Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-01-15


A strike or lockout unaccompanied
by violence is easily controlled and
needs no discussion. 1t Is the violence.
therefore, that must be guarded
against.
Surely no one will contend that an
industrial dispute more than any 9th.
er controversy should be determined
by threats, intimidation, arson and
bloodshed. If SO, those capable OF the
greater violence are certain to win,
and whatever is won by force must be
maintained in the same manner.
The trouble in Colorado grew out OF
the demand for the right of collective
bargaining, the strike leaders and
many of the miners insisting that the
individual miner was not upon an
equal footing in bargaining with the
employing company and should be
permitted to deal through the medium
Of the union. The operators insisted
that such contracts were binding only
on the operator who was responsible
and not on the workman who might
| break the contract at will without pen
atty. Capitalists have a right to act
individually or to combine. When cap,
ital is combined to do business 1t must
place itself in the attitude OF an artl-
ficial person under regulations which
can enforce contracts for and against
1t. With the expenditure OF much less
money than that used In supporting
strikes, labor might combine in sim
liar manner and give ample bond Tor
the performance of its contracts. Un.
der such plan the membership could
be chosen with more discrimination
and the organization place itself In a
most favorable position to do business.
No matter then what the dispute, II
could be determined in courts OF JUS
| tice in the same manner as other CON
| troversies.
This question overshadows all 9th
ers in Importance; it vitality affects
the stability of our very government
Widows, orphans, cripples. bankrupt
owners, deserted mines and destruc
ton of property will never accomplish
that good feeling between employer
and employe necessary for the sue
cess of both and the maintenance Of
good government. If our country Is
| to thrive or even exist as nation
all classes of people must be made to
yield obedience to law. Our legisla
tive halls are wide open to all. If they
fail the people themselves are free tc
legislate. We choose our own courts
of justice. These together with the
fair-mindedness of the American peo
pie furnish the best avenues through
which to secure Justice.
To bring about development of our
vast mineral resources we must have
both capital and labor. Capital will
not come to us unless we shall protect
1t and labor cannot keep what 1t gains
except through the enforcement oi
law.
The authorities must protect the
persons and property of all alike and
and SO far as their duty is concerned
life is Just as precious whether 1t be
| that of the capitalist, the union or the
non-union man or the members Of any
of their families.
The violent disorders which have oc
Cured in various portions OF the state
within the past eighteen months call
attention to certain defects In our
criminal statutes which should be
remedied without delay. The penalties
now prescribed for the offenses oi
rout and riot are In my judgment
wholly inadequate In cases where
mobs of armed men resist or intimi
date public officers. or, by their tu
multuous and violent demeanor, ter
rorize law abiding citizens. i recon
b
and providing sufficient penalties fol
treason, sedition and armed resistance
of the militia or civil officers of the
state and of the several counties.
| The governor tells of the compre
hensive highway system established
during the past two years, and under
different headings tells of the irri
cation suits, drainage, initiative and
referendum petitions, the short ballot
the blue sky" law, fixing date for
adjournment, urges repeal of the law
classifying appropriations, recon
mends investment of trust funds
urges support of the National Guard
recommends state police force, re
views conditions at state institutions
declares royalties from the production
of coal or other minerals on state
lands should go to the permanent
funds. tells of opportunities for new
settlers, the betterment of schools
asks vigorous opposition to measures
placing water power sites and coal and
oil lands upon a royalty basis. pays
tribute to the late Senator II. NJ. Tel.
Ter, states that Colorado would honor
itself and the nation by making him
its first representative In Statuary
Hall at the national capital, and closes
as follows:
ITO the citizens o. the state l make
a most earnest appeal. The best evi-
dence of a splendid civilization is just,
efficient government. Without 1t
there can be no lasting progress. With
II we are secure in every forward step.
Under our system we may readily
change our laws to suit every condi-
tion. Guided by experience we should
be able to choose the wisest course.
Acting unitedly we can make our gov
ernment as good as we like. Let us.
therefore, appreciating the advantage
to be gained. realizing the necessity
for active work, inspired by high, pa
triotic motives, forgetting our petty