New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-04
No Need for Martial
La,O NoaU, Says Weeks
Secretary of Var Believes Mine
Var Crisis Has Passed, and
He Cancels Troop Orders

From The Tribune's Washingtcs, Bureau
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-Informa-
ton reaching the War Department late
to-day from Brigadier General Harry
H. Bandholtz- commanding the Federal
troops in West Virginia, indicated that
the institution of martial law there
would not become necessary.
Many of the insurgent miners are
surrendering their arms and returning
to their homes in compliance with the
Presidents proclamation, and Secretary
Of War Weeks is convinced that peace
will be restored in the disturbed areas
very soon.
''As far as the War Department is
informed" he said this afternoon,
everything is quiet in West Virginia
and there are no basis for newspaper
tendency Of the men is to return quiet
ly to their homes, and ! feel certain
that they will"
So strong Is Secretary Weeks in his
belief that the use of Federal troops
will not be required and that the ne
cessity for proclaiming martial law in
West Virginia does not exist that he
Cancelled the orders which had been
issued to General Shanks at Camp Dix
10 kccR III IcdOlHcoS Cnc 1OCu
for possible dispatch to West Virginia.
Surrender of Insurgents
Late this afternoon General Band
holtz informed the War Department of
the surrender of 400 insurgents.
about 400 insurgents" General
Bandholtz's message said, "surren-
dered this afternoon at Sharples and
Madison, turning in about eighty fire.
arms They were immediately sent out
of the disturbed area to st. Adams by
train"
Despite his optimism that the situa-
ton in West Virginia is rapidly clear
ing, Secretary Weeks did not accom-
pany the President en- his weekend
trip of the Mayfower to-day. He had
been included in the party, which de-
parted this afternoon for two days
cruise ON the Potomac and Chesapeake
Bay, but at the last minute he decided
to remain in Washington to be pre-.
pared Co authorize the issuance of the
martial law proclamation in the event
that conditions change for the worse
in the coal field.
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
A. +. of L., called at the White House
to-day and outlined to the President
the situation in West Virginia as he
views it. Mr.. Gompers was accompa,
MED by James Lord. president of the
INNING department. OF the American
Federation of Labor. He declared that
the people of West Virginia cannot
and must not stand in hostile array
agsinst the authority of the United
States" The labor leader told the
President also that when the miners
have obeyed the Presidents orders ana
dispersed to their homes it may crush
their spirits, but no remedy is thereb,
provided for the situation.
Mr.. Gompers urged upon the Presi.
dent the advisability of acting upon the
suggestion for conference made by
President Lewis of the United Mine
Workers, who asked that the operators
and miners be called together to dis.
cuss the matter OF settlement. In many
quarters it is believed that such con-
ference would greatly strengthen union
labor rather than facilitate any settle
ment of the strike. Mr.. Gompers said
that President Harding accorded him
the keenest interfst and sympathy as
the labor leader 'eviewed the strike