The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-06
nois, West Virginia and Maryland came
out ON strIkn

nois. West Virginia and Maryland came
out on strike.
AT the timo the convention was held
tho miners of the Georges Creek and
Cumberland. Md, coal fields wero not
organized. l was sent direct from the
convention into the Georges Creek re-
gion for tho purpose of organizing
them. and. If possible, bringing them
into the general strike movement. In
my efforts to organize the miners l
was met with the pronounced opposi-
tion or the great bulk OF the local
newspapers. which We're dominated by
the coal operators Articles were writ
ten, signed by old Timer" "Old
Miner and similar nom de plunes and
published In the local papers denounc-
Ing me as being coal operator from
the Cleartcld regions having large
stocks OF coal at the Lakes and other
points. and seeking to induce the Cum
terland miners to coRe out on strike
In order that the value of that coal
might be enhanced. Special trains
We're employed TO carry those papers
INTO the mining camps and to distribute
thcm TO the miners The statement
was lie out of the whole cloth. had
always been too poor to own anything
but the few sticks OF furniture mar
constituted a miners household eff
fccts
Proud of nig Record.
~ might have had the effect of dis
crediting me with the miners, VIII CHI
the coal companies desired, but for The
iact that I was able to show the hard
pony cal!ouses or my hands that could
only come from the long continued use
OF the PICK. AS IL was !trcacted. and
the miners went on strike have
always been proud OF my record in that
strike. and l know that IL Will bear
me closest scrutiny and investigation.
u Is true tnat an Injunction was is
s"eo restraining myself and others
from doing certain things: Il is true
'"at was arrested, charged with con-
sp!Facy. The facts are these: on Nav
~ 1921. the courts Of Allegheny Coun
-, Ma. issued restraining order en-
Joining myself and others from doing
thosc th!ngs which are usually includ-
ed IN the injunctive process in labor
disputes. On the 22d day OF Nav. n
copy or the Injunction was served on
me. on the oith was cited to appcar
ana snow cause why l should not be
ne!o IN contempt. and on the 26th and
z'th or May ! was tried for contempt
before Judge Hoffman and Judge Bovd
over the protest OF my lawyers. the
court let down the bars. accepting evil
ochce OF my actions prior to the issu-
ahce OF the Injunction OF the court
ana after the citation for contempt.
Notwithstanding this fact, I was ac-
quilted OF contempt Immediately fol-
lowing that. charge was made that
was conspiring with the coal miners
or the Georges Creek coal region to
stop the mines OF the coal companies.
was standing at the station In Iona
a ff,fF
from Frostburs, on which I expected n
messenger When the train pulled in,
SSher!iI King stepped off and invited mo
INTO the train for n private talk.
Plnccd Under Arrest.
AS the train always stopped n few
minutes at Homecoming. l complied
When we got on the train ne said ne
had warrant for my arrest charg-
inG conspiracy. asked hi INTO read It.
which he did
BY the time tho train was In mo-
ton. and l WAS taken to Piedmont.
W. Va, and from there to Cumberland,
Nd where | was placed in Jail None
or my friends among the coal miners
knew of my arrest.
The next day, when they learned of
1t. they came down to Cumberland, got
me before justice of the peace where
they gave bond for me In the sum OF
$500 for appearance at court When
the strike was over returned to Penn
sYlvania. Because OF my activities In
the strike, was unable to obtain en-
ploymcnt either in the Clearheld re-
zion or any other portion of Penn
sylvania. except In the winter time In
small mines operated for local supply
coal by somo OF my former coal min
ing associates The conspiracy charge
remained on the docket for nearly two
years, and never came to trial. l was
under bond all Of that time ready to
proceed to trial. and was not within
the jurisdiction of the court. simply