El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-09
STRIKEBREAKER5
MAY JOIN UNION
Coal Miners Open Gates as
Result of Calling Off
Colorado Strike.

Denver. Colo, Dec, 9.-Strike break
orc now working in the Colorado coal
mines will be given an opportunity TO
foiD the United Mines Workers Of
America now that the strike has been
called off, according to John R Lawson
Colorado member of the executive board
of the organization. Mr.. Lawson SAID
TODAY that many of the miners rough
into the state by the operators Hdu O9Sa
for some time anxious TO JON InS
strikers. but that the Organizatlon had
not thought it wise to encourage IheHl
"Tbe calling off of the strike leaves
US in a position to demand the ENFORCE
ment of the statute permllIins III .
to belong to the union, SAID lawson
I'VE are in an infinitely stronger posi-
+ioD than we were ten years ago Ihen
the miners refused to call off the strike,
and the men who had TO go pack 10
work to support their families either
left the state or gave up thelr union
stiII Pay Benefits.
A convention of district 10, United
Mine Workers, late TUESDAY night
voted call the strike off, effective De-
cember 10. The tent colonies will be
continued for the present, according
to Lawson.
.The tents belong to the union" he
explained, "but they are the only homes
the men have, and they will be loaned
to them until they are able to secure
work.
aThe strikers were paid their bene-
fits last Saturday and they will be
paid next Saturday. In fact, those who
are unable to secure work Will be sup
ported indefinitely by the union. OF
course, we will not continue to pay
benefits to men who may refuse to try
to get employment. 1t is not true that
the amount of the weekly benefit has
been reduced" q
Operator Issues Statement.
J. F, WellbOrn, president of the Colo
rado Fuel and Iron company, issued
today q formal statement on the termi-
! nation of the strike. 1t follows:
The calling off Of the strike, now
almost Is months Did, is naturally a
cause for general satisfaction. 1t must
however, be borne in mind that:
"First-The general trade conditions
make it impossible for the mining corn-
panies to give immediate or early en-
plOyment to all of the strikers who
have not been connected with any viO-
lence. though We will reemploy such
men as fast as vacancies occur or i'm
proved trade conditions make 1t pos
sible.
LawIess Element Armed.
"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 is either
! fully armed or has arms hidden away IN
convenient places.
"Fourth-The lawless and the mis-
! guided alike viii not relish the idea Of
J having their relief. small though it haS
been, cut off in midwinter.
Need of Military Protection.
eFifth-The tent colonies remain al
the strategic points and are occupied
by the lawless socalIed strikers, whose
resentment toward the men at work
will be even keener after being for
saken by the strike leaders than 1t has
been heretofore.
These conditions make II very wi
dent that for a time, at least, the large
- army of wOrkmen-to say nothing OF
I the mining prpperties-must have tins
! protection of military forces, either OF
Z the state or nation"