Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-11-24
STATE POLICEMEN
FREED IN DEATHS
Colorado Coroners Exonerate
Officers on Charge of
Killing Strikers.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DENVER, November 2i-Coroncrs
of two Colorado counties have exon
Grated State police of responsibility
in the deaths of five miners in a
skirmish at the Col,mbne mine
Monday.
A verdict by a Weld County como
rer's jury yesterday that two OF the
five miners were slain by persons UNI
known and that the deaths were not
fclonious. today brought an announce
ment from the Boulder County coro-
ner that this decree would he ac-
cepted for all the slayines.
While the jury found the state law
enforcement squad guarding the
mine fired on the miners. no effort
was made To identify the officers
who fired the shots.
Picketing Held Illegal.
In taking cognizance of the state
contention that picketing OF mime
properties is Illegal. the jury held that
the two miners, John Eastens and
Nick Spanudakhis, met death at the
hands of State police while engaged
In an unlawful act.
Coroner T.. y. Howe of Boulder
County. who attended the inquest
after q conference with county author
tiles, decided TO cancel further in
yeStiCatinn of the other deaths.
Four women. included in the miner
witnesses, testified that they were
part Of the large delegation of work
ers who marched on the Columbine
property to show the strength OF the
strikers called out October Is BY IN
dustrial Workers of the World. All
declared they only intended TO picket
the mine and had no intention OF
causing damage.
The miners refuted testimony OF
Columbine employees that shots were
fred by the strike delegation. They
also denied throwing sticks ana
stones and declared they were un-
armed.
Says Police Retreated.
Louis y. Scherf commander of the
90 State police guarding the mine
told the jury that he and his men
retreated about 200 yards before they
fred on the strikers. He said the
first vollev was fired into the
ground. hut that when the crowd or
about 400 persons continued to ad-
vance. the next volley was sent INTO
the leaders. Scherf and two of his
men also denied that machine guns
were used as contended by one OF
thu miner witnesses.
Mrs. George kubick, wife OF
miner testified that she and at least
90 other women participated IN the
GemonStra ton. She said the workers
were carrying an American flag and
that when guards grabbed it we tried
10 protect It" TWO of the women
were wounded.
While there were no definite an
rouncements as to what further steps
were contemplated by miners or the
IF
and Boulder Counties intimated that
they would drop all action against the
State police.
Strikers Go to Governor.
With the coroner's investigation
over, strikers turned to Gov. w. ii.
Adams to effect a settlement of the
wage controversy by calling a con-
ference 80 operators and workers. Pc
titions carrying the names of more
than 5000 miners of the southern
field have been presented to the gov
ernor.
The petitions asked the governor
10 use every effort to put an end to
the hardships caused everybody by
this strike
Gov. Adams said he would call at
tention of the operators to the petit
tons and was very hopeful the end
of the strike was not far off and that
it will be settled amicably."
Operators in the north field. where
production has been virtually at a
standstill this week. indicated they
expected to resume Monday.
Meanwhile the 400-odd National
Guardsmen and State police continued
to patrol the northern field, with as
surance from strike leaders that every
effort would be made to maintain the
quiet that has prevailed since Mon
day.
Strike leaders repeatedly warned the
miners TO avoid all meetings that
might bring contact with State au-
thorities. 1t was understood that me-
mortal meetings at various places
were the only activities planned by
miners today.