The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-12-01
Conflict of Capital and LaboE
Develops Into Man to \
Man Struggle q
MINERS AND FAMILIES y
LIVING IN COLONIES
Troops Are Stationed Thruous
Country to Put End to 4
Shedding of Blood IN
(By United PresS)

Williamson, w. Va, December !.
(By Harold Jacobs, copyrighted for
United Press.)-"The biggest and
bloodiest feud in the history of this
famous feud country, is being fought
out here today. -
Starting last May in a struggle
between capital and labor-coal mine
operators and miners--it gradually
developed into O. man to man struE-
gle with non-union men and mine
guards fighting a battle with the OPP
orators. Thirty-three have been kill
ed and fifty wounded. Governor
Cornwell has characterized the sit
uation as one "of instruction" and
United States troops have been sum-
moned. Today 500 men Of the 18th
Infantry under Colonel Hall biv-
ouacked Mingo county with head
quarters at Williamson. They pa
trolled the mining territory with Tx
ed bayonets in addition to their
rifles. They have available a numb
er OF machine guns and one-pound'
cannon. The miners and families
are living in tent colonies with whit
er coming on.
"Sentries, with rain cleaning from
their slickers, paced up and down
in the mud. As stepped from the
train, shots rang out from quarters
surrounded In mist or from recess
SIGNALS of sharp shooting feudalists
who crept just close enough to the
town to keep informed on proceed
ings. The first civilians in sight were
viewed almost with frank suspicion
by the tall rangier sons Of the West
Virginia mountains. They slouched
thru the mire with their coat collars
up against the rain, keeping their
eyes open for trouble.
"Only modified martial law has
been established today" Colonel Hall
said. Beside maintaining order
we expect to end all possible future
disturbances by arresting all memb-
ers OF the lawless element. We will
cooperate with the civilian authOrit-
les and expect to be here for some
time"
,"Striking miners who are living in;
tents are each receiving IS q week
from the national organization. with
81 extra for each woman and 81 for
each child. When the tent colonies
were first established, there was no
inconvenience or real suffering but
now the rainy season has started, and
the whole countryside is drenched in
a cold, clammy drizzle, many OF the
tents are flooded.
Miners charge the railroads re-
fused to make deliveries although
lumber has been purchased. Railroad
officials denied this.
The public appears to be about,
equally divided in sentiment between
the miners and operators-that Is,
that small portion Of the public that
Is not directly interested in the fight,
for coal is the only cause for exis-
tence in this out Of the way pOr-
ton Of the United States, especially
for the isolated miners in towns
which are located along the West
ern and Norfolk railroads like knots
in a string drawn thru a rubble
heap.
"The khaki clad boys looked busi-
ness-like tramping thru the clay
around the mines and near the rail-
road stations. Most Of them are vet
Grams. They stood out in contrast
with the handful of state constabul~
airy whose uniforms are reminiscent
Of the Y. NJ. G. A. overseas"
With the arrival Of the troops
there have been two clashes between
them and strike sympathizers. In both
cases shots were exchanged between
soldiers on this side Of the Tug riv-
er and riflemen in Pike county, Ken
lucky. One clash occurred at Rose
Sidingwhere the river is a muddy
mountain stream so yards across.
-.>~....