Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-06-17
HOLD INDIGNATION MEETING
WEST VIRGINIA MINERS ARE NOT
SATISFIED WITH THE TREND
OF EVENTS.
HEARINGS END TOMORROW
PRESENCE OF THE SENATORS
NEEDED IN WASHINGTON,
is THE EXPLANATION.


Charleston, w. va, June 17.-With
scores Of witnesses called to tell the
mine operators side OF the labor
controversy in the Paint Creek and
Cabin Creek district, the senate hear
ings here will end tomorrow night.
Senator Swanson, chairman of the
committee, declared that the situa-
ton in Washington demands the
presence Of the committee and that
it would be necessary to leave
Charleston at the earliest possible
moment.
News Of critical conditions in the
hills continued to come in to Charles
ton today, although union officials
declared they were doing their best
to keep the men on Paint Creek at
work, where they asserted that some
50 men who participated in a strike
meeting on Sunday were discharged.
They said the men we're rapidly re-
turning to work
The operators in town said they
we're having no difficulty Drumming
their plants. The union officials
have called meeting for tomorrow
Of the legislative board of District
20, which covers the big New River
coal fields. They declare that a
strike will undoubtedly be voted on
at all the mines in the New River
field which fail to make an agree
ment with the union,
A Wordy Controversy
A wordy controversy between c. G.
Watts Of counsel for the operators
and Senator MARITIME enliyened the
opening Of today's session. Senator
MARITIME was examining DR.. ]. W. Ash
by, physician for the Cabin Creek
Consolidated Coal company, as to
sanitary conditions in the strike zone.
DR. Ashby said sanitary conditions
were as good as they were any
where else around mines" The sen
ator contradicted this statement, and
when he and the witness engaged in
an argument Mr. Watts interfered.
''Mr Chairman object to the sen
ator, who is supposed to be sitting as
fair Judge" he shouted, 'browbeat
ing and bullying this witness. He
should not take advantage Of his po-
sition as a senator cf the United
States"
Senator MARITIME leaped to his feet
and shouted:
@I am a senator Of the United states
and Pm exercising my prerogatives
as senator. You gentlemen with wealth
and power at your command should
provide sanitary conditions to protect
the lives Of these working men,"
West Virginia Interrupted Mr
Watts, does not need to go to the
mosquito-ridden swamps Of New Jer
sey to learn sanitation"
Both Senator MARITIME and Mr.
Watts were arguing heatedIy whel
Senator Kenyon interrupted
"Either stop this or let's adjourn,
he said and Senator Swanson tool
command Of the situation. Senate
Swanson defended the position 0
Senator MARITIME and reprimanded MI
Watts.
Quinn Morton. who owns severa
mines on Cabin Creek. and who wa
charged by Lee Calvin, former min
guard, with participating in the attacl
on Holly Grove with the armorel
train was examined at length as I
the negotiations which preceded tn
strike He said the contracts for th
output Of his mines we're made II 1911
and ran for five years. This preelud
ed his paying the increase IN wage
demanded by the miners. He went II
to the details Of the miners demand
and replies Of the operators. and sal
the question finally settled down t
a question OF recognition Of the union