The sun., 1889-12-16
sI1U sCorr AND rnp COAL M1NERs
Mr.. Lloyd Replies to the Author or the
Famous Letter 90 Dr. DePew.

Famous Letter 90 Dr. DsPsw.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The
| Spring Valley Coal Company denies the truth
Of the statement sent out by the Associated
Prose- on information furnished by me, that
the coal company refused employment upon
reopeninR the mines to the miners who took a
leading part in the distribution Of food, cloth
ing. and medicine to the sick and starving and
to the officers OF the union during the lockout,
and has also compelled the miners to give up
their union. The statement was true; the de-
NAL is untrue 1t is vital the fact should be
understood. not to make or unmake any ones
reputation for veracity. but that the public
may know what means are being employed to
terrorize and impoverish the working people.
In letter written on the day before Thanks
giving, prominent member OF the Spring VAL
ley Relief Committee sara to me:
The company are putting the men to work as fast
they oanthat IS the men they want to give work to.
OF have been refused work and ave OF those
seven for certain will get no work in Spring Valley.
Their are James y air. Andrew Bonrko. Thomas
McHuity Chris weimsr and Henry Hin. They will have
70 and seek work elsewhere which 10 pretty hard
law" In the winter, after months idle time Az
far sending relief here IL concerned none OF the
would take thing distribute for fear they
would be dealt with like these Eve and be made victims
and have to leave the place. you could do anything
to md work for me would 20 to Chicago
Confirmation OF these statements is right at
hand from the other side. In its Issue OF
Thanksgiving Day the Spring VALLEY Gazette,
the organ OF the business men. not OF the
workinRmen, said:
At the miners meeting Monday evening the do
mated ellS to help OF town few who have not
yet got work from the coal company. Six men
the list namely: A D. Bourke, Harry Hill Thomas Nc.
Nulty. Clement Lalimont Ed Travis and Chris Wei.
mer The S11s was the entire balance of the money
remaining in the hands of the Relief Committee
OF fthese men who are on the list" Bourke
was the President and McNulty the Secretary
OF the Miners Union up to the end OF the lock-
out. Hill was the Chairman OF the Relief Com
mittee, and the others active members
later letter informs me that four Of these
men. Bourke. Hill, Lalliment, ard McNulty.
tho leaders Of the union and the Relief Com
mittee. have gone into their involuntary exile,
and by the same mail comes the Spring VALLEY
Gazette stating that Bourke has gone as far
away as Missouri; These men have to leave
their wives and children behind them.
mftnS to the oI t6er osdSS old eaders
are compelled to give up their unions by sign:
ing ironclad contracts by which they bind
any com Animation to obtain better wages, and
agree to leave the settlement of all grievances
pany The coal company REFUSES pefusss u the apo union aH
any recognition In matters between itself and
the men.
The value Of the companys denial may be
sufiioiently Judged from the fact that the only
quotation 1t makes from the Associated Press
out to strike The trouble at Spring Valley was
oficiallY declared to be not strike but lock- |
out by the special commissioners employed by |
the Governor Of Illinois to investigate It. The |
anxiety OF the company to mslead the public |
Cd this point is evidence that they cannot |
afford to stand by their action in applying the |
torture OF famine for seven monthe to 5000 |
people In order to buy their labor below cost"
CHICAGO. Dec. IA. HENRY d LLOYD.