Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-22
State Federation Sends Appeal
To Labor Unions of the Nation
Urged to Protest Against Wanton Atrocities Being
BY Courts and State Authorities of Colorado ShoDn in
Recent Outrageous Conucon of Lauoson and ZancanneM

Appealing to labor the nation over to
arise in mighty protest against the in
justice being dealt to union officials
and former strikers hy the state authori-
ties and courts of Colorado, a ringing
declaration has been sent out from head
quarters of the State Federation of La
Dor. This action was determined at a
conference held in Denver last week of
prominent labor representatives. as an
nounced in The Bulletin. To each labor
union in Colorado. every state and GER
trail labor organization throughout the
United States. the following letter : .e-
ing mailed:
To the Labor Unions of America and to
All Fair Minded People:
The recent so-called trial and convic-
tion OF John r. Lawson. international
hoard member for District Is. United
Mine Workers of America. has made a
positive condition out of what some
credulous souls, even in the face of IN
disputed facts. had been pleased TO re-
gard a. only n theory
Figuratively. southern Colorado las
been called the Siberia of America. The
charge now becomes literal. II has Leen
proved by this one trial with others
that preceded it and from the cenerll
state of affairs. that Las Animas and
Huerfano counties really are the SIBERIA
OF America. and that Trinidad and Wal
senburg constitute its Just capitals.
Protest Against wanton Atrocities.
We. the members of the executive
board of the Colorado State Federation
Of Labor. believe that II ia time for
every sister union in America TO meet
and voice its protest against the wan
ton atrocities. rnasguerading ~ legali-
ties. which are being penpetrated in Colo
rpdo. When hnr-hest persecution goes
disguised as prosecution. we believe il
is time 10 call on all labor ana the great
general nubiic-the common people who
love right and iusticc-to hear our cause.
And when we have spoken we want &C
tion-in union and mass mecting-to
prove to the country that the southern
Colorado method OF court procedure is
intolcrablr to the American sense of
square dealing and dcccncy. Here is our
complaint;
John L. Lawson whose record for
peace and honesty throughout the recent
Colorado strike still stands unimp.aehed
was convicted and sentenced to life i'm
prisonment without what j. commonly
known a. due process of law.
Louis /aucannclli. who's trial on
charge OF having killed Baldwin-Felts
guuman-detective preceded that OF Law
son. wRs convicted and sentenced to life
imprisonment without due process Of
law.
How Victims Are "Railroaded-"
Zancapncllfs first jury was drawn
from I'll. box in fair manner II could
not agree standing eight TO four for
acguittai
lie was Immediately rushed to second
trial. thing unusual in Colorado juris-
prudence. and this time the jury was an
open vcnire Under this vicious system
the oourt attaches simply 60 out and
bring in anyone they may choose for
jury duty.
rnder sneh pcrnicious method Zancan-
nelli was convicted.
Then came Lawson. and flushed with
their success. the prosecutions prosecutors
tined the open venirc again. and Lawson
was convicted.
The trial Judge refused to allow Law
-on's attorneys to ask iurymcn the ques-
ton: Can Nou give this defendant the
benefit of the usual presumption of in
noccnce."
One iuryman was even sworn in after
Il had been proved that he had wager
on the result,
The law and evidence were in I-awson's
favor Nine ont OF ten people predicted
his acquittal inside OF half IN hour after
the jury went ont
The jury was out forty four hours and
what malign influence was brought TO