The Washington times., 1913-05-03

Reports coming in to the office Of
Senator Kern Of Indiana from a num-
Der Of sources tell Of a condition Of
things in the Paint Creek and Cabin
Creek coal regions Of West Virginia
that rivals the conditions in Siberia
Senator Kern has been given details Of
occurrences and situations in the strike
region that seem Incredible and that
II true. mean that the miners are under
system OF slavery as bad as that
under which the Mexican peon labors
II the forthcoming Senate investiga-
ton into the conditions in the coal re-
gions Is held. 1t will illumine one Of
the worst reigns Of terror in the his
tory OF this country. providing half
the allegations which are coming into
Senator Kern's office are true.
Following on tn" action of former
Senator Watson Of West Virginia, who
is interested In the coal fields where
the strike has been on for many months
past, in writing Senator Kern to have
the proposed investigation suppressed. 1t
was learned today that strong pressure
Is being exerted on Senators from other
quarters to prevent an airing by .
Senate committee.
Wants Bigger Committee.
New York financial interests having
investments in the mines in the strike
region want the veil kept over what has
occurred there. Senator Kern was
called over the telephone today from
New York. and urged to halt the pro-
posed inquiry.
II became apparent today that the
mine owners and operators had set In
motion powerful influence to work on
Senators and block the investigation.
The situation Is such. however, that
1t will probably be impossible to block
1t. Not only Senator Kern. but other
Senators have been apprised of the al
legged wrongs and cruelties In the strike
district. The feeling in the Senate for
an investigation Is strong.
Story of Mother" Jones.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson knows the
situation fully. AabQut two months
ago Mother Jones was in washington
and she set forth the conditions fully at
that time. They startled and appalled,
those who listened. Secretary Wilson
at that time said Mother Jones told
the truth.
Senator Kern has in his possession
the part Of the report to the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor which
were suppressed. The special agent who
went into the fields has conferred with
him. He has q mass of data bearing
on the strike and the conditions Of the
miners and their families. Senator
Kern II not ready to make public the
suppressed Information which was given
to the department when Secretary Ma
kel was the head OF II. But he may DO
1t on the Senate floor IL there is any
discussion Of his resolution.
Strike Has Lasted a Year.
The strike has been In progress about
a year. 1t is alleged that In that time
the miners have suffered appalling
hardships along with their families.
Strikers. dispossessed Of their little
homes. have been obliged to live in
tents. Guards employed by the opera
tors and deputies sworn in by the
State have shot down miners right and
left, II the stories told are true using
high power magazine rifles and even
machine guns.
Guards and deputy sherins even
charged into one OF the mining camps,
according TO the charges or allegations
which have been put into possession
OF Senator Kern, riding on an armored
car and turned loose on the miners,
powerless to resist. with rifles and ma
chine guns. Anarmored special train
called THE Bull Moose" Is alleged TO
have gone UP and down in the mining
region and thrown the Inhabitants into
a state of terror repeatedly.
The State authorities, apparently SUBJ
servient to the operators. created a
military commission" and miners. on