not, if, by such methods as those employed at the Independence station, they could be driven or frightened away. "It became apparent that, even with every member of the National Guard in that county, it would be impossible to prevent the use of dynamite in the stealthy manner always employed by the Federation. The mountains and gulches of that rugged country afford a multitude of safe places for reconnoitre and hiding. The troops, which had already been there the greater part of the year, could not be maintained indefinitely without incurring immense additional expense. The only safe and available remedy seemed to be to disperse the radical members. If all of them had not personally participated in the outrages they had at least stood approvingly by and given their support, encouragement, and protection. "If these men were scattered, the avenues which ten years of organization and association had opened for crime in that district would be closed. It would require much time in any other community before they could gather about them a new band of conspirators with the inclination and daring to inaugurate in a new field another condition of terrorism. These men as I have said, had determined never to yield the strike. The mine owners had resolved not to employ again the members of that organization. Therefore the only employment which remained for them was that of stirring up strife, committing depredations, and intimidating by inhuman crimes the working miners. "I resolved that they should be dispersed and I dispersed them. This was done, however, only after careful investigation of each individual case. ''24 THE RESPONSIBILITY AND BLAME THE WESTERN FEDERATION OF MINERS For the opening of the Cripple Creek strike the Western Federation of Miners must take the whole responsibility.25 Whatever may have been the reasonable complaints as to the eight-hour day in Colorado as a whole, and as to the right to form unions and to adjust wages, at Colorado City, these things had no direct connection with Cripple Creek.26 Admittedly the conditions were absolutely satisfactory, and the only excuse for the strike was the refusal of certain mines to cease shipping ore to the Colorado City plant.27 When it is remembered that most of the mines were not shipping to the reduction company at all;28 that those which refused were bound by contracts;29 and that the strike on the reduction company represented a sum total of nine men out, the strike stands in its true light.30 The result was simply what might have been expected, with determined and powerful men on the other side. The Federation pulled the avalanche down upon its own head. By its constant partisan action, and the conscienceless use of its power before the strike, it paved the way for an unrestrained reaction. And while nothing said here must be taken as condoning lawlessness committed by any person whomsoever, so far as the Federation itself is concerned, it may blame itself for the disastrous result. The unions reaped only what they had sown. Concerning the crimes committed during the latter part of the strike so little evidence has been adduced, that judgment must, for the present, be suspended. Especially is this true since, at the time the outrages were committed, the district was completely in the hands of those who sought in every possible way to fasten the guilt upon the unions, but who exhausted their means and ingenuity without result. The general circumstantial evidence can be adduced, but nothing further. The people of the mining area in general, who have lived with the Federation, and known its history, have little hesitation in laying the criminal acts connected with the strike at the door of that organization. Nor will they change their opinion unless strong evidence is shown to the contrary. During the 20 See p. 18, including footnote. p. 88, f. n. 5. pp. 88 and 89, especially footnotes p. 89. 27 Ibid. 28 See pp. 82 and 83. 2o See p. 82. 30 See p. 88. 31 pp. 104, 108, 129, Chap. V. entire and Chap. VI. Section on trials. He A scab is to his trade what a traitor is to his country, and though both may be useful in troublesome times, they are detested when peace returns, by all; so when help is needed, a scab is the last to contribute assistance, and the first to grasp a benefit he never labored to procure. cares only for himself; he sees not beyond the extent of a day, and for a monetary approbation he would betray his friends, family and country; in short, he is a traitor on a small scale, who first sells the workingman and is himself afterwards sold in his turn by his employer, until at last he is despised by both and detested by all. He is an enemy to himself to the present age and to posterity. Remember the names and the faces. You will meet them again. turning gray, Remarks-Heavy mustache and eyebrows, married, with grown family Independence Mise CCD Dee, 1963. Ne. 14-Andy Bowers. Weight, 180 to 1,35 pounds. Eyes gray Complexion light Nose, normal. Nationality American Remarks Broad shoulders, looks like a Swede Independence Mine CCD Dec. 1903. No. 15-E R. Stipe. Height 5 feet, 7 inches. Weight, 160 to 165 pounds Eyes gray Complexion, light Nose, normal Remarks Single man. bas Nationality, American Hair, light. straigh light. email mustache times dresses neatly. Strong Mise CCD Nov. 1942 No 16-Ross Price Height. 5 feet. 9 inches. Weight 150 pounds. Eyes blue Complexion fair Hair, dark American No. 17-W S. Goebel. Height 5 feet 10 inches Eyes blue Complexion. light Nat, German-American Han sandy Remarks Sandy. mustache beavy large eyes CK&N Mine- at beavy eyebrows. Eyes blue Complexion fair Nose, normal Nationality, American Hair. light Ex. 40 For further information, address the Secretary District Union No. 1 W. F. M., SECOND EDITION. MORE COMING. Cripple Creek, Colorado. A "SCAB LIST" PUBLISHED BY THE WESTERN FEDERATION. 35 34 33 strike of 1894 a reign of terror was brought about by men of criminal character, many of whom were admitted to the unions.32 Non-union men were severely beaten, and the Strong mine was blown up. Between the strikes non-union men were beaten, and in one case at least a non-union man was shot, and the perpetrators protected from just punishment by union juries. In the strike of 1903 men were assaulted and property was destroyed; there was such a condition for a time that men opposed to unions felt it unsafe to be out after dark; shots were fired through the shaft houses of mines;37 and threats were made to non-union men and militiamen, of which the Vindicator explosion, the attempted train wrecking, and the Independence horror would have been only a partial fulfillment.38 In Victor union hall on the day of the Victor riots, a number of photographs of mine groups were found. Over the picture of each non-union man a number was placed, and on the back the names were written with the corresponding numbers. From the names on the back of the Vindicator Mine group two had been scratched out, the names of Charles H. McCormick and Melvin Beck, who had been killed in the descending cage at the mine. The mine owners took this as evidence of an assassination plot, but the union officials explained that the pictures were simply for the making up of "scab lists" that had been published at frequent intervals. In the raids by militia and deputies that followed, at one place a number of Winchesters and 300 rounds of ammunition were discovered.40 Under the cabin of one of the Altman union officials was found a quantity of high explosives, spools of wire, and electric batteries. Ellsworth W. Holden, a machinist member of the 41 32 Part I, p. 30, including f. n. 3. 33 Part I, p. 31. 34 Part I, p. 33. 35 See p. 70. 36 See pp. 92 and 93. 39 37 Testimony of a number of non-union men and mine guards. 38 From many statements by militiamen and non-union men. 39 See illustration opposite p. 150. 40 Report Adjutant General, 1903-04. Also testimony before Coroner's Jury in Victor Riots. This find was credited to K. C. Sterling, a detective in the employ of the Mine Owners' Association. Sterling does not enjoy a good reputation and the |