The chronicle=news., 1914-09-08
WILSON SEEKS TO
END COAL STRIKE
(CostisueA fren DaEe ~

/
twaived. no mine guards would be
employed. the federal troops now on
duty In the strike district would be
withdrawn. picketing, parading, col
onizing or mass campaigning by the
miners would be stopped and the sus-
lpension of work would be prohibited
fpending a decision by the commits
sion. The expense Of the commits
lsion would be divided between the
Iemployers and employees.
The presidents letter follows: "I
feel Justified in addressing you with
regard to the present strike situation
in Colorado because 1t has lasted 80
long; has gone through so many Sc
(rious stages and is fraught with 80
many possibilities that 1t has become
OF national Importance. AS you know
federal troops have been in the state
for the purpose of maintaining order
now for long time. / have been
hoping every day during that time
that some light would come out Of
the perplexities of the situation,
some Indication that the mine oper-
ators and miners who are now on
strike were willing to consider pro-
posals of accommodation and settle
ment. but no such indication has
reached me and am now obliged to
determine whether l am Justified in
using the arm of the United States
indefinitely for police purposes
Many things may come out OF
this situation II it is not handled
In NfNst ,Etl,
desire to safeguard the public as well
as all others concerned. perhaps the
most serious of them all is the feel
ing which is being generated and the
impression of the public that no one
is willing to act. no one willing to
yield to anything, no one willing
even to consider terms of accommo-
dation.
AS you know two representatives
OF the government OF the United
States have been actively engaged In
investigating the whole situation
and in trying to reach dispassion-
ate conclusion. II it is possible to
do not only in Justice to both sides
but also in the interest of the pub
lie. The result of their inyestiRa-
tions and their very thoughtful con-
sideration in the matter. has been
the drafting of the enclosed tenta.
tive basis for the settlement of the
strike. recommend it to you for
your most serious consideration. II
hope that you will consider It as II
you were acting for the whole coun-
try and beg that you will regard It
as urged upon your acceptance by
myself with very deep earnestness.
This is a time. am sure you
will feel. when everything should be
done that It is possible for men to
do to see that all untoward and
| threatening circumstances of every
sort are taken out of the life of the
tpeople Of the United States.
Sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
Proposed Agreement,
Following is the text OF the pro-
Fp6sed agreement:
Whereas. the industrial conflict
in'the coal mining fields OF Colorado
has disrupted the peace of those Sec
tions OF the state to the extent that
a state of war has practically existed
Tor some time and,
| Whereas a temporary peace ia
maintained by the presence of the
federal troops
| Therefore there should be estab-
lished three-year truce, subject to:
II. The enforcement Of mining
and labor laws Of the state.
"2. That all striking miners who
have not been found guilty OF viola
tion OF the law shall be given en-
ployment by the employer they for
'merly worked for, and where the
place OF the employe has been filled
he shall be given employment as n
miner at the same or other mines Of
the company.
"3 intimidation OF union or nom
union men strictly prohibited.
| "A. Current scale of wages, rules
land regulations for each mine to be
printed and post.
"5. Fac hto have grievance COM
mittee to be selected by majority bal
lot at meeting called for the pur-
pose in which all employees (except
officials OF the company have the
right to participate. Members of said
committee must be employed at least
six months at the individual mine
tbefore being eligible. Married men
to be in the majority on each COM
mittee. Grievances to be first TAX
en- up individually with the proper
officer Of the company. Failing ad.
I1ustment they can refer to their To-
cal grievance committee for further
consideration with the mine off,
cials. Still failing agreement the
matter shall be submitted to a COM
mission composed of three men to be
appointed by the president OF the
United States and which shall be
Irepresentive of each side, with the
third member to act as umpire
lWheneYer necessary This cnmmis.