The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-12-26
BLAMES OWNERS.
President Wilson Names Strike
Board For Colorado.
MINE OPERATORS CRITICISED


of His Former Peace PIan-Makeup
of Commission.
Throwing the full blame for the con
tinuance of the Colorado strike upon
the mine operators, President Wilson
has announced the appointment of a
commission of three to settle future
differences between operators and
miners. according to a plan he proposed
some time ago and which the operators
emphatically rejected.
In announcing his appointments the
president In formal statement ex-
pressed the hope that both parties
would see that interest and duty alike
directed them to use the commission
as an instrument for peace
The presidents statement follows in
full:
The strike of the miners in Colorado
months has attracted the attention of
the whole country and has been ac.
companied by many distressing and
tragical circumstances. The mediation
of the government of the United States
was offered early in the struggle, but
the operators of the mines were TN
willing to avail themselves of it or to
act on the suggestion made in the in
terest Of peace by representatives of
the department Of labor authorized by
statute to serve in such cases. 1t be-
came necessary to send federal troops
to the district affected by the strike
in order to preserve the peace, but
their presence could of itself accom-
plish nothing affirmative.
After long waiting. therefore, and the
disappointment of many hopes, | ven
tured, after taking counsel with repre-
sentatiyes of the government who had
been on the field and made themselves
thoroughly familiar with all the cir
cumstances of the case. to propose a
plan of temporary settlement to be put
into operation for a period of three
years and to afford means of amicable
consultation and adjustment between
the mine operators and their employ
ees, pending agreement upon such
terms and arrangements as might be
made the basis for permanently salts
factory relations between them.
The plan seemed to me obviously
fair and sensible. The striking miners
promptly accepted it. but the mine OPP
orators rejected it, saying in response
to my earnest appeal that they object
ed to its most essential features-name-
ly. the proposed arrangements by
which the miners might state their
grievances through committee and by
which differences might be settled by
reference to q commission appointed
by the president of the United States
II think the country regretted their
decision and was disappointed that
they should have taken so uncompro-
missing n position. l have waited and
hoped for a change In their attitude.
but now fear that there will be none
And yet | do not feel that | am at lib
erty to do nothing in the presence of
circumstances so serious and distress
ing. Merely to withdraw the federal
troops and leave the situation to clear
and settle itself would seem to me to
be doing something less than my duty
after all that has occurred.
Il have therefore determined to APP
point the commission contemplated in
the plan of temporary settlement. not
wthstanding the rejection of that plan
by the mine operators, and thus, at
least, to create the instrumentaity by
which like troubles and disputes may
be amicably and honorably settled in
the near future, in the hope, the very
earnest and sincere hope. that both
parties may see it to be not merely to
their own best interest, but also Il
| duty which they owe to the communi
ties they serve and to the nation it
self. to make use of this instrumentali-
ty Of peace and render strife of the
kind which has threatened the order
and prosperity of the great state of
Colorado thing of the past, imposs-
Bile of repetition SO long as everything
is done in good temper and with the
genuine purpose to do justice ana OBJ
serve every public as well as every pri-
vnte obligation.
| The Hon Seth Low of New York,
! Mr. Charles W. Mills of Philadelphia.
aud Mr. Patrick Gilday of Cieariield
| Pa, have most generously and unself
ishly consented. ut my request. to serve
Ms members of the commission owe
TO these gentlemen my own warm
J thanks not only, but aiso. ! believe the
thanks of their fellow citizens through
out the country. They will place them
selves at the service alike Of the miners
and operators of the mines in Colorado
! in case controversy between them in
the future should develop rircnm
stances which would render mediation
| the Obvious way of peace and just
settlement
Mr.. Low is president Of the National
| civic federation: Mr. Mills Pennsyl
vania mine operator. and Mr. Gilday
nm official of the miners union
Union Men Sent to Prison
| Muckln NfcnDnnld and IOe Bradley