The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-03-02
Colorado Militia
Arraigned In a
Fedora Report
House Mines and Mining Sub
Committee Makes scathing
Document as Result Of strike
Investigations.

Washington. March 2.Z-A scathing
arraignmtnt Of the Colorado militia
for 10 treatment OF striking miners
and their families IL contained IN a
voluminous report Submitted 20 the
house today BY the mines and mining
subcommittee which investigated
conditions in the Colorado coal fields
under a resolution adopted a year
ago IN January. while scoring con-
ditions generally in the coal fields aud
cfiticizing many acts 81 the mine OPP
orators, including alleged violation Of
state laws, the committee reports
thar no evidence was found of a con-
spiracy in restraint Of trade TO limit
the output Of the mines, nor conclus-
i've proof OF the existence Of peon-
|aEe.
The strike was settled long before
the committee completed lis report,
20 no specific recommendations are
made. The committee appeals. how
ever, for arbitration In such Situa-
tlons. II declares that these disturb
anccs are nationwide In their i'm
portnnce; that the fedesal govern
ment Is the only power competent to
deal With them,
1t seemed the militia was on tho
side OF the operators In this cuntro-
versy," says the report after reciting
the action OF the governor In calling
out the state troops, and the evil
denre seems c~onciusively TO prove
such 10 have been the case. The
sooner men armed in the service OF
the state learn That the men with
whom they RAY deal may be poor
end ignorant, and even violators %!
the law. but are still human. the bet
Ter Il will be FOR all concerned. .
The recruiting OF mine guards as
members Of abe militia, Ia our judg-
ment, was a mistake. since Intense
luminosity had existed for some time
Between h mine guards and miners
ana Il wal difficult or even impossi-
bic for the miners to feel that these
men were neutral conseryatorH OF the
Some OF the mllitiamen seized
opportunity, while clothed with
the authority or the state. TO qgage
IN various lawless acts. .
In other Instances the acts were
" an immoral Kind and such a ma
ss TO be unfit for publication
In this report. There we're acts OF
brutality testified to before the com
Whit might be enumerated
men on slight p%rovocation were
thrown into jail and kept there with
'ut the opportunity Of proving their
innocence"
The committee denounces John NJ
'hase, adjutant general OF the militia
u h state. for his refusal Ia testify
Except upon condition hat he would
not be questioned by representatives
n the miners, and declares that he
overbearing to all who came
m contact with him"
Reviewing the testimoh, OF many
witnesses the report SAYS that from
he time the strike was called until
he federal troops were sent into the
Held by the president Of tho United
there was "A series OF battles
seemed 10 be fierce while they
asted and a number OF people were
killed ana wounded on both sides. n
condemns nj inexcusable both the at
ack IN Berwind amp by men at
% have been strikers. a. well
Is h assault upon Forbes tent col
by armed guards using a machine
run.
Testimony Of present and former
county officials Is quoted To show cf-
'orts ~ mine operators to control
'lections In Las Animas and Huer- |
counties, and the committee re
marks That the manner Of selecting
uries In those counties. where. ac-
To witnesses. Ia one case "a
east seven out Of twelve jurors were
sherlffs, appears to be
Igainst the nroVfslous 81 The t,a, |