New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-03
Shifts Responsibility for
the Colorado Strike
Tragedy.
FOSTER GIVES OUT
MINE KILOGRAMS
Operators Say They Will Not
Deal with "Vicious"
Unions.
[rrom nc TrIbune Bureau ]

Washington, May AFTER the failure
OF second attempt 10 persuade the ROCK
efeller interests to arbitrate the Colorado
coal strike, Chairman Foster OF the House
Committee on Mines and Mining made
public tonight the telegraphic corre-
spondence between himself and John ID.
Rockefeller. jr.. and also between him
and the officials Of the Colorado com
panies involved in tho strike.
Mr.. Rockefeller answered the first tele-
gram sent by Mr.. Foster, who represented
the administration both In his recent visit
TO New York and in his later kilograms.
Mr.. Foster is still awaiting reply from
Mr.. Rockefeller to his second telegram
dated April 30. a request that Mr.. RocKe-
Teller enter into negotiations 'and stop
the killing Of men. women and children
was the keynote OF the first telegram sent
by Representative Foster.
Mr.. Fosters telegram TO Mr.. Rockefeller
read:
william Greene, secretary treasurer OF
the international Mine Workers Union
makes public statement that mine work
ers waive any recognition of the union or
unionizing camps. Are you willing 70
enter into negotiations for settlement OF
strike on that basis and stop the killing
Of men. women and children? ] strongly
urge YOU to do so, and believe the strike
can be ended without recognition of the
union. and all other differences can be
emicably settled. In my judgment 1t Is
your duty TO do So"
Rockefeller Denies Blame.
Mr.. Rockefeller's reply was
Your telegram of last night is re-
ceived and ] am forwarding it to the Of
fcers of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Com
pany. in Denver, who. with the officials
OF the other mining companies In Col
orado. are the only ones competent 10
deal with the question therein referred
to"
Chairman Foster on April 30 sent
telegram In reply which has not been an
swered. This read
"Your telegram somewhat 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 author
ity 10 this humane end
Meanwhile Mr. Foster received long
message from the officials of the various
coal companies involved in Colorado.
This telegram. dated Colorado City, Apr'l
80. is signed by J. +. Welborn, president
of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company,
a Rockefeller concern. by subsidiary con-
Germs and by officials in charge of twenty
mining companies interested. including
the Victor-An1erican Fuel Company. the
Consolidated Coal and Coke Company, The
Rocky Mountain Fuel and Iron Company
and the Moffatt Coal Company. 1t reads:
Answering your telegram of last night
addressed to John ID. D.. Rockefeller, jr.,
and referred TO Colorado coal mine own
ers for reply. When, on April l6, the
Governor withdrew 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 10000 apparently
contented men. On the morning Of April
90 the striking miners IN the Ludlow tent
colony. 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 near by. The fight continued
throughout the day and several men were
killed.
Explains ChiIdren's Death.
During the battle the tent colony was
destroyed by fire. Next day the bodies
Of two women and eleven children were
diScnunred In q hnle Nnder a fent whera