Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-01-16
New Jersey Senator Makes
Report on Investigation Of
Conditions in Cabin and
Paint Greek Districts.
CONDEMNS HIRING OF
GUARDS BY OPERATORS
Statesman Finds No Evidence
of Interference With Mails
or Importation Of Contract
Labor as CHARGED.

Washington Jan. Il6.- Government
ownership of the great coal mines OF
the country as a remedy for strike dis
turbances, was recommended hy SEN
ator MARITIME, of New Jersey, today In
"a report submitted to Chairman swan
son. of the senate committee which
investigated the West virginia coal
strike troubles,
Senator MARITIME. charged particu-
larly with the inquiry regarding inter-
ferences with the mails and the ems
ployment Of contract labor, reported
that the evidence failed 20 establish
either of these conditions. The re-
port attributed much Of the violence
and bloodshed in West virginia 10 tho
presence OF ARMED guards hired hy
the minc operators ana recommended
lhe passage OF a hill which Senator
MARITIME introduced IA the senate proc
hibning the employment of armed po-
lice by private organizations.
while there was delay in distri-
buting mail owing to the strike and
general disturbed conditions existing
In the district" the senator said, III
found no attelnpt u suppress the gen-
eral mail delivery TO all the patrons
of the respective postoffices Of this
district The presence OF armed
guards, however. naturally excited
bitter feelings and their presence
cannot be too strongly condemned
Regarding the employment Of im-
migrant labor. in blocks or on con-
tract. from foreign countries, this, too,
was found impossible to establish,
Though the fact was brought ont that
labor was hired bY agents Of the mine
owners in the great cities 0f our coun-
try: that the said agents did not tell
the men the whole truth of the situ-
alton at the place of destination, that
In most instances these men were
unable 20 understand our language
and the burden of testimony tended
only to prove that the transportation
of these men WAS serious reflection
on our boasted civilization.
God has blessed West Virginia with
profligate hand Here, above all sec
tions, should peace, plenty and happi-
ness reign supreme. on The contrary
your committee found disorder, riot.
bitterness and bloodshed IN theif
stead
"In no spirit of malice or hatred,
but with Wow that the country
through knowledge Of the true eondi-
tions may right the wrong. ! charge
that the hiring of armed bodies of
men by private mine owners and other
corporations and the Use OF steel ar-
mored trains. machine guns and blood
hounds on defenseless men, women
and children. Is but little removed
from harharism
- millionaire owner Of a great see
tion Of the state OF West Virginia ad-
mitted on the witness stand that $50
long as he got his per ton royalty he
never inquired further. Coal under
our civilization is necessity. Ihis
great commodity cannot be Increased
a fraction of q pound, yet our popu-
lation is multiplying by leaps ana
bounds each year. thereby increasing
the demands for this article. with
this condition existing and with aHn-
rice aa the dominating characteristic
i'm man, /, at the risk OF criticism los
my many friends and countrymen. un-
hesitaungly say that government own
ership of the mines Is the only hope
or solution for those who may come
after us.
"These thoughts are not dream of
today but the result of many years OF
thought and consideration. Ny recent
Investigation into conditions into the
Paint and Cabin Creek strike with all
the attendant horrors. has confirmed
my thoughts into IA fixed judgment.
Additional partial reports on phases
of the West Virginia investigation are
still TO be submitted To Senator swan
son by senators Shields and Kenyon.
When those have been made Senator
swanson Will combine all Of the par
tial reports in general discussion of
the results of the investigation.