Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-04

the held might lead to renewed disorders
and even precipitate a general strike.
In a lengthy statement to the commit
tee Gen Watts declared that he believed
that the alleged conspiracy to assassinate
Gov. Hattie i. discovered yesterday. might
have resulted from the agitation accom-
p1nying the efforts of the investigating
committee.
Discusses Conditions.
I'VE have had a terrible condition down
there" said Gen. Watts. "and il has
taxed the efforts OF the governor and the
state authorities to restore order. III You
/ so down there now and flood Charleston
and the courthouse grounds with these
discontented men, all of these terrible
conditions may break out again.
Il beg you to consider carefully
whether or not you would not repro
duce those troubles we have had. at
least temporarily. Whether this pro-
posed investigation has had anything
to do with this recently discovered at,
tempt to assassinate Gov. Hatfield |
do not know, but this committee ought
to consider that phase Of the situa-
ton.
There is a feeling down there even
now" declared Mr.. Vinson. that the
government Of the United States is GO
ing to hold up the governor and the
authorities of the state and prevent them
from preserving law and order.
No Power to Punish.
There ought to be no such feeling"
said Senator Borah. emphatically. There
ought to be no idea that we are going
there to paralyZe the local authorities in
| their efforts to preserve the peace. This
| committee has no power to punish any
body. All We can do is ascertain the
facts and make report.
I'VE have had great trouble" said Gen.
| Watts in subduing the riotous out
breaks far. Up to the present the
1860 $1,000 miners In the Paint
/ Creek and Cabin Creek districts.
We fear that If another outbreak is
| induced it will involve all of the tit.eUJ
| the principal industry of our state. II
| these disconnected men get the idea tina,
| YOU have come there To review the act .ons
of the courts they will think you have
come to rescue them
Wants to Be Shown.
Il believe we should go down there
Tuesday" said Senator Borah, land sc.
if our presence proves disturbing fac.
tor. I am reluctant to decline to go oI
the theory that we are afraid To CO."
Afraid of what?' asked Chairman
| Swanson.
Afraid of these disturbances. l thnl
it would have been better rejoined Sen
ator Borah. that the committee hae
| never been created than that We declin,
| to go on that theory"
Il don't care to go at ALL said Senator
Shields.
View of Senator MARITIME.
Senator MARITIME suggested that the adj
vent of the committee would have a re-
assuring effect by spreading the idea that
the great government of the United
States meant to make fair and impair
tial investigation"
| The committee finally adopted a reso-
luton by Senator Borah providing that
| the committee go TO Charleston and
open hearings Tuesday at O'Clock and
| take such testimony as the committee
may feel should be taken on the ground.
The representatives of the operators as
sured the committee that they could make
| trips to the various mines involved by
special train from Charleston i'm a day
or two. The representatives of the strik-
| ers expect to have about 1tD witnesses
on hand at Charleston for the hearings
ich begin Tuesday.
Work to Be Specialized
The subcommittee authorized the chair
man to appoint members of the subcom-
mittee to take charge of the various
subjects of investigation. Senator Swan
son has made the following designations:
Senator Borah To have charge OF those
| inquiries relating TO peonage, the charge
| that citizens of the United States had
been arrested. tried and convicted CON
| trary 10 constitutional laws of the United
States
| Senator MARITIME was given charge of
| the inquiries relating to the interference
with or obstruction to the postal service.
| and to the immigration laws.
Senator Shields was given charge of
| the inquiries relating to combinations for
controlina the production. sale and
| transportation of coal
Senator Kenyon was wen charge oi
/ those inquiries relating to the shipping
of firearms 10 the coal strike district. ana
/ relating to the cOnd tons existing and
| the causes leading up TO those conditions
which brought about the strike
Gov. Hatfield Exoneratei.
/ CHICAGO. June 4.-Gov. Hatfield OF
I West Virginia is exonerated on a number
/ of charges popularity circulated against
/ him in connection With the West Nir-
| GINA coal mine strike in repoet sub
mitted TO the national committee u he
/ socialist party by Victor l. Berger,
/ Adolph Germer and Eugene v Debs, who
1 made u personal Investigation.
the burden of resentment IN the re-
| port is directed against Coy. rlatficid 5
/ predecessor Gov Glasscock. IL was
/ Gov. Glasscock says the report. who
was responsible for martial Law and
! many atrocities which the report al
leges occurred during his administra- :
| ton. Gov Hatfield is censured Tor re-
4 toll Ter Nor. NJ
| prisoning their editors, but the report
| quoted the governor as admitting TINS
! action was unjust. and declaring that
| the papers might continue to issue
| without moles tation from the state ad-
! ministration.