You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
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Friday October 30, 1914
From The New York Times: Mother Jones, an Embarrassment to the U. M. W. A.?
Mother Jones with John Lawson and UMW Attorney Hawkins
According to yesterday's
Times, Mother Jones is "an embarrassment" to the United Mine Workers of America. This New York newspaper, the leader amongst the nation's kept press, refers obliquely to the slander sheet,
Polly Pry which published the Pinkerton charges made against Mother Jones. These charges were read into the Congressional Record last June. The
Times further repeats, as fact, a "report," published by the "Committee of Mine Managers," wherein we find the claim made by Gen. Chase that John McLennan had called Mother Jones "an embarrassment" to the union. The
Times, of course, neglects to inform it's readers regarding the source of their information.
We would also note that the United Mine Workers of America is now showing the world just what an embarrassment Mother Jones is to the union cause by sending her, in the company of a leading labor official, to meet with the President of the United States of America.
From The New York Times of October 29th:
MOTHER JONES AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Mother Jones Proving Useful to District 15, UMW
A President ought to be broadminded, and there is no question of the contamination of the principles of Mr. WILSON by any sort of company. But without entering into irrelevant matters it may be said that Mother JONES'S part in the Colorado strike as described in the official report to the Governor of Colorado, printed in the The Congressional Record of June 13, 1914, ought to have raised doubts in the President's mind as to the utility of her advice. She is an embarrassment even to strike leaders. In the words of McLENNAN, a leader in the Colorado strike, she was thought by unionists [to be:]
..invaluable as as an organizer in the early stages of the strike, because she excited the men, but had always proved very embarrassing to the union chiefs in the latter stages, particularly when there was a possibility of a compromise or adjustment.
[Note: the above are the words of John McLennan according to General Chase, commander of the murderous Colorado National Guard.]
That is the present stage, and she is doing her best to spoil the settlement which the President wishes reached by agreement. Mother JONES'S proposal is that the mines shall be closed unless operated in accordance with the President's plan. The mere statement must startle those who think that property in this country can be enjoyed under the law.
How the militia and company gunthugs respect the private property rights of the miners.
Naturally the President replied that he was doubtful of his authority to close the mines. Other times, other Presidents. Once there was a President who said that he was prepared to settle a coal strike by taking the mines and operating them by a Major General. The army is not now commanded by that sort of President, and regret that Mother JONES was received is softened by the answer she got. It is to be remembered that there is no trouble in Colorado now, because the law is being obeyed. There would be no more trouble there if the State law were enforced.
[photographs and paragraph breaks added]
The
Times seems confused here as they appear to be blaming Mother Jones for the refusal of the Coal Operators, namely John D. Rockefeller Jr. to accept Wilson's Settlement Plan. The striking miners accepted the Wilson's Plan in September
following a speech by Mother Jones in which she urged them to do so.
From today's New York Times:
WILSON CONSIDERS CLOSING THE MINES
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Consults Attorney General as to His Arbitrary Powers in Colorado strike
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PROTEST BY GOV. AMMONS
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Says State Can Control Situation Without Federal Troops-
Operator Finds Only 1,000 Strikers.
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President Wilson
WASHINGTON. Oct. 29.-President Wilson is seriously considering whether he has authority to close the Colorado coal mines involved in the strike if the operators continue to refuse the plan of settlement already accepted by the miners.
Attorney General Gregory conferred with the President today, and it was understood that Mr. Wilson had asked him for a legal opinion as to his right to close the mines, if public necessity, in his opinion, required that step. After seeing the President, Mr. Gregory refused to discuss the question.
The President has received suggestions that he close the mines. Some of his advisers have even suggested that the Government operate them. Mr Wilson is unwilling to keep Federal troops in Colorado indefinitely, but has been told by representatives of the miners that if they were withdrawn before a settlement was reached fighting and rioting would break out.
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DENVER, Oct. 29.-"I see no occasion for closing the Colorado coal mines and imposing an industrial burden of the State just at a time when the greatest demand for fuel is beginning," said Gov. E. M. Ammons today.
[The Governor further stated:]
I have understood the President will withdraw the Federal troops about Nov. 15. In my judgment he can safely do so. The State will be prepared at that time to keep order.
J. F. Welborn, President of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, said:
The coal mines of Colorado are employing close to 11,000 men, who are producing more coal than can now be readily disposed of. There is no controversy between the coal operators and their employes. There are less than 1,000 of the former employes on strike. It is beyond belief that the Government at Washington should seriously consider closing down the coal mining industry of the State as a means of inducing this lawless element to keep the peace.
John McLennan, President of District 15, United Mine Workers of America said:
We can prove that there are now 8,000 miners drawing relief who were employed in the Colorado mines before the strike. The state with the aid of the coal companies is recruiting its militia from strikebreakers and mine guards. If the President were to withdraw the Federal troops at this time renewed and even more bloody war by the operators on the strikers seems certain.
The militia is being drilled every night. New companies are being organized. Last night the commanders of the Denver companies received orders to assemble their men and have them ready to take the field at an instant's notice. In addition, 100 rounds of ball cartridges have been issued to the members of several Denver companies.
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SOURCES
The New York Times
(New York, New York)
Oct 29 & 30, 1914
http://query.nytimes.com/...
http://query.nytimes.com/...
The Struggle in Colorado for Industrial Freedom
Committee of Coal Mine Managers, 1914
(search with "Mother Jones" & choose p.11-16)
http://books.google.com/...
IMAGES
Mother Jones with Lawson and Hawkins
http://ludlowsymposium.wordpress.com/...
Mother Jones Leading Parade in Trinidad
http://zinnedproject.org/...
Destruction of Forbes Tent Colony, March 1914
http://margolis.faculty.asu.edu/...
President Wilson
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Governor Ammons, Tool of the Coal Operators
https://archive.org/...
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The Death of Mother Jones-Gene Autry
O'er the hills and through the valley
In ev'ry mining town;
Mother Jones was ready to help them,
She never turned them down.
On front with the striking miners
She always could be found;
And received a hearty welcome
In ev'ry mining town.
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