The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-05-23
PRIVATE ARMIES A MENACE.

PRIVATE ARMIES MENACE. - !
What an insight we are getting of the power Of
privilege in Ordinarily public opin
ion would the action of the Colorado miners in
defending themselves with against the militia of
that state. Law and order come frst!" How often
have heard this cry raised when indignant working
resorted force in attempt to obtain redress
of their grievances The provocaton the injustice done
to workngmen; the abuse of the law; the Of Off
Gals institutions of the by the rich and
powerful crush labor all forgotten in the de-
mand for the restoration of claw and order''.
1t different after the battle OF Ludlow in Color
ado. People to have clearer vision nowadays.
The daily newspapers lightly the ''lawless'
conduct of the striking miners, and vehementy attack
Rockefeller his associates for subjugatng
eminent of Colorado and using to disregard the laws
of the state and to destroy every vesage of human
rights therein. ::
The resistance offered by that band of heroic min
in Colorado, when their homes, though only tents
were destroyed and their loved massacred by
under of the mine owners but clothed in the
livery of the state has been condoned in the spirit that
resistance to tyranny Is obedience to Cod" higher
law prompts and justi6es in defending, with
their lives that which they hold sacredtheir homes
and their families.
1t costly experience but like ali such it has
It's moral We learning, perhaps rather late that
not safe In government of people possessing demo-
cratic ideals to delegate the states police authority
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
accompanying evils of tyranny and oppression. 49,
Mine guards, special police. deputy sheritfs by
what other names they are known, when sworn in as
officers by the constituted authorities state
but employed and paid by private interests
to free society. There is no law they bound to
respect but the law of property the particular prop
ery they are employed to guard Laws pertaining to
personal rights safety of persons and such ruthless
y violated usually with the sanction employers
and the authorities who clothed them with police power
Tho voinSro
an army of such officers in their employ times of
industrial tranquility they do little mischief
when strikes they an armed force about
their employers ready to do their bidding pro-
tect all lives and all property but the particular prop
ery owned controlled by the interests which employ
them In the iron mine strike of 1907 the type
of men used in Colorado engaged by the officials
of the Steel Trust to 'guard'' their property They
employed only in lesser degree the tactics
have recently been used in Colorado.
This type of used during the copper strike
in Michigan and during the coal strike in Vir
slnla. Wherever they were employed blood was shed
the least provocations and their crimes gen.
orally overlooked because they serving capa
city of peace officers" Not until committee
investigated the condition of affairs in West Virginia
did the people really know how the police authority Of
the state was being abused by private police.
One of the committee, Senator MARITIME Of New Jer-
sey quick to observe the of all violence
West Virginia. 1t was everywhere traced to the mine
guards and when he returned Washington he intro
duced bill in the senate which If passed will
unlawful any corporation doing interstate business
to employ private police This is good BILL and it
should be speedily passed.
corporations special protection at any, time
and if they their full share the support
Of government they should be given the same police
protection by the state that guaranteed who live
within its borders-no and less. 1t strikes us
that this question is fundamental In any event the
police authority of the state should delegated
to private agencies state that thus delegates it's
functions is unworthy of place in democratic govern
ment.