New-York tribune., 1921-05-18
Harding Tells
". Va. III, Stop
Battle Itself
Refuses TO Send Troops to
Scene of Mingo Mine
Disorders Until State
Has Exhausted Remedies
Cabinet Upholds Decision
Daugherty Says Guerrilla
Warfare Is Caused by
Professional Agitators
From The T1sbu,e's Washington Bureau

From The Tt5bane's Wdshington BitreaR
WAsHINGToN. May 1.-THE ques-
tion Of sending Federal troops to West
Virginia to quell striking coal miners
was bought to the attention of the
Cabin@s at to-day's meeting, and Cab
met members concurred with the Prssi-
dent and Secretary of War Weeks that
the situation did not warrant sending
troops
George E. Christian jr., secretary to
the President, directed letter to-day
TO Governor Morgan of West Virginia.
telling him the Presidents yicws and
stating that the President feels she is
not justified in directing the military
forces Of the nation to enter the State
Of West Virginia until he is well as
sure1f that the state has exhausted ali
it's resources"
Secretary of War Weeks, Attorney
General Daughcrty, Senator Davis Ell
kins, Of West Virginia, and a number
of editors from West Virginia con-
ferred regarding the situation fellow
ing the Cabinet meeting. As a result
Of the conference, Secretary OF War
Weeks said he was convinced the stu
alton did not call for sending regulars.
The President in discussing the mat
ter with his Cabinet said ne WAS not
satisfied that state government had en-
tirely failed. The President indicated
further, and his advisers concurred,
that the army was not police force
and that the state possessed certain
rights and obligations which it should
discharge itself.
Indications here are that there is
little chance that troops viii be sent
TO the coal fields. Major Thompson,
the officer sent by Major General Read,
commanding the Fifth Corps area, to
Investigate conditions, reported that
in his opinion regular troops were not
needed The major has been detailed
to the disturbed area for further IN
vcstigation, and upon his report will
hinge the final action taken BY the
War Department.
Following is the letter addressed to
Governor Morgan from the White
House:
to YOU the statement that the Federal
government is ever ready to perform It's
full duty in the maintenance of cousti-
tuted authority, but he feels he is not
justified in directing the military
forces Of the nation to enter the state
Of West Virginia until he IS we'll as
sured that the state has exhausted all
its resources in the performance Of the
NQtH EiEG1lJ OIiOiAS AAiE5 ~ - ~
situation has become a, menace TO the
Federal government or a hindrapce to
the performance Of its functions. On
the representations thus far made the
President is not convinced that West
Virginia has exhausted all it's own re
sources and he awaits more definite
assurances
The Attorney General expressed the
belief that the Mingo trouble is caused
byupGof ofessiopal agitators from Colo
rado, Alabama and certain other places.
This information did not reach h.m,
Z he %-'ssid, through. his depart Menta
agencies.
Charles, T. Eeeney. president sof"Dfs1
trict No. II of the United Nine Work
ers, in, "a statement issued tonight,
charged that 'the coal opeators, Gov
ernor Morgan and certain officials Of
Mingo County We're directly responsible
for the situation existing in the VIII
hanson coal district
Harry Olmstea, chairman Of the labor
committee OF the Williamson Coal Op-
orators Association, also issued a
statement in which he declared that
the outbreaks in the region exnress the