understand that the coal
strike in Colorado was not a local or
state issue, but a national issue of
vital importance involving civil as we'll
as industrial rights.
I'VE feel that the president has SO
regarded it; that he has recognized
the truth of the claims we have made
and that with the termination of this
strike by the appointment of a perma-
nent commission of fair-minded men,
we shall find that the oldtime oppres-
sion and tyranny will be no more and
that public opinion will compel the
. large operators of Colorado to deal
justly with our people.
we IeCOSHIze no SuIIeHueI anu
shall continue to propagate the prin-
cip1es of our humanitarian movement
throughout the coal fields OF Colorado.
| We advise all our men to seek their
former places in the mines and to
+ those who are refused employment
We shall render assistance to the best
Of our ability"
In conclusion the report says that
the subcommittee of the international
| executive board now attending the
district convention has been given
discretionary power to meet the ext
| gencies Of any situation concerning
the termination of the strike that may
ariSe''