East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-09-12

(Note--Any comprehensive, dispas-
conditions underlyingSthe present tur-
bulent situation in West Virginia must
logically comprise two separate,
though interdependent chapters-first
the social-economic causes and effect
of the mining warfare, and, second
the emotional background of that Bit
ter struggle. The subjoined isthe first
of two articles dealing with the first
/, subject; the second win be discussed
in succeeding one. Both are based
upon the results Of the writer's sew
eral months personal investigation on
the spot.)
BY SIEGFRIED D, wEYER
international News Service Staff
Correspondent.
Copyright, 1921. by the International
News Service.)
NEW YORK, Sept. l2,-The Wesi
Virginia mining war which has again
necessitatcd federal Intervention. is, IN
the last analysis. an Armageddon he
tween organized capital ana organized
| labor. Upon its ultimate outcome
which seems far off-for the presen
government intervention can only en-
force an armistice bat cannot end thI
war-hinges, primarily, the issre q
| the closed or open shop.
The struggle between the coal ope
rators on the one side and the United
Mine Workers OF America on the othe
revolves around the non-union Goa
fields in the southern part Of tn
state, adjacent 10 the border of Ken
tuckyand West Virginia,
There are altogether $4,000 miner
In West Virginia. Approximately two
I thirds Of this total are union men
There are altogether some 10000 min
ers in the southern part OF the State
Of whom 1900 are union miners Il
Mingo County. The northern part I
almost solidly organized b. the Unior
Acid Test Of the Open Shop
But between Mlngo and the Mort
lies the crucial coal district-the Guy
an Valley, in Logan County. This
the richest black diamond field i
the country and one Of the richest &
the world. Together with various un
organized districts to the south It pro
duces enough coal to supply the Who'll
OF the United States in an emergency
From these mines is derived the fines
grade OF bituminous coal to be foun
anywhere on the face Of the globe
They hold the key to the country
coal industry. Consequently they forr
the crux OF the titanic oapItni-laho
struggle which once again has com
to a bloody climax.
These mines are unorganized. Wit
them stands or falls the open shoI
Logan County is tho bulwarli OF tn
coal operators In their determined las
stand against unionism. TO get thes
mines organized is the all-ovorshadow
ing aim Of the United Mine Worker
OF America To bring these non-unlo
miners-numbering between 1900
and 10000 men--into the field OF tn
American Federation of Labor Is tn
dream VI more than half n milliol
union miners in all parts OF the coun
i Try.
me coafN operators, on the othc
hand. are not one whit less determined
TO fight this unionizlng effort to tn
bitter end
The whole history OF the unionizinI
of the West Virginia coal fields I
written in the crimson of humai
blood The organization Of most of tn
fields Twas accomplished only afte
the miners moved on them en- masse
Nine years ago they swept down upol
the Paint and Cabin creek Mines. Il
Eanawha County unloosing civil wa
that cost 600 lives.
| In 1919, in the midst of the war, tn
great national coal strike was wrecke,
against the rock of non -unionism Ii
the south of West Virginia, notabl
the Logan mines as we'll as the unor