Las Vegas optic., 1913-09-08
RELIGION IS dOOO CURE
BRoTHERLY LOVE TAUGHT MIN
ERs AND OPERATORS, WOULD
BE sALUTARY
MUST FORGET SOCIALISM
TEACHINGS OF THAT CULT, PRE-
LATE SAYS, ARE INSPIRING
TO BAD DEEDS

Washington, Sept S.-Greed of coal
operators as well as the miners,
Bishop P. J. Donahue Of wheeling,
W. Va, told the senate investigating
committee today, was the fundamental
cause of the West Virginia strike
Exorbitant prices in company stores,
from 10 to 25 per cent advance on
the market, he gaev as an instance.
The bishop was on commission
which investigated conditions on
Paint Creek and Cabin Greek. He was
agreeably surprised by the living con-
ditions of the miners.
"Of course we found no Turkish
rugs, but we did find fairly comfort
able workingmen's homes" said the
prelate.
Were the men contented?' asked
Senator Kenyon
Il can best answer in the words Of
Witness Griffith, who said the men
would not be satisfied untll they own
ed the mines"
Coming to the cause Of the strike
the bishop quoted line from the
Psalms: The rich man llaunts his
wealth and sets the poor man on
fire." and declared it applied to the
situation in West Virginia. He added
that the infideHty that had been
taught to the miners; that they had
been taught that the saying Poor we
have with us always" was a 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 if
laboring men were not ambitious they
would become industrial slaves,
oAh, but not so, if property owners
are not filled with greed" returned
the bishop. II believe men should
hold property not as their own, but
trustees for others, and that trustee
ship should be shown by acts"
/ Senator MARITIME asked Bishop Don
ahue If labor unions we're not organ.
lied, in his opinion, for rne good Of
the members. The bishop hesitated
until the question was repeated. then
said.
"That may be one reason; another
I is to furnish fat salaries to officials.
did you ever hear Of an official
that was worth $2OOOO2D demanded
Attorney stedman for the United Mine
Workers.
T did not speak Of aceumulations
/ referred to salaries" returned the
bishop calmly.
Attorney Monett, also for the min
ers, asked il. the bishop thought gat
ling guns, armored cars and blood
hounds were some of the things tina
set the souls Of the miners on fire.
The bishop responded that he con
sidered the use Of those weapons bes
4 governed by the common law, which
allowed the use Of guns when thi
state was backed to the wall" Tn
bishop denied having come to Wash
Iington at the request Of the coal min.
A operators to protest against forme
Immigration officer O'Keefe stopping
4 Immigrants going to West yirginii
mines. because the mines were no
unionized The bishop declared h
came Of his own volition He sal'
the immigrants were possibly CathC
lilies, but athey were not working at j
I hard9
@WeI. they pay up, und that
what you want@ suggested the al
torney.
Money Is Not Religion
"Oh, no. Paying money does no
make a man religious He must g
to church and live his religion. TAX
away mans religion and you max
him little more than an animal &c
some Of these horrible ideas Of il
fidelity and doubt and socialism worl
ed out Of the miners minds, much q