The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-11-04
GOV. CORNWELL
HAS COME-BACk
Replies to Keeney's Attack,
Defending His Call For
u. S. Soldiers

CHARLESTON W. Va, Nov. 8
Assuming full responsibility for tn"
presence Of federal troops in tho West
Virginia coal fields. Governor John J.
Cornwcll in letter 10 c. +. ke"ncy.
president Of District Number II, United
Mine Workers, tonight declared that nc
had rrQurstrd military aid after being
advised that union miners had planned
for another armed marcn into Logan
county" where the large non-union
,iuyan fields arc located. The Cover
nor's letter WAS in reply to one recciv-
Cd earlier in tn" day frnm Mr.. kcency
charging that the miners had suspicious
hat the governor was mot dealing
openly and above board with them"
AS to my good faith in my express
ID desire 10 Sc" the miners receive fair
d"aiiny: and their constitutional rights.
said Governor tornw"l. which you
say many miners Of your organization
have questioned: that subject l shall
40; discuss. You have practical know
lvdgr regarding II and shall depend
upon your sense Of justice 10 convince
the doubling ones"
Call For Troops.
The governor said he had ''no tnf"r-
nation as to the unien leaders charges
that certain operators through MT. l.
, l.. Lewis. are putting out propaganda
, for tn" purpose Of creating d!ssention
among tho miners.
In explaining his reasons for The pres
rnrc OF the troops Governor CoTn"eI
said:
For weeks, was advised from day
tn dav Of the purchase Of ammunition,
pistols and guns by members "f your
! .,rrnniZatinn. a. we'll as OT meetings
held hy some Of them and Of III" plans
laid for another armed march IL Logan
county.
Threats and plans wrr" revealed TO
me by letter and personally by MEM
bcrs Of your organization as 10 the con-
, icmplatcd aSscnblagc of men here on
November lst.
II received other definite information
Of the intention If certain radical per
sons I" arm and meet Friday evening
I So as to take up The march Il Logan
county. which ird M" To couclud" about
! noon on Thursday. 10 bring federal
troops int" tn" state to preserve the
law and order and 10 furnish protc"-
ton. if necessary to men who want 10
work whether they bc union or non"
union miners"
Strike Unlawful.
Th" governors 'ettcr stated that on
October Is, he had advised" Mr.. k""nCy
that mine workers were ''re"riring
large number Of shipments OF guns ~
Sovereign and other points in TN" coai
river section" He said tina; some OF
these shipments were from Eskdalc
nnd other rGhin creek points.
In concluding his letter the governor
said:
Il cannot. in this instance. permit my
friendship for ur sympathy with the
miners 10 enter into my dealings with
, this situation for In" reason that the
federal government, through the cSccu>
tive department. the prcsIdcht or inc
United States and the attorney general,
have declared il 10 be unlawful strike
and conspiracy against the govern
mcnL and the people and congress nag
approved that declaration by approPr-
ate resolution. As the rhl"t executive
Of this state II is my sworn duty 1"
SUPPORT the federal government That
. I have undertaken to do and shall con-
I tinuc in every lawful way drsr!:" any
I threats Of unpleasant consequences.