Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-22
bear only those jurymen know
Incurred Operators Enmity.

John Lawson was not tried for murder
In reality he was tried for having in
incurred the enmity of the Colorado oper-
ators. They had threatened often to get
him.
The judge who tried him was the re-
suit OF bill passed by the recent legis-
lature creating another judgship in Las
Animas and Huerfano counties.
The bin was pushed by the operators
for the sole purpose OF perseeuting the
friends of labor and the leaders in the
recent strike. The lobbying for the
measure in the legislature was notorious
and corporation influence was freely
brought to bear.
That Judge was an attorney for the
coal operators before he received his ap-
pointment judge under the new bill.
He had even appeared as special counsel
for the coal operators to prosecute strik-
ing miners
lie had publicly advocated the denial
of the sacred writ OF habeas corpus.
Ard yet he refused to call in another
judge to try these strike cases in tn.
very face of affidavits charging that he
was preiudieed in favor of the operators
because of his previous employment
Packed Juries, Prejudiced Courts.
These two verdicts will not stand. 1t
i not expected, even by the operators.
that they will stand But they expect
to use them while they are in force as
guide tor their subsequent iuries in
other strike cases
The Colorado supreme court l. year
behind in it, work Therefore. these
verdicts cannot be reversed until that
time. and they will have salutary ef-
feet on other trials il something i not
done at once That malicious effect j.
Just what the operators played for with
their packed iurie- aud preiudiced courts
Southern Colorado jails are filled to
~uiio'-1tion with coal miners. held on Sc
riou- hut tWmped-up chargo- Among
these ar- -uch weil known labor leaders
"a, David Eobb and Bcu Richardson. Yet
no great effort Is being made t. try the
cHs--. The men an. really being punishe,
before they have even been granted a
hearing. And there are hundreds Of other
men under Indictment. The total in
dicted i over 500. and bail in most cases
is prohibitive.
Gunmen Are Not Disturbed
Not single private detective. coal
camp guard OF company gInman has
been tried. although there were more
than half hundred men. women and
children ON the strikers side who We're
shot or clubbcd to DEATH burned or
smothcred in their tents during the
strike
Zaucannclli was charged with killing
alleged to have been committed in No
vembcr. 1913.
Iawsons charge grew out Of an attack
by gunner guards on the Ludlow tent
colony in October. 1918
Vet Walter Bells. head of the BALDWIN
Felts gtinmcn-detectives in Colorado has
l,.n.ara
lippiatt. union organizer. in September.
1918, before the strike was even calie,,.
aud long before the incidents surround
ing the Lawson and Zancannelli Charge
let he has never been tried. His case
has always been continued. And he is
the only one OF the cIcrator-' side ever
indicted and he never spent minute n
Jail.
Plain Justice Is Sought
Can American workinrmen and women
or amy other part of the thinking aud
fair-dcaling puhlic-sanction these things
or permit them to pass in silence We
do not think so. and we call on you-all
OF Nou-to raise a nationwide clamor
hat will be heard even by the operators
81 Colorado and their paid henchmen.
ordinarily deaf to the voice oi the pco-
pie. and thus bring complete vindication
To lawson and to those who are being
Prosecuted with him.
For nothing but complete vndication
i'll do
sympathy j. not wanted. Something
mnch more effective must he the answer
Of the American people To such open
disregard OF human rights. Plain justice
is sought. and that justice you can get
for the Colorado miners ii YOU demand
il in voice loud enough.
John M'LENNAN. President.
w I. HICKEY. Secretary.