Semi-weekly herald., 1916-01-11

position Of complaints and its antici-
patton of threatened discord will very
generally enable it to settle salts
factorily ordinary difficulties. Dis
putes of interstate magnitude, or
whose control is beyond the boundaries
of the state in which they occur,
should be regulated by congressional
action. Our state is entirely cap
able of handling local disturbances
but it is just as much the function
and duty of the federal government
to regulate and control industrial dis
putes as it is 10 regulate and control
interstate commerce.
| | have been unable to find any law
now in force which could success
fully cope with situation such as
the recent Colorado strike. Arbitra-
tion was impracticable. The strike
was called to unionize the mines and
neither side to the controversy would
submit that matter to arbitration and
agree to abide by the result. Com
pulsory arbitration was impossible be-
cause no law has been devised by
which awards can be enforced. The
strikers were clammoring for con-
ference, which could not be secured
because the operators asserted the de.
mand was mere subterfuge to se-
cure that much recognition for the
organization of the United Mine
Workers. Had any practical plan been
discovered or suggested it would have
promptly been submitted to the gen.
eral assembly.
To bring about development of our
vast mineral resources we must have
both capital and labor. Capital will
not come to us unless we shall pro-
tect it and labor cannot keep what
it gains except through the enforce
ment of law
The authorities must protect the
persons and property of all alike and
so far as their duty is concerned life
is just as precious whether it be that
of the capitalist, the union of the
non-union men or the members of
their families.
State Police Force.
In the interest of economy and eff
fectiveness in controlling Industrial
disturbances there should be provided
a trained state police force to as
slst the local authorities when they
are unable to control the situation.
At present the only means provided
is the national guard, which is not
constituted for police duty, and cannot
be called into service except in case
Of insurrection. Public safety would
be more certainly secured if there
were available force of experienced
officers to be called to the assistance
of the local authorities at the ont
set of disturbances. The active force
need not be great but sufficient re-
serve for all ordinary purposes could
be cheaply provided. Through such
an arrangement the national guard
need not be called into service expect
In cases of great emergency.
| Punish Treason.
| The violent disorders that have oc-
Cured in various portions of the state
within the past eighteen months call
attention to certain defects in our
criminal statutes which should be
remedied without delay. The penalties
now prescribed for the offenses of
rout and riot are in my Judgment
wholly inadequate in cases where
mobs of armed men resist or intimi-
date public officers, or, by their
tumultuous and violent demeanor,
terrorize law abiding citizens. /
recommend the enactment of laws de-
! filming and providing sufficient PEN
alties for treason, sedition and armed
resistance of the militia or civil off
GERS of the state and of the several
counties.
Rural Credits.
The demand for a better system of
rural credits having become insistent
national commission was sent to
Europe in 1918 to study the land
mortgage banks and kindred systems
No funds having been provided by
cur state for that purpose Mr. Cor
don Jones was induced at his own
expense to represent Colorado on this
commission. The investigation was
! thorough and the situation in the sew
eral foreign countries was studied in
its relationship to conditions here.
An exhaustive report was made to
congress and bills have been prepar-
ed and introduced to provide similar