Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-18
RANGER ANDA
STRIKER CcMi'E
TO FIST BLOWS
Newspaper Editor Arrest
ed-Union Leaders Hurl
Challenge to Operators

Trinidad. Colo, Nov. T.-One minor
clash between forces of the Colorado
state Rangers and tho striking miners
marked the first day of the strike Of
union miners employed by the Colo
| RADIO Fuel and Iron company in their
| southern Colorado mines.
At Frederic. Ranger and striker.
Frank Alesio, came to blows. Accord-
ing to Lieutenant Stockton of tho
Rangers. Alesio had been picketine
and been told by Ranger to dasist.
blows were struck. Alesio claims tho
Ranger beat him with a gun after
starting the quarrel without provoca~
ton.
peated their previous statement that
men who worked in tho mines today
will not 20 back to work tomorrow and
that the tie up will be complete in this
district. On the other hand. Colorado
Fuel and Iron officials said more men
| may be expected tomorrow.
walsenburg. Colo, Nov III. A.
Coss editor Of the Independent.
| semi-weekly newspaper here. was ar
charge Of Huerfano county under Cow
ernor Oliver II. Shoups proclamation
| OF martial law and brought to Ranger
headquarterswhere he was charged
charged with criticising in his news-
paper the method employed by state
officials in handling the strike. After
being warned not to print any further
| criticisms OF the military Coss was
| released.
On Tuesday last tho. Independent
importation OF state Rangers here for
strike duty. ia1-.
Walsenburg. Colo. Nov. l7-{By The
Associated Press)-Hurlins a challenge
for the president of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron company or any other man to
meet him in a public debate on the
Justice OF the miners cause, Robert
Foster. national organizer for the
United Mine Workers OF America, was
given rousing ovation by hundreds
of strikers here this afternoon at a
mass meeting at the fair grounds.
Foster In the course Of his address
warned the men against violence or
lawlessness Of any kind.
Go about your business peaceful-
ly." he said. Stay away from tho
Colorado Fuel and Iron company mines
and we will win.''
Martial law has been declared in
Huerfano county" said Foster, but
tho intention of the miners to create
any disturbance whatever. Our dght
is not to be won that way.
IAN we ask is Justice. II there ID
any ASt u NioleHce uuIinS THIS 0tfik0s
It will be committed by those who
have been sent into this territory to
help the Colorado Fuel and Iron conn
pany enforce a wage reduction that
will bring hunger into the homes Of
the men who have stood loyal by tho
union in Its hours OF need"
Foster reviewed the history Of the
controversy between the company and
miners and scoffed at the companys
claim that the reduction in wages was
ordered in compliance with q request
from the men.
Frank Hefferly also Union Mine
| Workers organizer. told tho miners
that the company claim that the wage
reduction was made In order to bring
down the price of coal was false.
1T was proved at the hearings Of
this matter said Hcfferly, by testi-
mony Of one Of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company superintendents that
the cost of producing a ton Of GOAL in
his mine was $2.64. He also testified
: that the company sold the Same coal
for S6 n ton at the tipple I. o. b. mine
which means that the company makes
n profit Of $500 a ton for every ton of
coal you men produce.
| Now IL the company really wants
: somebody to believe 1t seeks to lower
the price Of coal isn't 1t reasonable
to ask that the reduction be begun by
cutting off some OF that profit7''
{ Reports coming into WalsenburE
from all over the southern Colorado
/ field. Indicate that about three fourths
of the miners did not report for work
wages of approximately 80 per cent
! tcontinued on Page Two)