New Britain herald., 1921-08-25
Martial Law Unpopular Among West Virginia People-Mostly Miners In Line Some Are Ex- Service Men
General Bandbraltz and Col Onial Ford Are Ordered to Troubled Area to Investi- gate Conditions.

Racine, w. Va, Aug. 25.-A crowd of men, estimated at between 5000 and 5000, reached here this morning from Marmet where they had been in camp. Many of them openly sad they were marching to Mingo county where martial law. declared several months ago by Governor Morgan, is still in force. They were apparently without leaders and struggled into town. although a compact body held the main highway.
 While it was declared by some of lhe men who talked with citizens here that the majority of the marchers were m nerS. determined to carry out their protest against what they termed the mine guard system" they ad- mitted that others were included n their ranks One marcher said that lot of service men" were with them. miners who had been in the world war.
 Many Carry Guns.
 Many of the men carried guns and it was said that others had pistols although numbers of them said they were without firearms of any kind.
 Upon reaching Racine they spread themselves ever the town and in adjacent fields where they breakfast ed. A number of wagons accompanied them carrying provisions,
 Just. who this food was for was not determined as scores of the marchers patronized stores and restaurants here for their breakfast They were cheer full and those who talked with towns people were almost a unit in saying that they proposed to see their plan through and that the march would end at the Tug river on the Kentucky border
 Possibility cf RlnT s,i
 Details of tho march from Marnet Were withheld. It was said by some of the rI,archors. however. that they had been cn their way the most Of the night.
 Inquiry failed to reveal just how long they expected to stay in Racine but at 20 9. m. he column had not refarme1 ! ard there was no indication that they were in haste to resume the journey.
 Governo- Morgan EantI Troops.
 Washington, Aug. 95. - An urgent appeal for federal troops to restore order and prevent further 1awlessness on .tha rart of striking miners in the Mingo coal fields of West Virginia was received today at the War department
 The request for troops made by Governor Morgan of West Nirgf mia said that a force Of 1000 men was needed. Acting Secretary of War Wa nwright immediately ordered Brig. Gen. Read. commander of the Fifth corps area with headquarters at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind, to. hold troors available for quick dispatch to tho West Virginia coal fields
 Gecncral BandhoItz to Investigate.
 Brig. Gen. H. H. Bandholtz, former provost marshal general of the A. E. F. and designated counaan nder of the new army district of Washington and Col. Stanley H. Ford were ordered to proceed immediately to Charleston. w. Va. to conduct an investigation as to conditions in the troubled area.
 Miners Heavily Armed.
 Governor Morgan in his message. said a mob of striking miners heavily armed and equipped with several ma chine guns had mobilized near Mar met, 12 miles from Charleston and now was marching on the Mingo and Logan county mines.
 President Harding has been advised of the conditions as described by Gov ernor Morgan and Major Russell, Sec retary Wright said. Should federal troops be sent, 1t was said, Gen. Band holtZ would be in command.