United labor bulletin., 1914-06-06
A. F. OF L. COUNCIL MAKES
AN EMPHATICDECLARATION
PLACES RESPONSIBILITY FOR COL
ORADO WAR ON ROCKEFELLER.
Condemn Supplanting of Civil by Mill
tary Government and Suspension of
Ancient Writ of Habeas Corpus.

Expressing sympathy for and pledging
support to the striking miners of Colo
RADIO, the Executive Council of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor at its last ses-
sion expressed the following views on
the industrial turmoil in this state:
For months Americas workers have
been reused to indignation at the injus-
tice and the succession of outrages that
have been heaped upon the miners of
Colorado; we have been deeply moved at
their suffering and bitter grief, but we
have been inspired by the brave, daunt-
less struggle for rights by men bleeding
mines of Colorado take their place
among the historic battles sacred to the
cause of human liberty. They stir feel
ings too deep for words.
I'm the course of the struggle most
serious abuses have arisen, abuses sub
versive of free government. Laws have
been cynically violated and governmental
agencies for law and order have been
used for the furtherance of private inter-
ests against the general welfare. Mine
operators collected private armies and
inaugurated reign of anarchy and vio-
lence. Military government supplanted
civil government and the ancient writ Of
habeas corpus was denied. Men, women
lence OF armed ruffians. They risked
their lives and their all for the rights of
free men. Many have made the ultimate
sacrifice--they lost their lives.
The cause which inspired the fidelity
of the miners and held their devotion is
the cause that has ever spurred free
workers on to service and greater
achievements-the right to organize to
promote their own welfare.
THE Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
has arbitrarily denied its employees this
right. They expressed their denial under
guisc of allegiance to the principle of
individual freedom OF eontraet-a prin-
ciple that has been the stronghold for
innumerable attacks upon efforts to se-
cure greater freedom and protection for
the workers.
Responsibility for this policy rests
upon John ID. Rockefeller, Jr.. who alb
solutely refused to submit TO arbitra-
tion the differences between him and his
employees. He arbitrarily refused his en-
ployes the only method by which they
can be free to make contracts securing
them Just conditions. He refused to con.
sent to the only method by which per-
manent peace may be made to prevail in
Colorado.
Therefore, We, the Executive Coun-
ell OF the American Federation of Labor
do express our disapproval and condem-
nation of the policy pursued by the Col.
orado Fuel and Iron Company and OF
John ID. Rockefeller, Jr., as the person
responsible for that policy. We urge and
insist that governmental forces for law
and order be used only to promote JUS
tice and freedom. We wish to impress
upon all those responsible for the pres
ent terrible and disgraeeful conditions
in Colorado the duty that rests upon
them OF establishing peace with justice
and agencies to maintain that peace.
ITO the miners OF Colorado we wish to
express our. sympathy with their suffer-
ing. our admiration for their courageous
sacrifices. and our support in their strug.
gle for industrial freedom and justice"