The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-05-06
JOHN D. SCORED
BEFORE CONGRESS
Representative Bryan, In Bold Ad-
dress, Says Oil King is Responsible
for Men and Women Being Shot
''v10LAT0R OF SHERMAN LAW
Refers to Mine Guards as Being Gun
men and Thugs and Says Law
Should Prohibit Such Crimes

by Congressman c. II. Tavenner
Washington, May 6,-"John D.
Rockefeller, in his robes of piety, is
causing defenseless women and chill
dren and Woodworking men to be
shot to death, and miners are deal
ing death and destruction to state
guards called by the tarred hands of
corrupt political organization to
make the men do the bidding of the
Standard Oil magnate." Representa-
tive J. w. Bryan of Washington made
this bald statement to the House Of
Representatives while discussing his
bill to provide for the government
ownership and operation of the Col
orado mines.
''This master of Standard Oil raises
his voice for the open shop" con-
tinued Mr.. Bryan, "yet he stands a
criminal violator of the Sherman anti
trust law of the very first magni-
tude. He has done more against the
principle Of open competition among
manufacturers, railroads, and big
producers than any man in the world,
with the tentacles of his octopus, the
Standard Oil Co., extending through
out all the nations of the world. ,
IF there had been as many kill
ings of American under Huerta in
Mexico as under Rockefeller in COL
orado, American soldiers would raise
the cry of ION to Mexico and Huerta
would pay the penalty with his own
head if he could be connected with
the slaughter even half as remotely
as Rockefeller can be connected with
the slaughter of the last few days in
Colorado"
The use of hired gunner under the
name Of private detectives, mine
guards, constabulary, special police,
ETC., is held to he responsible in large
part for conditions like those in Col
orado.~ The first report made by the
Secretary of Labor, William d. Will
son, contained strong recommended
tions for federal legislation prohib-
iting the private employment of gun
men. There is such a bill in the
Senate, introduced by Senator James
MARITIME of New Jersey. Speaking of
this measure, Senator artine said:
''The employment of armed bodies
of thugs and gunmen-private ar
mics in effect-by capitalist owners
of the mines is the great evil of our
day. In Colorado, even worse than
in West Virginia and Michigan,
these armed thugs have shot down
like dogs men and women and chill
dren, until conditions in Colorado
are even worse than the are today
in Mexico.
my experience on the Investigate
ing committee which went into West
Virginia so increased me against the
use of these gunner, and I felt so
rightly justified that upon my return
/ introduced into the Senate a bill
providing that every individual, cor
poration, or body of men employing
armed guards for private purposes
should be liable to fine of at least
$4,000 and Imprisonment for one
year. That bill was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor,
and there it seems to sleep the sleep
of the righteous and the just.
IF this bill had been reported and
passed, in my Judgment the unfor-
tunate conditions which have pre-
vailed in Colorado could not have ex-
listed. Those who have not been in
close contact and seen and left the
atmosphere that seems to be sur
charged with the evil of the employ.
ment of these armed ibrutes can hard.
ly appreciate the situation. In West
Virginia for time it deprived the
people of the right of constitutional
government, and today in Colorado II
has done even worse.
1.-THE elimination of government
by gunner depends on the passage
of some such list as I have proposed
prohibiting private mine owner.
from enlisting in their service gun
men and thugs, calling them min.
guards, and using them to beat up
terrorize, harass and murder striker,
and their women and children
Band Cleared $61
At the hand reh "a rsal hold 1ao