The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-09-15

There has been so much written
a 80 much said Of controversial
nal ure concerning the attempt of
iiiion miners to invade two OF the
counties OF West Virginia TO com
~ IN onization Of non-union coal
niines and there has appeared such
4 b great amount of criticism OF West
ifginie in the eastern press, based
on misiff ormation, that l gladly
9aH myself of your invitation to
make d statement concerning this
fd0Yement and the necessity that
existed for the calling Of federal
troops.
As governor of West Virginia I
rave not participated and am not
interested In the program Of the
United Mine Workers Of America in
extending their organization into
& the non-unton coal fields OF West
Virginia and l have not parttcipat-
ed and am not interested in the ef-
forts of the coal operators in the
non-union fields in opposing union
\ ssfzatlon. | am interested, however.
both as an official and a citizen in
the maintenance OF law and the
representation Of order and all the
foyce at my command will be used
ID require those engaged in labor
strife, whether operator or miner.
union or non-unlon, to obey the
Jaws Of the state.
When became governor Of West
Virginia last March, six months
ago, a coal strike was existing in
ALingo county. 1t had originated in
duly, 1920, while my predecessor
\ MAS In office and twice prior to my
inauguration he had been compelled
80 seek the assistance of federal
troops to restore order after as
assinations, arson and various
criImes had been committed When
succeeded Governor Cornwell, the
roaI output of Mingo county was
normal, although the mine workers
Organization supported number of
tent colonies whose occupants have
Continued to draw relief from the
aiinerg treasury. This condition
still exists although the operators
d that county claim they have an
ample number OF men to man their
plants and point to the normal coal
Introduction as proof of their asser.
lion.
w F1lNCl 9blOSkNElkt'
asst May, two months after had
heen inaugurated, the adult male
residents Of the tent colonies, aid
ed by other persons living IN their
vicinity and in sympathy with
them, crossed the Tug river and
began an attack on several mining
communities on the West Virginia
side OF the river. The firing, OF
course, came from the Kentucky
Al that time, after the Joint re-
il6uest Of the Governor OF Kentucky
and myself, for federal Intervention
had failed, | sent the state police
force into that county to enforce
proclamation of martial law,
which prevented unlawful assem-
I1lages and later, when the troop
org were reinforced with two com
panies Of the enrolled militia Of
lGtngo county, enabled the authori-
ties to control the situation. At
the time the act creating the ma
tinnal guard was not in effect and
II was necessary to create the en-
rolled militia under an old statute.
Since the issuance of the procla-
nation OF martial law crime has de-
creased In Mingo county more than
ninety per cent normal conditions
are rapidly being restored, the
courts have begun to function and
those who were indicted there few
days ago by special grand Jury OF
the Circuit court, are assured OF n
apeedy trial. Among those who
& were indicted for murder, growing
" out OF the May shooting, were c.
Keeney and Fred Mooney, presI-
q emit and secretary OF District II OF
the United Mine Workers of Amer
Martial Law.
was the enforcement OF martial
laIs III Mingo county that was cited
reason for the mobilization of
Is armed miners Of Kanawha ana
Boone counties who we're later
Joined by armed bands from some
~ the mines in Raleigh and Fay
counties. It was announced
that the objective OF the march
WAS to resist martial law In Mingo
county. ~,
The insurrectionlsts exhibited
their antipathy toward law enforce
3 fdent, officers on August II. near
sharples, Boone county, when an
armed body Of sixty men held UP,
Fisarmed and robbed two state po-
iicemen OF their arms, equipment
md horses and under threats or
afed them to leave Boone county
-Four horses were stolen by the
II armed raiders.
two days after this event, on