Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1913-09-08
GREED CAUSED
STRIKE SAYS
BISHOP
SENATE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
LISTENS TO BISHOP DONAHUE'S
REMARKS REGARDING LABOR CON-
DITIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA COAL
DISTRICTS. /
He ASSIGNS TWO
REASONS FOR UN|ONISM

Washington, d. c., Sept S.-Greed
of coal operators as we'll as the min
ers, Bishop p. j. Donahue, of Wheel
ing, W. Va, told the senate investiga-
ton committee today. was the funda-
mental cause of the West Virginia
strike EXorbitant prices in company
stores, from fifteen to 25 per cent
above the market he gave as an in
stance of the attitude of the operators.
The bishop was on a commission
which investigated conditions on Paint
and Cabin creeks. He was agreeably
surprised by the living conditions of
the miners.
"Of course we found no Turkish
rugs, but we did find fairly comfort
able workingmen' homes said the
prelate.
Were the men contented'" ?" asked
Senator Kenyon.
81 can best answer in the words of
witness Griffith, who said the men
would not be satisfied until they own
ed the mines
the bishop quoted a line from the
psalms THE rich man flaunts his
wealth and sets the poor man on fire,
and declared it applied to the situa-
ton in West Virginia. He added that
iufidelity had been taught to the
miners that they had been taught
that the saying THE poor we have
with us always" was farce, and that
the miners had just as much right
to automobiles and to live in kanawha
street as the coal operators,
Senator Borah contended that
laboring men were not ambitious they
would become industrial slaves
"Ah but not so if property owners
are not filed with greed, returned
the bishop Il believe men should
hold property, not as their own, bHt
as trustees for others, and that trus-
teeship should be shown by acts
Senator MARITIME asked Bishop Dona-
hue if labor unions were not organized
in his opinion, for the good OF the
members. The bishop hesitated until
the question was repeated, then said
"That may be one reason: another
is to furnish fat salaries to officials OF
the union.' replied the bishop.
Attorney Monnett, for the miners,
asked if the bishop thought Calling,
armored cars and blood hounds were
some of the things that set the soul of
the miners on fire.
The bishop responded that he con-
sidered the use of those weapons pest
governed by the common law. which
allowed the use of guns when the user
hacked to the wall
The bishop having come to Wash
ington at the request of the coal mine
operators to protest against former
immigration Commissioner keefe
stopping immigrants going to West
Virginia mines, because the miners
we're not unionized. The bishop de-
clared he came of his own voiltlon'
He said the immigrants were possibly
Catholics, but they were not work
ing at it hard"
We'll, they pay up and that is what
YOU want?" suggested the attorney.
"Oh, no, paying money does not
make man religious. He must go to
church and live his religion. Take
away a mans religion and you make
HIM little more than an animal. Get
some of these horrible ideas OF IN
fidelity and doubt and Socialism work
I'd out of the miners minds, much as
ycu work out beer at Carlsbad, ana
nurture a wholesome religious view OF
life. and conditions will be better
The bishop denied that either indl-
yidually of officially, he was interest
ed in West Virginia coal land nor
mines.
Senator MARITIME asked the bishop
" hat he would do to remedy condl-
tons if he had the power
First of all, | would require both
operators and miners to go to church
twice every Sunday" said the bishop
II would give each bible as a steer
ing chart and then give them about
eight beatitudes and make them hang
two or three in their bedrooms, such
as Blessed Are The Poor in Spirit
and Blessed Are The Meek, These
y,ould cause them to forget to use the