Evening star., 1914-05-03
SAYS Rockefeller
IS BLOCKING PEACE
Representative Fosters Re-
port on the Miners Strike
in Colorado.
CITES REJECTION OF PLAN
TO ARBITRATE DISPUTE
Submits Copy of Correspondence
With Operators-Fixes Response
bilities for Present Conditions.

The full text of the phic cor
respondence between John ID. Rockefel-
Ter. Jr., Chairman Foster of the House
committee on mines and mining, and tho
twenty big mine harons of Colorado.
headed by j. +. Welborn, president of
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
The man whom young Mr.. Rockefeller
says his father believes in absolutely re-
sardins the mine strike situation in Colo
rado. was made public ny Mr. Foster last
night. The telegrams disclose the I'M
yielding attitude of the mine presidents
toward the United Mine Workers Of
America and also the earnest efforts OF
Representative Foster and his committee
to induce both sides OF the deplorab,e
situation to arb.;rate their difficulties
regardless of who has been hurt or which
side is in the wrong
Representative Foster. in a statement
issued with the correspondence put the
situation squarcly up to John D. Rocke-
feller. jr in these words:
Mr.. Rockefeller cannot evade RESPONSE
pilty. He can prevent loss of life by
yielding to arbitration"
On the other hand. the bitter feeling
OF the heads of the mine COMPANIES
against the union is shown in their stead
We cannot enter into negotiations Of
any character with the officers and
agents of the United Mine Workers Of
America. who are alone responsible for
the terrible reign of disorder and blood
shed which has disgraced this state
Statement by Chairman Foster.
Chairman Fosters statement follows:
In my conference with Mr.. Rookie
In \
on him the Importance of submitting the
differences existing between the striking
mfpers and the operators to a fair and
neutral board of arbitration. believing
that the troubles existing in the state OF
Colorado could be peacefully settled.
Il spent the month of February in
Colorado at the direction of the House
of Representatives. investigating condi-
t1ons MIR. Rockefeller has not been
there in ten wears. l have been over the
property and have conferred with and
examined men on both sides of the con-
troversy. understand the issues on
both sides. There is nothing in the dit
ferences which cannot be settled by ar
bitration. The demand that the union be
xHe0gnisea has-been Withdrawn. The
great question now confronting the
strikers and owners is. VIII you agree
to submit the matter to adjustment by
arbitration"
Mr.. Rockefeller cannot evade his re-
sponsbility. He cannot set forth the ex-
cuse that he will not arbitrate the recog-
milton of the union. He can prevent loss
of life and property by yielding to arbi-
tration, The great Pennsylvania strike
and also the recent West Virginia strike
was settled by men on both sides agree
ing to abide by the decision of umpires.
National sentiment ana every in
stinct Of humanity demand the prompt
settlement of the Colorado strike.
Nothing should prevent both strikers aud
Mr.. Rockefeller from placing the case
before a neutral board"
Notified of Miners Concession.
The first telegram sent by Chairman
Foster was to John u. Rockefeller. jr.,
in New York. April %. stating that Will
liam Green. secretary of the United Mine
Workers. was willing to waive all ques-
tions OF recognition of the union.
Are you willing" asked Representa-
tive Foster. TO enter into negotiations
for settlement OF strike on that basis
and stop the killing of men. women and
children? | strongly urge you 10 do SO.
and believe the strike can be ended with
out recognition of the union and all other
differences can be amicably settled. In
my judgment. it is your duty to do so.
Mr. Rockefeller wired back that he had
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in
Denver
'.They are the only ones competent to
deal with the question, he said in his
answer.
Telegram in Response.
Mr.. Foster. answered Mr. Rockefeller:
Your telegram somewhat a disappoint-
ment We were in hopes that you would
deem the situation so grave and serious
that you would give your personal effort
to prevent the further killing of men.
women and children, and we renew the
hope that you will reconsider and resolve
10 use your personal influence and au-
thority to this humane end.
That same day, April 30, Chairman
Foster received a long telegram signed
by about twenty mine presidents and
operators. including the Rockefeller IN
terests. putting the entire blame for the
and officials of the United Mine Workers.
Text of the Message.
The telegram said:
When. on April 49, the governor with
drew all except a small detachment of
militia from the field. law. order and
quiet prevailed in this state. There were
employed by the operators of coal mines
more than 10.OOp apparently contented
men On the morning of April 20 the
striking miners in the Ludlow tent col
ony, two miles from the nearest coal
mine, placed their women and children
in what they considered places of safety
and made an armed attack upon the
militia encamped nearby The fight con-
tinued throughout the day and several
men were killed. During the battle the
tent colony was destroyed by fire. Next
day the bodies Of two women and eleven
children We're discovered in hole under
a tent where the strikers had placed
them when the attack upon the soldiers
was begun. They had all been suffo-
Gated. None of these children and no
woman was killed by rifle fire, nor did
the soldiers know or have any reason to
suspect the presence of non-combatants
where the strikers had concealed them.
Alleged Threat of Strike Leader.
"On April % Lawson, international
board member. United Mine Workers of
America, and the leader of the strikers.
in an interview published throughout the
state, asserted that war of extermina-
ton would thenceforth be conducted by
the strikers, and Doyle. secretary of the
United Mine Workers of America, by
wire instructed the officials of local unions
to watch for the approach of the militia
which had been ordered back into the
field. The meaning and purpose or snch
language was obvious. Since that time
the strikers in armed bands. varying N
number from so to 400. have attacked the