The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-05-28
STATE ARMS AGAINST
MINERS IN ". VA.
BOSSES USE STATE POWER
TO FIGHT UNION MINERS.

The tool of the mine barons, the
governor of West Virginia, declared
martial law in the Mingo-co coal
fields on May 20. After a week Of
quietute on the scene of hostiiities,
the weapon Of the mine owners was
brought into play against the strik-
ers who have resorted to arms as a
means of defense against the coal
owners.
Paralling the declaration Of mar.
tial law in the coal region by Gov
ernor E. F. Morgan on May 20, is
a. call issue by Charles F. Keeney,
president of District II, United
Mine Workers of America, to the
non-union miners to strike in solidar-
| ity with the union miners now out
in the "strike-lockout" which has
been in force for one year. Embodied
in the strike call were promises Of
union benefits to those willing to
cease their support Of the mine
barons and join the workers.
The Governors declaration cites
various disorders, riots, shooting
and blood sheed committed by "lasge
bodies of armed men" as the reasons
for the establishment Of martial law
, and declares the county authorities
are unable to put down or control
!, such insurrection."
| Quiet precedes Governors Step.
f, A week of quietude preceded the
Governors declaration Of martial law
in the disturbed region where miners
have been out for an entire year in
an effort to establish the principle
of unionism in the Mingo-co mines.
No concerted renewal Of hostilities
from either the strikers or the
strike breakers, gunmen and deputies
have been reported but the main
tenance Of an armed state prevails
and an occasional shot rings out from
some covert on the mountain side.
The. miners are showing no weaken.
ing in their determination to stick
together to whatever end awaits
them in their long and suffsrin1
campAisn q establish IA zishk y
81 - r-< = ~ ~.
81 ~ b IL s. s.
the armed power Of the STATE, th55
have fought on year after year foi
the simple right accorded human
beings any where else in the world
the right to organize into unions fol
protection against the exploiters
More than once the struggle has
reached the stage which now pre-
vails--that Of arms against arms.
! Business Men Arm.
Tho President Harding has as yet
refused to send in federal troops, the
declaration Of martial law by the
state is fulfilling the same end
Captain Brockus, commanding the
state police has distributed several
hundred rifles and pistols to business
and professional men in Williamson
and other W. Virginia towns who
have been sworn in as special Of.
ficers. West Virginia has no ma
tional guard but body Of about 100
men constitute a Department Of
Public Safety which has now been
augmented by the swearing in Of
hundreds Of citizens exclusive Of
miners and union men.
4 An attempt to gain the support Of
the A. F. Of L. to secure a govern
ment investigation Of the Mingo
situation was made last week when
conferences took place at Washing
ton between President Gompers,
: Frank Morrison Of the A. F. Of L.
and Fred Mooney, secretary and
treasurer of the u. M. w. Of A. and
. its attorney. Harold W, Houston Of
Charleston. Conciliators Of the de-
partment Of labor were also inter
viewed with view to federal media
tion between the miners and coal
operators.