Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-11-20
IN ABSENCE OF
PALMER REPLY
MEN To STRIKE
Colorado Coal Miners Are
Ready o Obey Strike Or
der Union Leader Ac-
cuses Operators of Dis
eliminating Against the
Organized Workers
IRepublIoan A. p. Leased wirel

PUEBLO, Colo, Nov. 1s.-No word
Johnson, district president of the
United Mine Workers District Is, from
Attorney General Palmer, concerning
the coal strike called by Johnson in
all Colorado coal mines not operating
under union contract. The strike is
set for Friday unless the operators re-
instate all union men who desire to re-
turn to work.
The strike is said by the officials of
the union to be particularly against
the Colorado Fuel and Iron company,
which is said to be wedding out men
of union affiliation and compelling the
men who do return to work to pledge
themselves to support the Rockefeller
industrial plan.
Fearing the strike order might be
construed by the government as a
violation of the court injunction which
compelled the union leaders to call
off the nationwide strike of coal min
ers On November II, Mr.. johnson has
wired Attorney General Palmer ask
ing whether this strike could be con-
strued as a violation of the court or
der. johnson declares he does not de-
sire to oppose the United States gov
ernment but does want to see the un-
ion men given a square deal by the
companies after the union had rescind
ed the strike order
But the order calling a strike Fri
day morning is in the hands of the
heads of the local unions, according to
Mr.. Johnson, and will be obeyed by
the union men unless telegram from
Attorney General Palmer is received
before hand declaring the strike a vio-
lation of the federal courts orders.
1t was upon the testimony of two
men from the Walsen coal camp that
johnson based his order for a coal
strike. These men, according to
johnson. came TO Pueblo and testi-
fled before him that they had been
refused their positions by the mine
superintendent. The Colorado Fuel
and Iron company denies the charge
of refusing tos semploy these two men
and in a statement made by the super
fntendent of the mine, w. S. Getchell
the cause of the refusal to take the
men in the employ of the company
again was that they were members
of the /. w. W., Getchell SAYS in his
statement:
"On November Z, the date of the last
pay day, asked these two men if they
were coming back to work. They re-
piled: Yes, when the company signs
a union contract with the union.
"a few days later two well know
ex-service men came to me and SAID
that one of these men was an l. W. w
and believed in its doctrines. The two
men were constant companions ane
Red Cross solicitors stated they not
only refused to contribute to The Rec
Cross, but made remarks about the
organization.
When these two men came back fol
work after the strike was called off
did not ask them whether they be.
longed to the union-we never ask thai
question: simply said to them ~Wel
boys we have not signed up yet they
went away and nothing further was
said"
Asked tonight concerning the ar
tivities of the state industrial com.
mission which sought to prevent q
walkout, Mr.. johnson declared that the
industrial commission was too slow
and since the commission would no
sit until December 3, all of the unior
men in Colorado could be deported il
the meantime.