coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

vided by law, giving the niiners themselves the
right to choose their own cheekweighman.
"The carrying out in good faith the statute making
it unlawful to use or employ,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,
the so-called 'truck' or 'scrip' system in the payment
of men.
"The enforcement of the law for an eight-hour
day in all underground mines and coke ovens, as
provided in chapter 95 of the session laws of 1913.
"That all employes shall have the right to buy
where they will without interference or coercion
of any kind whatsoever.
"That all employes shall have a semi-monthly
pay day according to the custom now prevailing in
coal mines over most ot the state.
"That all employes shall have the right to board
where they please.
"The enforcement of all the provisions of the
coal mine inspection law of 1913 providing for the
safety of the mines and the protection of the life
and health of the employes.
"That all employes now on strike shall be given
employment except where their places have been
filled or where they have been guilty of violence
or other unlaw-ful acts; and that where places have
been filled, other work will be furnished as soon
as practicable.
"Respectfully submitted,
"E. M. AMMONS, Governor."
The operators' letter of acceptance is:
"Denver, Colo., Nov. 27, 1913.
"Hon. E. M. Ammons,
"Governor of Colorado.
"Sir:—We are just in receipt of your letter of
this date and hereby accept your suggestions for
a termination of the strike of our former employes.
"We invite them to return to work on the terms
mentioned by you, and assure you and our former
employes that we will conform in good faith to
all the suggestions contained in your letter.
"Sincerely,
"J. F. WELBORN.
"D. W. BROWN.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. di­
"J. C. OSGOOD."
The joint letter of Secretary Wilson and Gov.
Ammons is:
"Denver, Colo., Nov. 27, 1913.
"Messrs. J. F. Welborn, John C. Osgood, D. W.
Brown, Operators, ancl Messrs T. X. Evans,
Archie Allison. David Hammon, Miners, Denver,
Colorado.
"Gentlemen:—In view of the failure of your
conference to reach an agreement by which the
pending strike of coal miners
CAN BE ADJUSTED.
I submit the following recommendations with the
hope that they may be acceptable to you, and this
disastrous strike brought to an end:
"First. That the propositions of the coal opera
tors as contained in the memorandum of Gov.
Ammons, dated Nov. 27, be agreed to by the miners.
"Second. That the tollowing disputed questions
be referred to a board of arbitration:
"(a) The question of an increase in wages.
"(h) In lieu of the proposition of recognition
of the union, the question of devising a method
by which future grievances and disputes may he
adjusted without resorting to strikes.
"The Board of Arbitration to be composed of
seven members, three to be selected by the coal
operators, three to be selected by the coal miners;
these six to select the seventh member of the
board. If, through any cause, the six members
of the board fail to select the seventh member
within 15 days, then the seventh member shall be
selected by the president of the United States.
The Board of Arbitration to render the decision
within 60 days and its finding on the question of
wages to be effective from the date of resuming
work.
"Third. That pending the decision of the Board
of Arbitration, work be resumed at the mines."
President John P. White and Vice President
Frank J. Hayes of the United Mine Workers held
a conference with Secretary Wilson Nov. 27. Wilson
recommended, as he later did in the joint letter
printed above, that the strikers go back to work
and leave the questions mentioned to a board of
arbitration.
Among the happenings during the closing days
of November was the arrest of Secretary-Treasurer
E. L. Doyle of the United Mine Workers of Colorado
by the military authorities on a charge of
conspiracy in connection with the slaying of Detective
G. W. Belcher, and his subsequent release
on older of Gov. Ammons.
Another was the acquiescence of State Auditor
R. Kenehan in the order of the court and his signature
of vouchers for pay of the National Guard.
Nov. 2S Gov. Ammons issued written instructions
to Gen. Chase, commanding the National
Guard, permitting men to seek employment in the
strike zone, providing they previously had been
informed that a strike existed and were told of the
conditions in the field.
The Consolidation Coal Co. has put up new
houses at Viropa, Glen Falls and Lost Creek, W.
Va., and F. R. Lyon, general manager of operations
for the company, stated recently that the
erection of new houses at other points was
planned. None of these houses will cost less than
$1,000 and the cost of many will run as high as
$1,500.