coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

56 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
fields of the state for the purpose of intimidating
our men who are working and preventing others
from returning to work. They have purchased
and distributed arms to the men on strike and
by anarchistic and incendiary speeches and advice
have caused the killing and wounding of
many of our employes. They have irreparably
damaged us in our business and have caused the
people of the state loss and suffering through the
scarcity and increased cost of coal."
The report handed in after the meeting of the
state editors published herewith brought forth
demands that the published pay rolls of the several
companies be verified by an audit of the
books of different operating companies. The companies
referred to immediately offered to open
their books to any auditing committee that might
be appointed. Governor Amnions named three
chartered public accountants, and they have been
working on the books all week. Another auditor
was named by one of the state editors, who refused
to sign the editors' statement, and this party
also made an independent check. The reports of
the auditors were published Nov. 24, and it is
found that the pay rolls in question
WERE ACCURATE
and correct in every detail. This report establishes
the fact that Colorado coal miners average
approximately $4 per day.
An opinion was handed down the same day by
the Supreme court, in the mandamus case brought
by the governor to compel State Auditor Kenehan
to audit the expense bills of the militia and issue
the necessary certificate of indebtedness. The
opinion was against the auditor, and he was ordered
to act at once. The stand taken by the
auditor was for purely political reasons, and his
apparent desire to hinder the militia in the performance
of their duties, and caused a most embarrassing
situation, making it imperative for
quick action on the part of other state officials
and the Supreme court.
Nov. 26 a conference of opposing sides was held
in Guv. Amnions' office, three men representing
each side, with Gov. Ammons and Secretary of
Labor Wilson in attendance, in an effort to settle
the strike. It continued in session until 1.30
a. m. Nov. 27. without any result, the recognition
of the union question being the stumbling block.
The acceptance by the operators and the rejection
by the miners' representatives late Thanksgiving
day of a statement of facts submitted by
Gov. E. M. Amnions, upon which the governor
hoped to obtain the resumption of the conference
upon the southern coal field strike, led to the practical
withdrawal of the governor from conciliatory
measures and an order by the executive to
Adjutant General Chase to enforce the law in the
strike zone.
Immediately after the operators had accepted
and the miners had rejected the governor's statements
of facts, Secretary of Labor William B.
Wilson issued a statement, which, countersigned
by Gov. Ammons, w-as presented to the operators
ancl the miners' representatives. Both promised
to give it consideration.
The reason given by the strikers' representatives
for the rejection of the governor's statement
was that it put aside the question of recognition
of the union.
Secretary Wilson' statement suggested, in lieu of
the recognition of the union, a board of seven arbitrators,
three to be appointed by each side, ancl
these six to select a seventh. If the six cannot
agree the seventh is to be appointed by President
Wilson.
Nov. 13 editors representing 25 of the leading
papers of Colorado met in Denver for the purpose
of learning all the facts possible in connection
with tbe strike. Gov. E. M. Ammons told why
be called out the troops and what he proposes to
do thiough their operations. Ford Cornwall,
Thomas Dennison and A. Lamont, three men on
strike, were selected by the strike leaders and
told why they struck and what they are demanding.
John C. Osgood, president of one of the
large companies, gave the operators' side of the
controversy and John McLennan, president of District
No. 15, United Mine Workers of America,
told why that organization called the strike. The
six addresses occupied six hours. Every speaker
was given unlimited time and no interruptions
allowed. Following the addresses the editors
went into executive session and adopted the following
resolutions with three dissenting votes:
To the People and the Press of Colorado, to the
Coal Mine Owners, and to the Coal Miners
of this State:
For the past two months a strike has existed
in the coal mining industry of Colorado. As a
direct result of this strike human lives have been
secrificed, many thousands of laboring men
thrown out of employment, property destroyed,
business conditions have become depressed, the
price of coal has been advanced, the reputation
ancl credit of the state at home and abroad is
being impaired, and the public at large is beingmade
to suffer beyond accurate calculation. The
unfortunate conditions are not in harmony with
the peace, prosperity and general welfare that is
supposed to be guaranteed to all men and to ali
institutions alike under the conslitution of this
state and of the United States.
For the purpose, therefore, of trying to arrive
at a method of assisting in terminating this industrial
conflict between the miners and the mine
owners in a manner which will be in accordance