Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-07
SENATE MAY PROBE
M|NGO MURDERS
Resolution Provides for Inquiry
Into West Virginia Mine
Conditions
USE OF TROOPS QUESTIONED
BY a star Correspondcnt

Washington, Feb. 7.-Scnate pro-
gressives moved today for n senatorial
Investigation OF the Mingo county, West
Virginia. murders, extending to the
general industrial situation in West
Virginia coal fields.
BY arrangement with Senators Ken
yon and Borah. resolution directing
the investigation was introduced by
Senator Johnson, of California.
The measure was referred to the COM
mittee on nudit and control of the con-
dngent expenses Of the Senate.
After setting forth that conditions
OF violence in the coal fields Of Logan.
Mcdowell, Mercer and Mingo coun-
ties have been 30 Serious as to lead to
the calling In of federal troops" and
that "the existence Of such conditions
during the present difficult and dis
turbed period Of reconstruction is
menace to orderly democratic govern
ment and to the general safety and
welfare OF the people OF the United
States the resolution directs an in
vestieation Of the following points:
First. Whether the conditions cx-
isting In snid coal fields justified calling
In Of federal troops.
Second. Whether conditions exist
Ing In said coal fields have been caused
by agreements and combinations entered
into contrary to the laws of the United
states for the purpose Of controlling the
production, sale and transportation of
the coal Of these fields.
Third. Whether armed guards and
other armed forces have been main.
tained or paid for by private individuals
and organizations, and, II 30, whether
such practice was legal and in accord.
ance with sound public policy.
Fourth. Whether citizens Of the
United States have been arrested, tried
or convicted contrary TO or in viola
tion Of the constitution Of the laws Of
the United States.
Fifth. Whether efforts of the United
Mine Workers Of America to organize
the employees of these feds were re-
sponsible for the disturbed conditions,
and. II 30, whether such efforts were
contrary to law and TO sound public
policy.
"Sixth. Whether or not postal scrv-
Ices and facilities have been or are in
terfered with or obstructed in said coal
fields, and IL so, by whom.
Seventh. Investigate and report
all facts and circumstances relating to
the charge that citizens Of the United
States have been arrested, tried and
convicted contrary to or In violation Of
the constitution Of the United States"
"a thorough and complct investi.
CATION Of these points is ordered, the
expense TO be paid from the contingent
fund of the Senate. The committee
Is authorized to subpoena witnesses. to
examine records and to hold sessions
here. in West Virginia, or elsewhere, in
its discretion.
Senator's johnson. Borah and Ken.
yon have been quietly gagthering facts
on the Mingo county situation for
several weeks and about ten days ago
reached a decision to seek a senatorial
inquiry. -
vestigation, assuming favorable action
by the Senate on the johnson resolu>
tion. to put sid Hatfield and Others
of the twenty three defendants in the
Mingo county murder trials on the
stand. and also to summon officials of
the United Mine Workers, leading coal
operators and the police and county
authorities Of the coal district.
Williamson, w. Va, Feb. THE
next few days will definitely determine
Il Jury Is to be obtained to try Sid
Hatfield and his associates for the slay-
ing Of the detectives at Matewan nine
months ago.
II it becomes apparent that 1t is a
hopeless task to get Jury 1t would not
be at all surprising II Judge Bailey
within few days would discontinue the
trial. Upon the decisions OF motions
which the state expects to present today
will depend whether or not q Jury is
going to be secured.
There are now eighteen jurors in the