Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-08
THE LAWSON VERDICT

] L a
mitted by all who not biased tied to the coal
interests by links of gold, silver paper. When
it is viewed calmly, the wonder is that anything
else could have happened All the legal ma
chinery of Las Animas county geared up and
creased UP to bring about what off. | really
believe high officials of the state tied up
that their aid extraordinarily bent toward the
conviction OF John Lawson
1t had been sworn in certain quarters to make
an example of Lawson, because he was leader
and official of the United Mine Workers. By so
doing it was hoped that fear would be planted in
the hearts of any and all who might be inclined to
work in the future along organization lines in the
southern coal fields
The more one looks at it, the less one can
figure where Lawson ever had chance. With a
hand-picked bunch to serve as Jurors it made no
difference who was kept on or let Off The final
result would have been conviction, and it might
have carried with it the death penalty. Every
legal card was stacked and marked against the de-
tense. The business interest OF every possible jur-
or in that county is tied up with the political ma
chine of the county and the latter is directed by
the big coal and corporation interests there
If John Lawson is guilty in any way OF the
crime charged, why are not Rockefeller Bowers
Welborn, and others OF the operators who admit
that they hired guards and bought arms and am
died at Ludlow and other places, and also their
guards, whom they armed and hired to do battleY
VIII the governor of this state instruct the attor-
ney generals office to begin the prosecution OF
these mem Ii not, why9
No doubt those who hate and fear organized
labor in great glee the result of the trial
and will lull themselves into fancied ease; they
will send the verdict broadcast over the country
indication OF what can be accomplished in
Colorado, and the poor old state will get another
large black eye i'll the minds OF all right-thnking
people.
Ii it is thought that this finding will have the
effect OF sencing the activities OF organized labor
i'll bettering the conditions OF those who toll they
have another think coming. The men and women
OF the cause are made OF different material. Ii
some OF them must go innocently to prison, or
even to the gallows. for the continuation OF hu-
man rights. be il. We will mourn those who
NAV die and watch over and cheer those who are
shut away from the world and their families and
there will be plenty OF volunteers step into the
vacant places. Every gap will be filled The sol
diers in the army o organized labor have enlisted
until the end OF the war, and will not faint or
desert at the first reverse.
John Lawson had no more to do with the kill
ing of Nimmo than George Carlson, Fred Farrar
CRANKY Hillyer. and they know it. He was not
much implicated Rockefeller and those
who had charge OF his interests i'll this
versy who hired the dead man and paid him for
doing their work His trial was but the result of
the demand for the delivery OF the pound OF flesh
and it can be safely assumed that when his
reaches the supreme court new trial will be
dered and he be given an opportunity before
court and Jury that will be free from the baciul in
fluenccs that surrounded this one
While labor and their sympathizcrs are deeply
wrought up this matter this is time for
action that Is not tempered with common
Threatening resolutions will do good
nor serve to secure for John Lawson his freedom
and Justice. The state and people should know
where labor stands at this hour of their great
crisis. Labor is for peace and justice and right
but it does not propose stand still and allow
its members to be railroaded to death prison
that the spite of individuals or interests can be
satisfied. This is time that calls for cool-headed
and wise action that everything can be done
that will aid in winning the fight for the vindica-
ton and restoration of John Lawson to liberty
Don't let us be trapped into playing into the hands
OF the enemy at this time. They hope to win out
BY blundcr. Let's fool them.
There is time in the future and there
will be way for labor to square accounts with
those who have forced and lent their aid to this
miscarriage OF justice But it will be done through
the right channels and along the lines OF law and
order and right and Justice. One thing is sure.
whatever the outcome. that each and every one
concerned in this infamous affair from the highest
to the lowest officially not will ever be re
membered by the true believers in the right of
labor to organize
Last Monday truly another great day for
Tohn d. Rockefeller in Colorado but it brings him
and those who serve him lust that much nearer the