The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-06-11
Story Of Martial Law in West Yir-
ginia Coal Mining District is
Revealed to The Inyesti-
eating Committee
RULE OF MILITIA
WAS COMPLETE
Civil Courts Were Entirely SuppIan-
ted--Adjutant General Declares
Sheriffs Were Unable to
Cope with Situation
Telegram by United Press.

Telegram by United Press.
Charleston, W. Va, June 1.-THE
entire story of how martial law was
declared in the coal mining districts
in the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek
sections, how the miners families were
driven from their homes by the mill
tia, how armed guards we're imported
by coal operators and how a military
tribunal was substituted for the civil
court guaranteed by the constitution,
was revealed before the senate inves-
tigating committee today.
Military officials produced records
showing the work Of the military
courts, the offenses charged and the
sentences imposed, in fact every trans
action that was illegal under the state
constitution was read into record.
Former Representative Gaines tes-
tified that at al ines during the ex-
istence Of the military courts three
civil courts in the county We're open
ready for work when the military or
ganization superseded them. Mem
bers Of the committees. it is said, are
satisfied that this already proves the
case.
Chas d. Elliott, adjntant general.
was interrogated by Senator Borah re-
garding various periods Of martial
law, furnishing statistical evidence
forming the groundwork Of the in
yestigation
Elicit insisted that the militia sup
erceded the civil courts because the
sheriffs Of the strike zone admitted
their inability to cope with the sit
uation.
Documentary evidence that was in.
troduced included all the military or
ders during the strike period. II es-
tablished to the committees satisfac-
ton the charge that the military dom
mated the situation. entirely ignoring
the state courts
II was shown that private was ac-
quilted by military court of the muir
der Of a miner and the same court
court martialed and fined miner
thousand dollars and sentenced him 70
a year in the penitentiarg for carrying
concealed weapons.
Thirty-two were sentenced to sixty
days for intimidation of working men
and carrying brass knuekles" Fifty
were fined for disorderIy conduct and
given three months. Thirty were fined
for carrying concealed weapons and
given six months. Two non.resldents
who were exercising police powers
illegally were given six months and
five hundred dollars fines for intiml-
dation OF workers
II developed that in every case tho
civil courts had jurisdiction but no
attempts we're made to bring the ac-
eused before the local authorities.
Two lengthy preliminary statements
we're filed with the committee by at.
torneys for the operators. The first
was filed for the operators generally.
and the second for the Paint Creek
Collieries company. Both were pleas
Of not guilty and both denied in de.
, tail and in toto the charges made IN
the resolution passed BY the senate
authorizing the inquiry The eiera
tors in their brief made the counter
charge that the United Mine Workers
Of America in its attempts TO organ
izep the coal miners in the West viz
ginia field was responsible for th'
violence which has characterized tbl
strike
I'VE know Of no system Of peonagl
and believe none exists or has beel
practiced in the fields. said the brief
An investigation by the department
o. Justice found no such system Spe
) elfie denials were made lhai the pos
, tai service had been lnteriefed with
: that the immigration laws had beeI
: violated and that rights OF citizen
! had been violated
: On the question 81 the trials Of tlt
: zane under martial lax 4hA htlaf a.
= CONTINUED o. rase Ivol