The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-11-27
State POWeTleSS to
Control the Situation
President Is Asked to Pro-
claim Martial Law In the
Trouble Zone

Charleston. W. Va, Nov. 26.-Fed-
cral troops from Camp sherman, Ohio,
are enroute to Mingo county TO take
charge OF the strike situation having
been requested ny Governor John );
Cornwell. The request was granted
today and the movement OF troops be-
gan Immediately. according tu ois-
patches from chillicothe.
When It was known that troops were
enroutc, Governor Cornwcll gave out
a statement in which he explains that
federal assistance was asked following
a request made by Mingo county au-
thorit!eS. .
President Wilson 10 proclaim Mingo
county under martial law in the trouble
zone. in order TO give the federal SOL
dlrrs complete power 10 handle the
situation. lie has not 'bccn informed
whether or no, his request VIII Dc
granted. According TO private adNiGcS,
hnweyer, 1t is understood martial law
will not be declared until after i sur
vcy OF the situation has been made ny.
officials OF the central department or
story Of the Trouble.
Federal troops only recently were
withdra wn from the MinEo county coal
region. They were requested Follow
ing the indictment Of two score men
for murder in connection with the XIII
ing of ten men at Matewan last MAY:
Threats. were made upon the lives or
important states witnesses in the
! Hatfield. proprietor of the Matewan
hotel, was killed a few days after his
life had been threatened.
About twenty-five members or the
state department OF puDlic salc.y ~SrS
sent to various parts Of the STRIKE zone
upon the removal OF troops, ana one
hundred deputies were appointed by
MIngo authorities.
During the latter part of last week
the deputies we're aischarsed Dy
thorities had decided TO recruit an
other force IF deputies from the ranks
Of the American Legion.
Only about IL half dozen OF the Tor
MGR soldiers consented TO serve, how
ever, and steps were taken To have fed
cral soldiers again called into the state.
Governors Statement.
Governor CornHclI's statement was
one week ago last Sunday night.
Judge Bailey, Sheriff Blankenship,
President bishop Of the county court.
and Prosecuting Attorney Bronson o.
M.ngo county conferred with me at
length as To the situation there. Thcy
were of the opinion that if they could
secure one hundred new deputy
shrrifls and that with those ana the
state police tho situation might be
cCnlTOllcu. tSNS'N
more acute daily.
I'm tho meantime It seems 10 have
been impossible to secure the deputies.
Wednesday night l had a wire from
Judge Bailey, Mr.. bishop and Prose
cutting Attorney Bronson giving the
reason for the failure OF the plan
mentioned and making an urgent re-
quest for the return of federal troops.
As much as ! regret TO again call upon
he federal government for aid. l nave
no other alternative. l have, accord
inrly, asked General Reed &c send them
and am requesting the President to
issue proclamation putting the county
under military control, allowing the
circuit court, however, to proceed with
the trial of oitcnSes heretofore com
mitted. .
Judge Bailey. Prosecuting Attorney
Bronson ana MIR. bishop, in their wire,
EXPRESSED the opinion that the tr"ops
mipht be able TO deal with the situation
without putting the county under mill
tnry control nave not conCurred in
thrt View. however, for the time for
trmporlzing Is past. Everybody mas
had fair warming. The local authnrl-
ties have had every opportunity th"y
asked to deal with the situation. Men
were assaulted and beaten before m the
presence Of soldiers, who were power
loss TO prevent it. / refuse to make
sign posts Of them again. I have done
my hest 10 deal with the situation. Our
state police force is not sufficiently
large to hcndlr it. lnasmuch ~ | nave
h,:cn obliged to call in the federal
trunrs again. | thought 1t proper I"
ask the President to issue pr"claina.
tinn giving them power TO deal WIN
the situation. That l have done.