New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-14
GLASSC0CK DEFENDS
HIS ROLE OF WAR LORD
Reign of Terror Made Martial
Law an Absolute NeCes.
Sity, He Says.
CALLED A FIDDLING NEB0
Miners Spurred Him on Al
First, Ex-Governor Test.
fies-Senators Prepare
to Return.

Charleston, W. Va. June 1s.-Af,,
hearing Ex-Governor w. f. Glasscocx A.
fend martial law in the Paint Creek ars
Cabin Creek coliery districts. the sens,,
investigating committee completed n,
record tonight as to charges under IN.
head OF the arrest and conviction OF cip.
zens contrary to the laws and Constltu.
ton" Thereafter Senator Kenyon,
branch of the inquiry, as to general con.
dtions and causes leading up TO h,
strike. was all that remained to be dom
In Charleston,
The committee decided to leave n.
matter of alleged violations OF the immi.
grafton laws to be taken up in Washing.
ton. The question Of illegal agreements
and combinations 10 control the produc
ton of West Virginia coal will not 10
taken up at this time, ii was decided
owing to the fact that officials Of the
United Mine Workers have been indicted
on this charge under the Sherman ant.
trust law in the federal courts.
Ex-Governor Glasscock and the civil
authorities OF Kanawha County defended
the declaration Of martial law in the
strike zone In no uncertain terms. Mr.
Glasseock told the committee that the
Sheriff and County Prosecutor OF Ia.
nawha County informed him they were
unable through the civil courts 70 control
the strike district, and that they urged
the declaration Of martial law.
There was q reign OF terror In the
strike district" said the former Governor
twenty-five or thirty murders had bee,
committed, ana no prosecutions had beer
held in the courts 1 considered that
martial law was an absolute necessity"
Accused Of Nero's Role.
The witness said his own life had beer
threatened at various times. and speeches
were made at several miners meetings
accusing him OF ''fiddling while Rome
burned" He declared the miners re-
quested the first declaration OF marital
law.
Glascock said he had been reluctant 70
take charge OF the situation with the
military. but that parties to the indus
trial controversy had urged him 70 do 50.
Senator Borah ascertained that the Gov
ernor believed the mine guards in The
strike district. most Of whom were en-.
ployes OF the Baldwin-Feltz Detective
Agency. were the main cause Of the
trouble. and that one OF the principal rea.
sons for his declaring martial law In the
first instance was his desire TO rid the
district of the mine guards. After the
guards had been driven out, he said, the
question OF unionizing the field became
acute. and the trouble again broke out
The Governor was unequivocal in his
defence OF the actions OF the milt2r
commission which tried prisoners In the
strike zone.
IT considered that a state Of war ex-
listed on Point and Cabin creeks he
said. and I considered that under ns
martial law regime the viii OF the coa'
mander in chief. myself. was supreme
the affected territory. l regarded u
proceedings by the military commiSSoa
as strictly in accord with the law uncE
conditions which were apparent at us
time"
The former Governor explained that hs
had an understanding with the military
commission that very heavy sentences
were TO be imposed for moral effect oS'
that ne was not TO allow the prisoners
serve the full terms.
Glasscock admitted he recommends
some OF the militiamen, after the nrS
declaration OF martial law was made
nlaces as mine guards in the pay OF tas
operators.
ALLEGES Juries Were Biased
Representative S. B. Avis, form1
County Prosecutor. testified that june
secured in the civil courts could not y
depended upon to try strike cases oeeauS
OF prejudice II was brought out AV'
ever. that throughout the strike uoIos'
the criminal courts. with grand juries ~
ting. were doing business without lhls.
ference. On these points Sheriff sin'u-
County Prosecutor Townsend and DIS "
slstant, f. c. Burdette, corrooorateo NJ
Avis.
Senator Shields and Kenyon, with s''
eral lawyers and a score or more % v"
nesses. began an investigation IN 'VV-
Of the State Capitol OF the condiu0D'
which led up to the strike, SENATORS
Swanson. MARITIME and Borah wound
the examination OF the civil officers o.
the general inquiry was pressed 50 -
toward its close that Senator BoFah -.
here for Washington tonight ssfee''
TO return IL matters demanding hS y"
ence arose. IL,
Arrangements were made here w.
for the release under $500 bond OF ~
nineteen indicted officials Of the Unm
Mine Workers of America. Inc s''-
news of the union men will attack 'ns :
dictment first by demurrers alesihs
the indictments are faulty. Inc -
cIpal fight. however. probably VIII
postponed until next fall.