Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-11-21

tors, in their desperate attempt 10
crush the spirit of unionism among the
miners of West Virginia are resorting
to the vilest form of Misrepresentation
and resultant slaVey has been charged
and proved count, times by In
mine workers of state. That the
state and national lorities, instead
of enforcing the Upon these viola
tors, wink at 1T. use the whole
force of governme 10 bear against
the struggling WORKERS has also been
made plain. SIC
But Wheeling people, because they
are not at the scene of the operations
and because they are fooled by the
lying daily papers, have not taken the
thing in its full seriousness. But the
whole sordid story of the crimes the
operators are committing for private
profit has been brought to Wheeling
people by two victims who reached
town yesterday after experiences that
would seem to be impossible in a free
country.
Roped in New York.
Peter ]. Breen and Ben C. Mentz,
unemployed workers, two of the army
of the unemployed, while at the Mills
hotel, semi-charitable institution at
/ BECKER street. New York, were ap-
preached by man who told them that
he could get them Jobs. He took them
to G. w. Williams, 458 w. Broadway,
where they were given employment, /"
Breen as timekeeper at $3.50 per
day, and Mentz as cook at $75 per
month. They with Sc others, were put
aboard train bound for West Vir-
mia all of them given to understand
that this money was to be in addition
10 their board and lodging and that
the work was in newly opened min
ing camp, where there was no strike
or any kind of labor trouble.
Taken to kayford.
They rode from noon until 1880 the
following morning and were given
nothing to eat, finally arriving at Kay
ford, w. Va When they got off the
train they saw soldiers and armed
guards, and Immediately realizing that
there was trouble, expressed their de-
sire to leave. THEY WE'RE TOLD
THEY WOULD BE SHOT IF THEY
TRIED TO ESCAPE!
They managed, however, to get into
communication with union1 strike
picket, T. j. Collins, under whose pro-
lection they got to Eskdafe, where
Secretary Dryer of the local mine
workers. union had them taken to
Charleston Thus they escaped the
clutches of the coal barons, being
more fortunate than the hundreds
who are still imprisoned in the min
ing camps, many of whom by reason
Of their not understanding English, are
absolutely helpless.
Get Job on Steamer.
These two" men, however, through
the efforts of the miners, secured Jobs
on the steamer KanaWma, bound for
Pittsburgh. but they are of the usual
frail East Side type, stunted by gen
erations of undertaking and over
crowding in the tenement district, and
they collapsed AFTER FORTY-EIGHT
HOURS OF WORK WITHOUT
SLEEP! They were accordingly put
off the boat at Ravenswood and paid
$3.50 each for their practically four
days work. From this meagre SUM
they paid their fare to Parkersbug
from whence they were sent by public
charity to Wheeling.
They we're trying to get to Akron
where they were informed that they
could get work in the rubber factories
Follow LoeWe Plan.
Inspired by the damages amounting
to S240000 and costs secured by the
unfair Loewe & Co. against the United
Hatters, the union-bating West Viz
ginia coal operators have decided to
make an effort to cripple the mine
workers financially. Seven suits, ask
ing damages in the aggregate OF $3.50,
900 have been filed in the Fedora
Court for the southern district OF Wes1
Virginia against President John T
White, Vice President Frank Hayes
Secretary Perry and other non-resl
dent officers of the United Mine Work
ers of America and in the Circuit Cour
Of Kanawha county against local ON
ces of the Miners Union by coal com
panies whose mines were closed D!
the strike in the Kanawha coal HELD
The plaintiffs charge unlawful interfel
enoe with the operation of their mines
intimidation of miners. and destructlol
Of property. The suits are to be push
ed through the courts as rapidly q
possible. X
Fake Reports.
Some dispatches have been sent gu
Of Charleston to the effect that tn
striking miners are returning to worl
in large numbers. The statements ar
grossly exaggerated, only a few me-
having resumed work at remote mine
that have little effect one way or al
other on the situation. 1t has pee
reported to Governor Elasscock Una
the mine guards who were drive
from the coal country when martls
law was declared are being returne
by the coal operators This Is
violation of an agreement wherep
the protection of mine property wa
to be placed in the hands of the sne
ms of the respective counties II %
troops were withdrawn and martis
law ended. This action upon %
y part Of the coal operators IS in CO..