Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1912-12-12
REPORT MADE PUBLIC.
NINE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
SUBMIT FiNDXscs.
Condemns Mine Guard System, Dc
plores Violence BY Miners, Urges
Workmen's Compensation Law.

Wofkmen's compensation Law.
Charleston. Condition under which
the West Virginia miner is required to
live, the guard system and the effort
of the union miner to coerce his nom
union brother, as well as the wage
conditions existing in the Paint and
Cabin Greek fields, together with sug-
gestions for remedial legislation, are
embodied in the report Of the mining
investigation committee made to Gov.
William E. Glasscock.
The committee, comprised OF Bishop
p. j. Donohue, of Wheeling; State Tax
Commissioner Fred o. Blue and Capt.
s. l.. Walker, of Fayetteville, was APP
pointed by Gov Glasscock in Septem-
Der, with instructions to investigate
mining conditions in genral. especially
In the Cabin Creek strike field, and to
recommend such legislation deemed
advisable to prevent recurrence of
the labor troubles which have existed
in the Kanawha coal field since last
April
From September 8 to November 10
the committee was engaged In the in
spection of the physical conditions OF
mining plants and communities and
the taking OF testimony from opera
tors and miners alike At the very in
ception of the report the committee
bitterly arraigns the guard system"
through which the operators imported
armed guards into the strike field.
From the cloud of witnesses and
the mass of testimony figuring In the
hearings" says the report. there
energies clearly and Enthusiastically the
fact that these guards, while person
ally brave men, openly. recklessly and
fiagrantly violated, in respect to the
miners on Paint Greek and Cabin
Creek, the rights guaranteed by
natural justice and the constitution to
every citizen, howsoever lowIy his con-
dition and estate.
The main cause of the strike, accord
ing to the. report of the committee,
arises from the efforts of the United
Mine Workers to organize the chain
of mines on the two creeks.
In a general summing up the COM
mission says:
That the operators in the state are
within their rights in declining to
recognize a union which would place
them in a helpless minority when join
ed with four other competitive states,
but that the miners have the right to
organize for their mutual benefit pro-
lection and general welfare.
That there has been an overcharge
in some Of the company stores.
That a disinterested individual
should decide on questions of docking.
That the miners are wrong in re-
sorting to threats and violence.
That they are culpable in seeking to
wantonly destroy the property of the
operators.
That the guard system recently
maintained is vicious and bad.
That infiammatory speeches predi-
Gated upon charges having no founda-
ton of fact should be stopped and the
violators punished.
That the governor be given the pow
er to compel local peace officers in dis
turbed districts to perform their duty
under the law.
That workmen's compensation law
should be enacted.
That reasonable safeguards should
be thrown about the men who toll in
the mines.
That legislations closely analogous
TO the Canadian industrial disputes
act of 1907 should be enacted.
Joseph Gray, of Elizabeth, senator
elect and candidate for president Of
the senate, has announced that he will
introduce bill at the next session of
the legislature having for its purpose
the prohibition of the sale Of cigarettes