August 06, 2012 09:36 AM UTC

In Others' Words

• 0 Comments
• by: NeonNurse

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

An alternate title to this little attempt to start a regular book chat might be, “The Best Books You Never Heard Of!” I’ll start with a short review of something rare or off the beaten path, then other Pols can join in with their own suggestions.

This week I picked:

Colorado’s War on Militant Unionism: James H. Peabody and the Western Federation of Miners, by George G. Suggs Jr. Published by Wayne State University Press, 1972 (Reprinted by the University of Oklahoma Press in 1991)

A detailed and well-researched look at both sides of the union issue during the governorship of James Peabody, 1903-1905. The author is even-handed in his presentation, giving credit where it is due, and blame in the same manner.

Gov. Peabody seems to have truly believed that “Business” and the investment money it could bring to Colorado was a greater good for the greatest number, well worth fighting to protect from the “radicals” who were using violent tactics to raise wages to $3.00 for an 8 hour day in the mines.  The author relies strongly on actual historical records from the officials’ involved, making this a highly useful work for anyone wanting to know more about the history of labor unions in Colorado.

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