The Washington times., 1915-03-02
House Mines investigating
Committee Submits Report
to Congress.
NiLITIA DECLARED GUILTY
Different Attitude Of Millionaire
Would Have Saved Lives Of
Many Persons, It Is Asserted

AZ
John d. Rockefeller. jr., was severely
criticised for refusing to arbitrate the
Colorado coal strike in the report OF
House mines investigating committee.
submitted today to Congress.
A different attitude by Rockefeller.
tho report declared, would have saved
lives of many men. women. and child
fen in the recent mine wars.
Colorado militia and strikers were
both guilty Of lawlessness and violence.
the report asserted. Peonage of miners
was declared unproven.
"Arbitrate" was the injunction to the
operators.
Need for Federal and State laws to
prevent future similar labor wars was
asserted. Regulation of coal mines was
pointed out as an alternative.
l.. Would Ban System.
Failure of Colorado officials TO stop
sale of firearms and ammunition was
deplored. Abolishment Of the system
Of private mine guards was urged.
y That the coal operators did not con-
spire in restraint of trade by limiting
mine production was found.
Regarding refusal of Rockefeller and
the operators to arbitrate the report
says:
"Greater interests than those of Mr..
Rockefeller in these mines or all the
coal mining interests Of Colorado have
submitted to arbitration. and many lives
women. and children would be alive to-
day who were sacrificed during this
controversy. had this course been pur-
sued
the five committeeman, Chairman Eos
ter and Congressman Evans and Suther-
land. Separate minority reports were
filed by Congressmen Byrnes and. Aus
tin.
The former contended the majority
exceeded its authority in reporting upon
sociological conditions developed. Com
Rressman Austin suggested that the en-
tire matter be referred to the Depart
ment of Justice and Industrial Rela-
ti0ns Commission.
Blame Not Placed.
Responsibility for the coal wars was
not definitely placed by the majority
report. but the committee asserted:
Constant oppression and neglect and
arbitrary conduct of officials OF these
(coaD companies were prolific causes
Of dissatisfaction which resulted In this
disturbance and consequent destruction
Of life and property
Regarding young Rockefeller. the re-
'Mr. Rockefeller, large stockholder
State, has done a great deal for uplift
OF people in other parts Of the country
and in foreign lands. spending millions
Of dollars. but he has not endeavored
to improve the conditions of more than
5000 employees and has not visited the
State In ten years.
"Mr. Rockefeller is a long distance di-
rector. He may win a strike b. stnrva-
tion under the false banner OF liberty
for the working man. but we do not
believe he can maintain peace under
such conditions as exist in that State.
Not 4 Good Judge.
"Mr. Rockefeller was not good !udge
Of conditions in Colorado and knew
nothing about them. He was obstinate.
Tho strike could have been settled with
out recognition of the union if he had
desired to do so. We believe he did not
desire to arbitrate and one must Con-
clude he would rather spend the money
Of the company for guns. pay Of de-
toctivey and mine guards and starve
the strikers into submission.
Absentee owners or directors can
not escape moral responsibility for con-
ditions in and about property in which
they are interested"
That the day has gone by for resort
to violence in labor disputes was de-
clared.
"The disturbance in these coal rlelds
10 nationwide in Importance" it was
stated. ut is certainly the duty of or
kanized government to prevent. IL pos
sible. such troubles. Rights OF society
are supreme. We cannot too strongly
recommend arbitration.
'Hf these strike troubles continue TO
break forth it will plainly be necessary
10 consider seriously whether some
method OF regulation shall not be
adopted with reference 20 this 'coaD
business as carried on in interstate
commerce. as is now done with refer
snce to transportation
T.. Militiamen Scored.
Regarding the part played by Colo
radios militia. striking utterances Of the
report were:
''Some of the militiamen seized the
opportunity to engage IN laWless acts.
In other instances there Were acts OF
an Immoral kind unfit for publica ton
Men were thrown into Jail and kept
there without opportunity Of proving
their innocence. Defenseless women and
children did not escape the brutality OF
some OF the members Of the OrganiZa-
ion.
ut seemed conclusively the militia
MAS on the side OF the operators.
The sooner men armed in the serv.
zee OF the State learn that the men with
Whom they, deal may be poor and ig-
norsnt, and even violators of the law
but are still human. the better it will
ne Tor all concerned"
Strike breakers and mine guards were
imported and twelve machine guns
brought into Colorado against the strik-
ers. 1t was recited Some mine guards
and deputy sherlffs were among the
militia
Adjutant General Chase OF the mi
litfa. was said to have been "overbear-
ing with all of whom he came in con-
tact"
That both sides failed to surrender all
their arms when the general disarma-
ment order was issued was asserted
Juries We're apparently selected in
violation of law and packed against
sSStrikers who were on trial with deputy
I'VE do not find there were any com
binations In restraint of trade by limit
ing production OF coal. But the fact
arc conclusive that firearms and ammn
milton were shipped into the State.
seems strange that the State should no
have taken some precaution to con
troll sale Of firearms We are at q los
to understand why the authorities Gi,
not prevent sale Of weapons to the con
tending forces
Denial Of recreation or amusement I,
miners on private coal property. will
saloons as the only recreation center
snd refusal Of the coal comra nies I,
- homes 10 the minors we're deploresi