United labor bulletin., 1914-06-06
CHALLENGE SENT
CHASE BY LAWSON
Military Brigand Dared to
Enter Joint Discussion
Leader Of Mine Workers Declares Of
ficers Of State Guard Are Trying
to MiSlead the Public

John LAWSON national board mem
Der ot the United Mine Workers of
America, has challenged Adjutant Cen
eral John Chase. eve doctor and tin sol
der TO joint discussion of the Colorado
coal strike its causes acts OF Governor
Ammons and the special session of the
legislature, at public meeting to be
hello in the Auditorium, date to be as
early as will suit the generals conven-
ience- Chase and his officers have been
traieiing about the state making ad
dresses in defense of the militia, and
lawson questions the truth OF what is
being Told the people by these discredited
officials Here is the letter sent to the
adiutsnt generals office in the state
house Wednesday:
Lawson's Challenge to Chase.
Dnver, Colo, June Sd, 1914.
John Chase. Adjutant General Colorado
National Guard. Denver, Colorado.
S1-The public press makes known
the iaet that you and your Officers are
touring the state, and that your former
Judge advocate. Major +. J. BOughtou.
l. risitins the East defending the ac-
tions OF the Colorado National Guard
during it service as a police power in
the coal strike. and especially it. actions
at ludlow. when nineteen men. women
and children We're murdered and ere
mated
To any controversy that calls for eN-
plamtlon from either factor there must
be two sides. 1t il not within the
bounds OF possibility that one side in
arguing it, own cause can be expected
10 gise that measure OF justice to which
TIN absent factor l. entitled.
ANe admit your right to defend the
militia which was under your command
and any OF your own actions or orders.
~ u-serve the same privilege for our
The Colorado press has printed many
conflicting stories as to how Colorado
militi, have robbed and plilndered and
DESTROYED homes. have abused and out
aged women and young girls. have rid
den down and MANNED mothers with
babes in their arms. have denied men and
" omen their constitutional rights. held
them incommunicado and subjected them
Ia the notorious third degree. and COM
mitted other outraees which led up TO
the Massacre of nineteen men. women
and children at Ludlow AITii 90
The coal strike and its consequent
horrors have cost the taNpaycts OF the
state several million dollras.
People Should Have the Facts.
We believe tina, i, is. no more than
= ght that they should have the facts
Presented to them in such manner that
they could decide for themselves the
ruth OF the situation.
As long a. the militia tells its story.
the strikers give another version, and
the press still n different view. the tax
pavers can never assimilate the facts
efficiently to arrive at any sane con-
clusion.
The only way this can be done. we be-
love. l. to arrange a meeting. say in the
auditorium. when YOU could present the
militia's side. and we could tell the peo-
pie our version. 80 that they could have
N the facts at one time and fix the
lame for the terrible outraecs on the
orkiEg men. their wives and children
~ hich have disgraeed Colorado before the
World.
We should be very pleased to meet
YOU at the Auditorium to discuss these
matters at any time that may he con
yenient TO YOU. II YOU desire to have
your attorney--former Judge Advocate
Major T.. j. Boughton-at this meeting.
We should expect the privilege of having
our attorney. MIR. Horace y. Hawkins,
Si rs in presenting our side.
That the public may be fully advised
,au these matters as soon rs possible. we
trust YOU will fix an early date for the
netting. and that we may hear from
YOU in the very near future.
Very truly yours.
JOHN II. LAWSON.
International Board Member District
No Is. L. NJ. W. of \.
"Mediators" Must Be Fishing.
Nothing has been heard from the So