The Socialist and labor star. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1911-1915, 1912-05-31
Fight 'Er Over Again I
Say Paint Greek Miners
By Sigurd Russell.

again." is what the Paint Cabin Creek
boys are saying today. But the next
time they are going to win. And to
win they are willing to starye, to
freeze and fight again They well
know that if they had held out few
more days, that they would have
bettered their conditions. They well
know that they were betrayed and
sold out at the last ditch and they
will never forgive or believe again
those who stood as their leaders and
who lead them back to work under
conditions worse than before the
strike. They can never forget the
threats made by United Mine Work
er Union official on the 3rd of May
1913 at HollygTove. when he came
there with Moore, who represented
the Governor, and said to them. Il
you dc not return to work We vii
take down the tents from over your
heads" Nor will they ever forget the
letter they received two days after
tellinff them that, il rhsy did not &c
back to work thai their supplies
would be cut off"
Governor Hatfield cannot fool them
again, Tom Haggerty and Joe Vasey
they now know. And even the militia
cannot keep them from winning theil
next strike.
General Elliott told me few days
ago that all the men had returned tc
work. That the miners were satisfied
and that their conditions had beer
bettered. That the Mine Guard haC
been ousted from the coal fields, anC
that the men we're committing num-
erous acts of sabotage, such as burn
ing mines and tipples and that they
were secretly damaging property ii
general
asked him to put some of his
statements on paper over his sigma
ture and he refused to do so. Where
upon decided to 60 up the Greeks
TO find out the facts of the situation
myself.
started on the day Parsons wen1
home after 10l days Of Imprisonment
in various dungeons and Bull Pens
1t was holiday up Paint Creek. Miner;
were at each train to meet him. Men
women and children, young and old
rejoiced at the coming back of the
comrade who had made the first
speech on Socialism up the Creek
They were greeting their blacksmith
their lawyer and their fellow worker
who had shown himself true blue. Il
was the happiest day that they haC
lived since the Sell-out-settlement
Most of them simply said mighty
glad to see you back" or You know
how I stood, that's how | stand now
We will have to fight her over again.
found that many miners had beer
discharged because they were social
lists or because they were strong unior
men. That many had been refused
Jobs. and that many refused absolute
" TO 90 back to work under present
conditions.
As far as the Mine Guards 60
though they are not committing as
many murders as before, they are as
much in evidence as they ever were
and their daring md tyranny is still
beyond description.
AS far as being satisfied goes, nc
men who have to work under starv-
ing conditions will ever be satisfied
They are discounted with the mine
owners, the Guards, the Governor and
the United Mine }4orkers Union. To
them the socialists are tie only force
that can save then end that is will
ing to stand by them through thick
and thin. And they we've the banner
of Socialism higher than ever before.
Soon they will STRIKE again and no
force on earth can hold them from
victory.