Evening star., 1927-11-22
Another I. W. w. Tragedy.

Another /. w. w. Tragedy.
The Colorado coal strike has come
to its almost inevitable climax of
bloodshed. The walkout of the
miners, under the influence of the In
dustrial Workers Of the World, a rad.
ical organization that has figured
largely in tragic conflicts in the past
began October IS. The mine owners
established guards at the property, TO
prevent invasion Of the premises by
the strikers and to protect the men
who remained at work and others
who were brought to replace the quit
ters. When the situation became
so,lte the state was called upon for
aid for the preservation of the peace,
and National Guardsmen were sent.
The strikers continued in their at
lempt to stop the operation of the
mines. They were warned to keep
at a distance. but refused to heed.
Finally. in the face of specific injunc-
ton to abstain from interference, a
number of the strikers advanced
upon the mine entrance. They were
ordered to halt. but persisted in ap-
preaching. They began to hurl mis-,
siles, some of which struck the
guards. When it was evident that
they would not halt, and after some
Of the guards were severely injured,
an order was given to fire a volley
in the air. 1t failed of effect. and
then a second order was given to fire
into the group Of advancing. menac-
ing strikers. Several of them were
slain and more were wounded.
That is the usual course of such
actions, which begin in violence and
end in tragedy. The claim Of the
strikers is that they were 'peaceably''
seeking access to the post office. To-
Gated on the company's property.
This is combated by the testimony
Of the guards, who declare that the
purpose of the advancing crowd was
distinctly hostile. that rocks were
thrown. and that several Of the pro.
tecting force had been hurt before
the order to fire was given. There
will doubtless be inquiries and per-
haps trials. Murder charges have
been brought against some OF the
guards by the strike leaders. The
governor of the State has modified
the National Guard and concentrated
machine guns and tanks on the scene
of the rioting. There can be only
one end to it all, the breaking OF the
strike. with a sad cost in lives.
The responsibility for this blood
shed must rest upon the men who. re.
fusing to work. undertook to prevent
others from working and sought
violent means to that end. There is
no evidence of deliberate effort on
the part Of the guards to prevent
peaceful movements by the strikers.
It would have been the crassest folly
to permit a bowling. menacing mob
to reach the entrance to the property,
and those stationed at the gates were
in duty bound to keep that ,rowd at
a distance. The stupid plea that the
men were trying to reach the post
Office will not be believed. They were
trying to make trouble. trying to stop
the mine operations. to scare the
working force away, perhaps to pun
ish them for persisting in working.
This organiZa ton has been engaged
in tragic mischief ever since its forma-
ton. 1t has figured in numerous con-
flicts with the law. It's fundamental
principles are communistic and revo.
lutionary. It should not have the
least support or sympathy from
other American labor groups, and, on
the contrary, it should be definitely
placed under the ban OF distinct dis
approval by them. This Colorado
tragedy is merely the latest of series
in which the I. w. w. has been the
specific cause of bloodshed. 1t may
unfortunately not be the last, for the
radicals who lead the organization are
persistent. They are fanatics, who
are doing infinite harm to the cause
of labor in America, without accom-
plishing anything toward their OBJ
jective. the breakdown Of the sys-
TEN Of Government and it's replace
ment by communism of the Russian
type.