South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-12-06
WILL FURNISH
MINGO REGION
STRIKERS AID
National Union Officers De-
nOunce Act of West Vir-
ginia Governor.
HELP ALABAMA STRIKE
Conditions Rival Armenia,
Says Declaration Fight
Until Recognized.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Dec. g.
The United Mine Workers OF
America plan to carry on 4 struggle
with the coal operators OF Alabama
and Mingo county, West Virginia.
"to a finish" said a statement is
sued here Sunday night by the union
officials.
According to the statement. the
unions international board has
unanimously adopted a declaration.
promising the Alabama and West
Virginia miners "the full moral and
financial assistance Of the interna-
tional union"
The text Of the declaration as
adopted by the board also was made
public. 1t criticized the West Vir-
ginia governor for calling out feder-
al troops and asserted II he were
true 10 his oath OF office he would
disarm private detectives who it
Is said. are employed by the op-
orators. Regarding the Alabama
situation, the declaration said cit is
questionable whether the people OF
Armenia, whose sufferlngs have
shocked the world. are IN any
worse circumstances then the Op-
pressed mine workers Of Alabama.
Numerous business matters have
been before the board during its
session OF the yast several days. bur
IL was said by the union officials
that consideration TO Alabama and
/ West Virginia conditions was first
given at A meeting late Saturday
Announcement Of the action was
made In the statement Sunday.
spirit Impressive"
The text OF the declaration as an
nounced as adopted BY the board
follows:
The international executive board
is impressed with the sipirt OF self
sacrifice displayed by the mine work
ers Of Alabama in their wonderful
u ut for the right TO establish the
principle Of collective bargaining
and compel recognition by the coal
operators OF the award OF the United
States bituminous coal commission.
The $4,000 men. women and child
ren who are engaged IN this Strug-
Gle are suffering from the most in
tense persecution heaped upon them
by the arrogant coal operators OF
that state Every conceivable me-
eviction from their homes, fore
closure upon their household and
personal effects, false arrests and
Imprisonment, prohibition or the
right Of assem- blage denial OF their
statuary and constitutional rights.
unwarranted use Of state troops in
the coal fields. denunciatlon by an
unfavora BILE press and a most mali
cious public campaign Of mlsrepres-
entation have all failed 20 break
their dauntless spirit. Il ts indeed
questionable whether the people Of
Armenia, whose sufferings have
circumstances than the oppressed
mine workers OF Ala bama.
Mlngo County Fight.
"In AIingo county. West Virginia.
struggle of equal importance Is be-
ing Waged. The miners OF that ter
ritory were locked out BY their en-
plOyers because Of their desire 20
organize and their request FOR the
recoginition OF the principle OF co..
lective bargaining. They have
Waged a remarkable struggle against
overwhe Ginning odds despite the in
Vulnerable Outrages inflicted by the
private army Of hired gunmeu en-
ployed by the coal operators OF that
region. Many men have been shot
In cold blood BY these modern Hes
slams while in a multiplicity or in
stances others have suffered from
brutal assaults upon their persons
without having redress IN the Jaw.
The governor Of that commonwealth
has utterly failed 20 give protection
20 these citizens and has CiplaEff
hi9 shameful weakness hv recently
-
IN the MingO county strike neld.
Were he through 20 h.s oaths ~
Office he would az once exercise the
power vested IN him as governor q
the state OF West Virginia and COM
pei the coal companies 20 disarm the
1 hundreds Of Baidwin-Felts gunner
employed by them. who have usurp-
ed the police powers Of the COM
/ monweaith and exercised these pow
er5 In the interest OF the coal opera
! tors and contrary 20 the welfare ~
| the citizens OF West Virginia.
Continue 20 end.
/ The international executive board
| declares that these Industrial struE-
I giles in Ala bama and West Virgins
must continue until the coal opera
! tors recognize the rights Of their
I employees The principle OF human
4 rights recognized by the enlightened
public opinion of our country Is az
I stake There can be no comprC-
misc OF this principle The full
4 moral and financial assistance OF the
/ international union. representing its
/ mem bership OF one half million mine
workers. viii be placed behind the
I mine workers or Alabama and West
| Virginia IN this fight.