The visiting delegates left at 11.30 P. M., and our union adjourned immediately after.
I discontinued at 12.00 midnight.
Yours respectfully,
Denver, Colo., Thursday, June 2nd, 1904.
I went to the meeting of the W. F. of M. Convention to-day. The Cripple Creek strike was discussed this forenoon. Sherman Parker, of Cripple Creek, was the principal speaker of that district. He began by relating the condition in Colorado City in regard to the mill men there in the early part of 1903. He stated that the cause of the Colorado City strike was discrimination against the union men; that the Colorado City strike was the beginning of the present Cripple Creek strike. He said the Cripple Creek miners are not only fighting for eight hours for the mill men, but are fighting to maintain the present scale of wages. He explained that it was the intention of the mine owners to reduce the wages, and in order to do so, they realized that they would first have to drive the W. F. of M. out of the district. In explaining the present strike conditions in the district, Parker said there were between 3,000 and 3,500 men that went on strike, that at present there are from 900 to 1,000 men and their families getting relief from the W. F. of M. 800 union men are working on fair properties, and 300 of the union men that went on strike have gone back to work and are "scabbing" now.
Parker explained the conditions the miners are in at the present time. Not being familiar with mining at all, and as I could not write down anything while in the convention hall, it is imposible for me to remember enough to report on this fully. However, Parker and the other Cripple Creek delegates that followed him explained to the convention that the mine owners are in a very bad way, and are almost