Evening journal., 1914-07-11

speakine before the House OF Re
nresentatives at washington, on June
IL 1914. Congressman George Kindel'
of Colorado. gave utterance to many
imnortant facts in the coal strike
situation. Below are few extracts
from that speech, as published IN tue
Congressional Record
aMr Speaker. it may seem new
role for me to appear as the oeleh-
der of corporations Much OF my
Hfe has been devoted to what | have
believed to be Just criticism Of many
corporate abuses. But there are
times when a position assumed Dy
even corporate interests is correct.
"The position of these Colorado
onerators is correct. IL deserves
and shall receive my appreciation and
support. know the men who say
we cannot enter into negotiations
Of any character with the officers ana
agents of the United Mine Workers
of America. who alone are rcspou-
sible for the terrible reign OF disorder
and bloodshed which has disgraced
this State
How 10 Restore Peace.
"These men mean what they say.
There will be neither negotia'i1a nor
compromise. ! agree with them as
they proceed, instead OF II being our
dulv 10 do so, we conceive it rather 10
bs the duty of the officials OF the
Urited Mine Workers or America
who called the strike. TO Hall it OF; /;
ihav can do 80 " they see fit, and by
so doing they Will, within an hour, in
a great measure, res-Ore industrial
/ -
but this they have nelthc- the cour-
! age nor disposition 10 do.
True labor and wisely conducted
labor unions have no better friend
than /, fol- / am a member of a union
that has accomplished much good. II
is for this reason that am COM
PEELED to denounce the methods oil
the particular labor organization
which has brought disgrace, indus
tiial blight. and almost financial ruin
4 upon my State.
Mr.. Speaker, the Colorado coal
strike was not inaugurated by the
men actually at work in the mines
ror because Of the existence of any
conditions which might afford just
ground for dissatisfaction among
them.
Coal mining is universally recog-
nized as a hazardous and dangerous
business, especially in district
where the dry atmosphere is more
conducive TO the creation OF dust an6
root conditions to falls than in many
localities. But general conditions N
the mines in Colorado were eXcep
tionally favorable to the miners whcr
this calamity was thrust upon oui
State.
J Character of the Mine Owner.
gThe mine owner is neither brute
nor a fool: he will not knowngll
subject his property to destruction
nor his men to unnecessary danger
Selfish interests alone dictate con
J trary policy. Aside from this,
may say that / am personally ac
! quainted with many Of the operator
OF my State. and / know them to D.
= honorable and humane men, Wit
] entertain a keen solicitude for TN
p welfare of their employees.
2 They have done. and are doing
; much looking TO the health and well
4 being Of their men and the safety O
r their properties. That the miner
! knew and appreciated this is evl
denced by the tenacity with whic
2 more than 10000 continue to wor
: ia the face Of intimidation. violence
4 end personal danger to themselVe
J and their families.
Z 1T was the agitator, not the minel
who complained and who IA
wrought all this havoc. And TO
d vhat?-simply and solely to compt
/ the operators 10 recognize the Unite
l. Mine Workers of America.
+ And what does this mean?
? means that the owner Of every coi
u mine in the State must enter into
h written contract with this organiz7
F. ton. and thereby agree. i'm effect.
y employ only members OF that uniol
j. ana 10 deduct from the pay roll
! every such member aii union due