The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-12-11
COLORADO TRUCE.
President Wilson's Plan Accepted
by Mine Workers Union.
TO CONTINUE THREE YEARS.

by Mutual Agreement.
Commenting on the attitude of the
United Mine Workers union in agree
ing to the peace plan suggested by
President Wilson, the New York World
gys:
The acceptance by the officers or the
United Mine Workers of President
Wilson's suggestion that there be a
three years truce in the Colorado strike
zone is couched in the language of rea-
son and patriotism. We feel 1t our
duty to respond to your earnest wish.
and we do so, as we trust. in the true
spirit of American citizenship.
IF there could have been more of
this temper and sentiment on both sides
at the beginning of the controversy we
should have been spared very dis
creditable situation BY agreeing to
substitute reason for force and to await
such settlements as may be reached
through conference and negotiation the
| miners simply reaffirm the position that
| they took in the first place. 1t is only
| the local agents of nonresident mine
| owners who have refused to arbitrate."
| The presidents plan. which was for
mulated by Il commission of government
employees after an extended investiga-
| ton. prov ides for the esta blishing Of
three years truce between the miners
and the operators, during which diff
culties are to be submitted to locally
elected grievance committees, over
which a commission appointed by the
president is TO act as court of appeals.
The miners convention at Trinidad
voted to accept the plan by vote OF
S3 to after two days debate.
The letter of the mine workers or
ganization, which was signed by Pres
ident John P White. Vice President
Frank ]. Hayes and Secretary-Treas-
urer William Green. follows:
With feelings of personal esteem we
reply to your favor of Sept. 8.
We have weighed we'll and thought
fully both the sentiments expressed In
your personal letter and the proposed
tentative basis for the adjustment Of
the coal mining strike in Colorado, the
acceptance of which you urge with
very deep earnestness.
We are profoundly impressed with
what you say and fully conscious Of
the fact that in submitting this basis
of settlement you are actuated only by
feelings Of public concern and inspired
by motives both lofty and patriotic.
The organization which we have the
honor to represent stands for industrial
peace We favor the establishment of
right relations between employers and
employees to the end that strikes may
be rendered unnecessary. Having prop
er regard for these aims. we sought in
the beginning to avoid an industrial
conflict in Colorado
We repeatedly asked for a meeting
with the mine owners with the object
in view of entering into contractual re-
lations with them, SO that peace might
prevail. Had this been done we are
confident that the awful industrial
struggle which has been going on In
Colorado could have been avoided; In
stead of bloodshed, bitterness, indus
trial strife and economic waste, there
could have been esta blished through
cut the coal fields peace, prosperity
and harmonious cooperation.
1t is our judgment that employers
and employees through their chosen
representatives ought to meet and set
tie their differences by mutual agree
ment direct working agreement en-
: tered into in a friendly spirit makes for
abiding. permanent industrial peace.
This, we believe, ought to be done by
the miners and operators OF Colorado.
) However, we are mindful OF the suffer
ing and waste which this strike has
thus far imposed and the additional
sacrifice which will be made If 1t con
tinues.
Feeling keenly. therefore, our respon-
sibilities as the representatives Of our
5 organization. we accept your proposed
basis of settlement of the Colorado
strike. subject. Of course. to the ap-
proval Of the miners Of Colorado. THE
: miners approved1
We sincerely appreciate the personal
: concern which you have manifested In
the Colorado strike. Speaking as you
r do in the name of all the people OF our
great nation. we feel 1t our duty to
respond to your earnest wish.
r We do so. therefore as we trust III
the true spirit of American citizenship,
Miners Strike Settled.
/ The long strike of the United Mine