New-York tribune., 1914-11-30
New Body Is to Settle
Colorado War and
Future Troubles.
REGRETS FAILURE
OF 3-YEAR PLAN
Seth Low, Charles w. Mills and
Patrick GiIday Members of
the Commission.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Nov. 29.-President
Wilson tonight appointed Seth Low
Of New York; Charles W. Mills, OF
Philadelphia, and Patrick Gilday, OF
Clearfeld, Penn, as a commission to
devise ways and means for settling
the coal strike in the Colorado mining
district, so that peace would be pre-
served for the next three years.
The President, in appointing the
commission, said:
"The strike Of the miners in Colo
rado, which has now lasted for twelve
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 unwilling to avail them
selves of it or to act upon the sug-
gestions made in the interest of peace
by representatives Of the Department
of Labor, authorized by statute TO
serve in such cases.
at became necessary to send federal
troops TO the district affected by the
strike in order to preserve the peace,
but their presence could Of itself ac-
complish nothing affirmative; after
long waiting, therefore, and the disap-
pointment of many hopes of accommo-
l. I off fak
sci with representatives OF the gov
ernment who had been on the held
and made themselves thoroughly IA
miliar with all the circumstances OF
the case, to propose a plan OF tempo
rary settlement, to be put into opera
tion for n period of three years and
TO afford means of amicable consulta-
ton and adjustment between the mine
operators and their employees pending
agreement upon such terms and ar
rangement as might be made the basis
for permanently satisfactory relations
between them.
"The plan seemed TO me obviously
fair and sensible. The striking miners
promptly accepted it. but the mine
operators rejected it, saying in re-
sponse to my earnest appeal that they
objected TO its most essential features,
namely, the proposed arrangements by
which the miners might state their
grievances through a committee, and
by which differences might be settled
by reference 20 a commission appoint
ed by the President of the United
States. / think the country regretted
their decision and was disappointed
that they should have taken so uncom-
promising a position.
81 have waited and hoped for a
change in their attitude, but now fear
that there will be none. And yet ! Go
not feel that | am at liberty to do
nothing in the presence of circum-
stances so serious and distressing
Merely 10 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. ! deter
mined, therefore, to appoint the COM
mission contemplated in the plan of
temporary settlement, notwithstanding
the rejection of that plan by the mine
operators, and thus at least to create
the instrumentality by which like
troubles and disputes may be ami
cably and honorably settled in the
future, in the hope, the very earnest
may see il to be not merely to their
best interest, but duty which they
owe to the communities they serve
ard to the nation itself, TO make use
of this instrumentality of peace and
render strife of the kind which has
threatened the order and prosperity
Of the great State of Colorado a thing
Of the past, impossible of repetition
so long as everything is done in good
temper and with the genuine purpose
10 do justice and observe every public
as well as every private obligation.
"The Honorable Seth Low, of New
York; Charles w. Mills, of Philadel-
phia, and Patrick Gilday, Of Clear
field, Penn, have most generously and
unselhshly consented, at my request,
to serve as members of the commits
sion. | owe to these gentlemen my
own warm thanks not only, but also,
/ believe, the thanks of their fellow
citizens throughout the country. They
will place themselves at the service
alike Of the miners and the operators
of the mines in Colorado in case con-
troversy between them should in the
future develop circumstances which
would render mediation the obvious
way of peace and just settlement"
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