The chronicle=news., 1914-11-14
STRIKE HAS NOT
HAmPERED OPERATIONS

(COntihusd from paGs IL
made it clear to state officials and
others with whom he talked, that
unless the coal companies .recog-
nized the union strike would be
called.
Fighting for the Open Shop.
Recognition of the union would
have involved making contract
with it providing for the employ
ment of none but members of the
union, and requiring us to collect
for 1t all dues. fines and assessments
levied by it against the workmen.
I'VE knew that but few OF our
employees were members Of the union
aud that the very large majority OF
them did not want to join It,
Had we been willing to disregard
their wishes and by contracting
with the union. require them to
join it il they remained in our en-
ploy, very large proportion of the
men would have left our service and
sought other fields.
They had come to Colorado be-
cause Of the existence OF open shop
conditions. as we'll as the high wages
paid. and they would not have re-
NAMED here had 1t been necessary
to submit to the domination of the
United Mine Workers organization.
The laws were being complied
with. and the earnings of miners.
which averaged about 81 per day,
and at many mines much more, were
better than the best in other states.
I'm August. 1918. the coal mine
employees of the state numbered 49,
,O5S: in September they numbered
'12.S46. Not over 10 per cent Of
these men belonged to the union.
promptly responded to the strike
Icall vW
"A somewhat greater number left
the state Immediately preceding the
strike and during the first few weeks
of its progress to avoid participation
in 1t: and the intimidation that be-
gan even before the strike. caused
many more to give up their places.
Hundreds of these men came to
our superintendent expressing re-
grct at being forced to leave and de-
claring their intention OF returning
when they could safely do SO.
Many OF them showed written
evidence of the threats of death and
violence to themselves and families
that prompted and justified their ac-
tion. Sixty-two per cent OF all the
men remained at work, and the mum.
Der working was never smaller than
this.
Importation Of Fire Arms.
"A large quantity OF arms and ana-
munition had been bought and ship
ped to the southern coal fields by
strike leaders. This was hut the be-
ginning of an almost continuous
movement OF firearms into the dis
itrict, and within a short time after
the strike took effect. from 1.5O0 to
. 900 OF the strike element were
fully armed in that part of Colorado.
The purpose of the strike lead
ers in thus arming themselves and
their followers was obvious to the
operators, and they employed NUM-
ber Of guards at each Of their mines
for the protection Of their workmen
and property. The necessity for this
action was frequently demonstrated
nefore the workers were called out.
| The men assigned to this protective
work were selected with the utmost
care and after d thorough investiga-
tion as to their experience. habits
and efficiency as peace officers.
"On September - the marshal at
cur Segundo coke oven camp. while
arresting some strikers in an orderly
manner for attempted destruction OF
property, was ambushed and killed
by one of their number.
This marked the beginning OF
reign of terror which continued al
most without interruption for five
weeks. reaching its climax at the enc
of October. and ending only on thu
arrival OF the state militia.
Anarchy In its worst form, II