Denver labor bulletin., 1917-12-29
MAY KEEP NAMES OF LAW
SON AND DOYLE OFF
BALLOT BY FRAUD.
Renew Crooked Tactics Pursued
in State Federation Election
When Return Sheets Were
Doctored; Hayes Refuses
to Meet Committee
Who Seek to Present
Appeal.


union coal miners in Colorado
there is a grim determination that
an honest election Of officers for
District IS be held next Thurs
day, January 3. Despite the ef-
forts of Acting President James
F. Moran of Iowa, Acting Secre-
tary Warren Pippin of Kansas,
and John McLennan. their first
aid advisor and manipulation" the
men in the mines are alive TO the sit
uation. From every corner of the
state come evidences that such
frauds as were committed in the re-
cent State Federation of Labor refer
endum election in changing the return
sheets, expecting thus to defeat John
r. Lawson for president, are again
about to be perpetrated in the district
election next Thursday.
How the Crooks Did It.
Some one or more officials of the
District Union had access TO these re-
NbIhH rum NHf anu
changed the figures before they
reached the tellers, and in other cases
made returns for unions which do not
exist. as in the case of Leyden and
Ideal. where about 500 votes were
cast for Carpenter, and none, of
course, for Lawson. At Delagua.
where the local tellers count showed
La
ipulators made fraudulent figure
out of the legal figure !. so that Car
penter was given credit for 421,
steal in this one instance of 300 votes
Over at Oak Creek. which local alb
sorbed Oak Hill. and has 95 members.
Oak Creek returned 1888 votes for Car
penter and Oak Hill 1872 votes for Car
penter and other candidates favored
by Moran. Pippin and McLennan, with
none. of course, for Lawson. Several
locals which cast large majorities for
because the return sheets were stolen
and destroyed before they reached the
State Federation tcllers.
Keep OFF Dirty Hands.
Hence it is not surprising that the
miners are vigorously demanding that
Moran of Iowa, Pippin of Kansas. Nc
president year ago. and the flock of
fly-by- night "organizcrs" on the staff
in Colorado. be made to keep hands
Off the ballots and return sheets in the
district election next Thursday.
Rapes Union Constitution.
In last weeks Bulletin was printed
n letter issued by Frederick local
which caused the charter to be re-
voked by Moran. notwithstanding he
had no authority under the constitu-
ton of the United Mine Workers of
America to take such action. A day
later he issued another order revok-
ing the charter of Puritan local ut
Erie. Both these unions have refused
to surrender their charters. Then
Moran wrote another ukase instruct
ing all miners locals not to receive
transfer cards from Frederick or Puri-
tan locals, thus attempting to outlaw
400 members of the union because they
publicly declared against fraudulent
and crooked practices of the acting
district officers.
Writes Scditious Letter.
The cause given by Moran in his let
ter revoking the charter of Puritan
Local No. 3109, at Erie, has n strong
taint of scdition against the govern
mcnt which may bring an investiga.
tion by federal officials. He says the
union disobcycd his orders when it
made settlement with the Fuel Com
missioner. which said commissioner is
n war agent of the United States of
America. However, Moran has shown
in the past by producing photographs
of forged checks, defrnudng miners
of their votes and refusing to meet
committees of his own organization
that he has no respect for decency,
the law or the government which up
to now has granted him freedom of
action and speech.
Following is n copy of Moran's let
ter telling the Puritan locnl members