Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-02-14
TOO IGNORANT A
Man TO EMPLOY
Miners"

Denver, Feb. 14.-One man was
killed in the Colorado Fuel and Iror
company's mines last year for every
176,957 tons of coal produced, accord
ing to the testimony of J. F. Welborn
president of the company. before the
house strike investigating committee
today. The total number killed in the
20 operating mines of the corporation
was II.
In 1912, 20 were killed, or one fog
every 175,7S9 tons; in 1911, 20, or one
for every 149,8O2 tons. In 1910, ex-
cIuding the two great disasters at
Primero and starkville, SO men were
killed, one for every 1852 tons. The
Primero and Starkvi1le disasters, Mr..
Welborn testified, were the only seri-
GUS explosions which had occurred in
the mines Of his company since he
became head Of the corporation in
1907.
The testimony relative TO fatalities
came after a long series of questions
by James Brewster, attorney for the
United Mine Workers Of America,
touching Mr.. Welborn's knowledge of
mining statistics in America and
abroad. In the course of his ques-
.tioning Mr.. Brewster declared he
thought Mr. Welborn too ignorant to
be the employer Of 5000 mine work
ers.
In redirect examination Welborn
was asked by his attorney, Fred Her
rington, whether he felt any obliga-
tions to the miners who had taken em-
ploymSnt with the company with the
understanding that they were to work
under "open shop conditions"
Eyes, replied the witness with en-
phasis. Il feel so much responsible
ity for them that I shan never ask
them to leave our mines if they don't
join a union.@
aDo you feel under as much obli-
cation to these men as you do to the
United Mine Workers Of American"
4 am Under no obligation whatever
to the sUnited Mine Workers, and
shall Be under none as long as the
organization retains its present meth
0ds.'
Mr.. Welborn's cross-examination
was resumed this morning. The mine
company president said that his com
pany was surprised that as many men
remained in the mines as did remain
when the strike was called.
"You realized that this strike would
be a serious matter, did you not?"
asked James Brewster, attorney for
the strikers.
Yes" replied Welborn.
"And yet you would not meet the
officers Of the United Mine Workers
even for the sake Of preventing this
striker" s9nas
mo"
The witness was questioned at
length regarding the effect OF the
strike and admitted that coal produc.
tion in the last months Of 1918 was
seriously eurtailed.
.Do you think this large number
Of men went out on account Of imagi-
nary grievances or threats?"
Many men left the state before the
strike was called, others quit work be
cause they believed what they were
told by union agitators; a large mum
ber were coerced by threats"
Il don't consider that any closed
shop which prevents us employing g
man who does not belong to ., union
is ever preferable to non-unior
shop" said Mr.. Welborn in response
to question.
MFR. Brewster asked when the oper
ators first ordered rifles for use O.
the guards.
Cur first order Of guns was made
between September II and 20, five
days after the first order made b
the United Mine Workers.
DO you, after rejecting the pro
posaI for a conference with the union
feel no responsibility for the tragii