strikers. But if this proclamation were enforced, the management of the Portland mine could be arrested for giving employment to members of the Federation who were up in rebellion against the State of Colorado. Under Article 45, James F. Bums, president of the Portland Mine, and his associates in the management could be sentenced to death. But as the court martial could order any other punishment it saw fit, it would instead merely close down the mine, and put a military guard at the property.
In this way over 500 men who had helped to support the strikers would themselves be rendered destitute and forced to ask aid of the Federation. It was hoped the Federation could not stand this additional drain and would thus be forced to give up the struggle.
But everything was so quiet in the gold camp Aat even the reckless General Bell did not immediately dare to carry out this outrageous plan.