Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-14
Hastens the Investigation.

Hastens the Investigation.
After hearing former Gov. Glasscock' s
explanation OF the conditions under which
the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek mining
districts were placed Under the domina-
ton of military rule the Senate mine
strike investigating committee last night
hurried its hearing along. with but a sin
gle branch of its inquiry here TO DC con-
cluded. The testimony of Gov. Glasscock
and the civil officials of Kanawha county.
In power during the strike, finished the
record under the head OF the arrest ana
conviction of citizens contrary TO the
laws and Constitution
The committee decided to leave the
matter of alleged violations OF immigra-
ton laws to be taken up in Washington
The big question as to agreements anu
combinations contrary to the laws of
the United States for the purpose OF
controlling the production of West Vir-
ginia coal, will not be taken up by the
committee at this time. owing to the fact
that officials of the United Mine Workers
have been indicted on this charge under
the Sherman antitrust law in the federal
courts.
Defense Of States Action.
In no uncertain terms Gov. GlaSscock
and the civil authorities Of Kanawha
county defended the declaration of mar
tial law In the strike zone.
The former governor told the commit
tee that the sheriff and county prose-
cutor of Kanawha county Informed him
they were unable, through the civil
courts to control the strike district, and
had urged the declaration Of martial law.
Miners and others were coming to
me-" the former governor said, ''and
telling me Of pitched battles that had
or thirty murders. and no prosecutions
had been made. That convinced me that
the courts were not controlling the sttua-
ton
ened at various times during the dis
turbances and speeches were made at
several miners meetings accusing him OF
'.fddling while Rome burned"
ton Of martial law. told them that
declaration Of martial law was the only
method by which could eject the mine
guards from the strike zone"
"And for that reason the miners favor
ed the declaration Of martial law" ask
ed Senator Borah.
Yes" answered the former governor.
Mine Guards Displaced.
'TTow many Of these mine guards were
there In tho district when martial law
was declared?' asked Senator Borah.
I'VE took about seventy 1--WE out Of the
held." was the answer.
Tho presence and actions of these
guards was the principal reason for de-
claring martial lawn
WELL that was ono Of the moving rea-
sons"
Did the mine operators object to your
disarming the mine guards? Senator
yes. they did" Mr. Glasscock said he
believed that the mine owners opposed
the declaration Of martial law:
THE situation was" said Senator
Borah. ''that these mine guards armed
IN that district were causing the dis
turbance. and In order to get rid Of them
you declared martial law; Is that right"
THAT is not exactly it. These men
were in there. They were in control, and
for supremacy. and in order to quiet the
situation declared martial law. / want
to say that believe that I never acted
more conscientiously in my life than
Attempts to question the governor as to
the Justification for the first declaration
OF martial law were stopped by the COM
mittee.
the good faith Of the governor In de-
claring martial law" said Senator Borah,
and the line Of questioning was halted.
Military Commission Defended.
Mr.. Glasscock was unequivocal In his
defense Of the action Of the military COM
mission which tried prisoners In the strike
zone. He explained that sentences i'm
posed by the military commission which
exceeded the penalties provided by the
statutes were never intended to be car
ried out. He had an understanding with
the commission that heavy sentences were
to be imposed. but that he was not to al.
low the prisoners to serve the full terms
The long sentences were planned "for the
moral effect"
II was determined" said the governor
ito have peace and order restored"
The attorneys for tie miners ascer-
tanned from the former governor that he
recommended some Of the militiamen
after the first declaration of martial law
was raised. az mine guards in the pay OF
the operators.
Testimony Of MI. Avis.
Representative s. B. Avis, who was
county prosecutor when the trouble be.
gan testified that juries secured In the
civil courts could not be depended upon tc
try cases arising out Of the strike because
OF the widespread prejudice and bias
throughout the country.