Evening star., 1927-11-22
STRIKERS BLAMED
FOR MINE BATTLE
Governor Absolves Police.
Leaders of Walkout Deny
Starting Trouble.
By the Associated Press.


DENVER. Colo, November ~
committee representing striking min
ers in the northern Colorado coal field
today announced all idle workers had
been advised to remain at their homes
to avoid possibility of moro outbreaks
similar to the skir1nish at the ColtIm.
bine mine yesterday. which resulted
in the first blOodshed since the walk.
out was called October IS last.
Following secret meetings of miner
ut Lafayette and Erie. in. the north
field. last night. David Sheehan, mem
Der of the committee. today issued the
following statement
I'VE are fighting for a principle
Surely the right of free speech is not
to be denied lis or our rights as ldW.
abiding citizens. The men of the COL
umblne mine who fred on us are hired
assassns Of John ID. Rockefeller. ir,
and the miners are seriously consider
ing going to Gov. Adams in a body to
protest his sending military forces to
the northern coal fiei>s.
Governor Absolves Police Chief.
"No violence will be Forthcoming
ttom the strikers ranks. ana we Will
compel by our attitude the support cf
all Colorado citizens and the Nation rs
well.
We have stronger weapons on our
side than firearms and gas bombs
We prophesy that within two weeks
the coal supply Of Colorado will lie
exhausted and operators Will he
forced to give lis the Jacksonville
wage scale"
After reviewing reports Of the fight
ut the COlumbine. which resulted IN
five deaths among miners and left
score injured. several seriously.
Gov. Adams announced he had re-
lieved Louis y. Scherf. commander
of the State police. of responsibility
in firing on the miners when they
attempted TO invade the property.
MY reports show conclusively that
the strikers We're to blame for Mon
days affairs" Gov. Adams said.
"Scherf exercised great patience and
wonderful courage. doing everything
possible to prevent bloodShed."
Warrants signed by 10 miners at
Erie. have been made out by a Jus
ice ofsthe peace there charging Theo-
dore Pert, superintendent of the CO.
lumbine, and Bud Wyatt OF Greeley.
undersheriff Of Weld County, with
murder in connection with the death
OF lHe I'VE miners. lIcE dTe Spc-
officially charged with the deaths OF
John Wastenes and Nick Spanuda-
cess. miners who fell mortally wound
ed near the mine entrance.
Inquest Is Ordered.
Sheriff Robinson of Weld County
said Pert and Wyatt would be arrest
ed despite an announcement by y. B.
Romans. Weld County district attor-
ney. that no complaints or warrants
would be recognized except those
issued by his office or approved by
him.
The Weld County coroner has
ordered an inquest tomorrow at
Greeley in the deaths of the five men.
Officials of the Columbine mine said
no attempt would he made to operate
it today. Approximately 375 National
Guardsmen have established head
quarters at the mine.
An eyewitness report of the fight
was made to Gov. Adams by Sterling
3. Lacy. State budget commissioner.
DAY was Just breaking when the
mob of cursing men. hurting stones,
sticks and welding knives, came on
like tornado" Lacy said. Retreat
ing slowly before them was Louis
Sherf with his 90 State policemen.
pIt'tuiiS, pcSSiiIS anu SAtACdNAllS tiAC
mob members to stop.
adam Bell, 1. w. w. organizer.
gave the order for the mob to advance.
Come on boys. Let's go in an get EN-
Bell shouted. He refused TO heed
Scherf's pleas. a few feet behind
Scherf were the State police in two
lines. Scherf was cut and bleeding. SO
were all the members of his force.
Two Women Wounded.
when it became apparent that there
was no stopping the force of strikers.
Scherf issued an order to fire. The first
yolley went over the heads of the
mob. 1t did not stop them. The next
volley was directly at them. The mob
stopped"
Lacy said the invaders retrcated
when the wounded fell and that he
counted a dozen near the mine prop
erty entrance. Two women were
among the wounded. One woman.
dressed in mems clothing. was found
near the mine. Another was discov-
cred in hospital at Longmout,
where most of the injured were
treated.