The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-09
IN TRUST
Labor Leaders Indicted Under
Sherman Antitrust Law.
Conspiracy Restraint OF Trade
Charge Against Miners.
LABOR MONOPOLY ALLEGED
Attorney General Didn't Know
Indictments Considered.
Head of Department Gets In
formation From Newspapers.

Washington. June 9.-AttOrney Gen
eral McReynolds today is awaiting an
official report from United States Al
torney Waugh regarding the indictment
on Saturday of officials and members
of the West Virginia coal fields in Vlo-
lation of the Sherman antitrust law
officials at the department of justice
declare that the publication of the IN
dictments in the newspapers was the
first word they had of the prosecution.
Usually in such important cases. IL
was pointed out, United States attor-
neys consult Washington before lnsti-
tuting proceedings, especially under the
Sherman law. 1t is believed the attor-
ney general will now begin a carefui
analysis of the evidence ana
termine whether the case, especially IN
view of the senate's inquiry in the
West Virginia fields is of suthclent
gravity to justify prosecution
Charleston. w. Va, June 9.-John T.
White president of the 1nternatlohdl
organization of the United Mine Work
ers of America; Vice President Frank
!. HAYNES and IL officials and subordi-
nate officers of district No. IL, the
local miners union, indicted by the
federal grand jury, charged with VIOLA
tion of the Sherman antitrust law, Will
be summoned to appear before Judge
Reniamin F. Keller early this week.
The government, it is said, Will ask that
the trial proceed at once
The indictments and allegations that
there is a conspiracy In restraint Oh
trade and commerce between the Uni
ted Mine workers of America and coal
onerators of western Pennsylvania,
ohio. Indiana and Illinois against the
West Virginia coal operators have
caused a profound sensation. Whlle
the names of the witnesses who ap-
neared before the federal grand jury In
the case have not been made public IL
iS Lno1yn that coal operators of Paint
Greek and Cabin Creek, where labor
troubles have been abundant, and for
mer officials of the miners organlza-
ton. assisted in gathering Information
for the indictment.
The defendants are charged with at
tempting to create a monopoly or the
labor market by fixing prices ana re-
fusing to allow members of the or
ganization to work at lower wages.
It is alleged the union prohlplts men men
from working who are not members
of the organization and that the
miners officials conSplred to unlonlze
the coal mines of West virginia ana
to so fix the cost or producing codl III
West Virginia as to give an advantage
TO the producers of western Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio Indiana and Illinois. 1t
is charged the mines in the last four
states are already unionized and the
United Mine Workers of America con-
troI wage scales and that the defend
ants conspired with coal producers of
western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois to give them a monopoly
of the coal trade in the great lake
region and other western markets.
Governor H. D. Hatfield of West
Virginia. on the eve of the senatorial
investigation into the mine and labor
troubles in that state, made a state
ment in which he said
''I know nothing about the intention
of the senate investigating committee,
as they have not in any way comm uni
Gated with me, Notwithstanding I
that I should be very glad to assist the
committee in any way L could and Of
fered them a, suitable room in the