Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-01-24
WILSON SUGGESTS
PLANS FOR PEACE
Presidents Letter to Colorado
Coal Strike Commission
Made Public.
SETH LOW ANNOUNCES
PROGRESS IN WORK
Gov. Carlson Has Pledged Co-0pera-
ton of State With Fed
eral Negotiators.

ress of negotiations toward obviating
future differences between coal oper-
ators and miners in Colorado. under
taken recently by the Presidents Col
orado coal commission. Is revealed by
by Seth Low. chairman of the commits
sion.
Letters which have passed in the last
month between President Wilson. the
coal commission, Gov. George A. Carl
son of Colorado and the 1872 coal OPP
orators of that state show that the
President has suggested the findings of
the anthracite strike commission in
pennsylvania as useful precedent and
that Gov. Carlson has pledged the Co
operation of an industrial commission
with the Presidents commission. The
Presidents commission also has ten
dered it's good offices to the Colorado
operators, and has suggested the
adoption of plan whereby employees
may have easy access to the company
officers with reference to grievances
President Wilson's Letter.
In a letter thanking the members of
the commission for their Willingness
to serve the country, President Will
son wrote on December 21:
The plan of temporary accommoda-
ton which l have proposed to the mine
operators and the striking miners did
not involve a recognition by the
operators of the miners organization.
1t is the more interesting, in view of
that fact, that the plan was assented
to by the representatives of the strik-
ing miners. The situation has recalled
to my mind the findings of the anthra-
cite strike commission. In that case
also the union was not dealt with as
SUCH and while many of the findings
of that commission. of course, refer to
local conditions connected only with
the controversy it involved. certain of
the findings of the commission seem to
me to embody principles which might
apply in one field as well as in another.
Some of Findings.
For example. finding w provides for
board of Cancellation. on which both
the operators and the miners are to be
represented; finding V secured to the
miners the right, at their own expense,
to check the weights upon which they
are paid: and finding TX provides That
no person shall be refused employ
ment, or in any way Disseminated
against. on account of membership or
non mbership in any labor organiza-
ton and that there shall be no dis
elimination against. or interference
with. any employee who is not a member
of any labor organization by members
of such organization
Il would very much appreciate a re-
port from the commission on the ques-
| tion whether these principles which
have served to secure peace by agree
ment in Pennsylvania for twelve
years in the anthracite coal industry
are not now suitable and applicable to
the conditions in Colorado"
Cooperation Is Asked.
The first step taken by the Presi-
dents commission was to communicate
with Gov. Carlson, December %. citing
the Presidents letter and asking his
cooperation.
We recognize that lawlessness is no
remedy" said this letter. and that
permanent better conditions depend
upon the maintenance of public order.
The industry of mining is a peaceful
industry. and it can be carried on to
the public advantage only in COM
monwealth where respect for the law
is willingly yielded. or. if need be. is
enforced; and respect for the law must
he yielded or be enforced upon both
operators and miners"
To this Gov. Carlson replied. Janu-
airy IA, that action dealing with in
dustrial relations would in all proba-
bility be taken at the present session
of the Colorado legislature.
II am convinced" the governor add
ed, that an industrial commission and
a system of workmen's compensation
will accomplish much toward improv-
ing relations between employer and
enploye in Colorado. and l feel safe
in pledging you the cooperation of
the commission when formed"
Suggestion to Operators.
Under date of January IS the COM
mission communicated with each of
the coal operators. suggesting that
they adopt a plan for hearing the
grievances of employees. as outlined in
the letter from John d. Rockefeller, jr..
which was READ by ]. F. Welborn at a
hearing in Colorado before the federal
commission on industrial relations.
The members of the Presidents com
mission, appointed November 20. are
seth Low of New York. chairman
Charles w. Mills of Philadelphia and
Patrick Gilday of Clearfeld. Pa.
PENROSE ILL OF BRONCHITIS.