Woodrow Wilson to LaMont M. Bowers
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Allow me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November eighth. I do not feel that I can at this distance enter into any discussion of the questions involved in the strike. I can only say this, that a word from you would bring the strike to an end, as all that is asked is that you agree to arbitration by an unbiased board. This is not only a reasonable request, conceived in the spirit of the times, but is one the rejection of which, I am sure, would be universally censured by public opinion. Whatever may be the history of recent negotiations or the impressions you have gained during their progress, it remains true that what the Department of Labor of the Government of the United States requests you to do is only what ought to be done in any circumstances. The question at issue ought to be submitted to some body of men who can make an impartial determination of the case on its merits. If the investigation led to nothing more than a full understanding of both sides of the case by the public, the air would be cleared and the basis of settlement would, I venture to predict, become obvious.
The Department of Labor is acting under a statute which is only permissive, but it carries great moral weight, and I feel it my duty as the head of the Administration to back its request with the greatest earnestness and solemnity.
Woodrow Wilson
Mr. LM Bowers,
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company,Denver, Colorado.