ABSTRACT
The miners employed by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company have been offered what is called an "Industrial Representation Plan". It provides that the workers shall elect annually men chosen from amongst themselves to represent them. At the call of the president of the company the elected representatives of the workers are to meet an equal number of representatives appointed by the company management. There are to be committees on Industrial Cooperation and Conciliation; on Safety and Accidents; on Sanitation, Health and Housing; on Recreation and Education. These joint committees are to be available at any time for consultation with the management. They have also the power of raising questions within their jurisdiction. The first requirement of any representative government is the safety and independence of the representative. Without genuine representation there can be no collective bargaining. The men have no one free to fight their case for them.
