Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-14

A4VOVAS AAVAsV W sAA ~ ASAA-
larged Unless Federal
Troops Are Sent At Once.
Washington, May 14.-Martial s
law in the area of disturbance on
the West Virginia. Kentucky bor-
der is to be declared Immediately 3
by President Harding, Senator
Sutherland OF West Vhginis said
late today after conference -
with the president At the White
House.
Senator Sutherland took to the
White House 2 number Of appeals
for federal aid from citizens OF
West Virginia. One teiegraD
from G. r. Wilson OF Huntington,
said the people of Matewan, w.
Va, were being shot down Hike
rats.
Williamson, W. Va, May 1.-THE
battle in the mountains which has
ragged for two days between sympa-
thizers and opponents Of the United
Mine Workers in the Williamson coal
Carr. KY, and Lynn, w. Va, little
village near McCarr. Firing also was
reported at Sprigg.
More Men Killed.
Pikeville, Ky, May l4.-Terriae
firing from both the Kentucky and
West Virginia sides OF the Tug river
along the section that has been in q
virtual state Of war the last 48 hours
was resumed early today. according
to reports from Pike county officers
in the trouble zone.
From the West Virginia side came
word that number of men, whose
names had not been learned, were
killed.
Sheriff w. H. sowders this morning
sent out a call to every section OF the
county for deputy sheriffs, of whom
he has nearly 500, to report at once
for duty along the Kentucky side OF
the Tug river. He said that he would
make final effort to gain control of
the situation on the Kentucky side.
Troops Read TO Move.
Washington. May 14.-Ma;or Cen
eral Read. commandant of the fifth
corps area, was instructed today by
Secretary Weeks to send federal
troops into Mingo county, West Vir-
ginia, il the general deemed the pres
ence Of troops there necessary to
quell the border disturbance.
The number Of troops to go was
left to the discretion of General Read
but Secretary Weeks order was that
all the soldiers necessary to- restore
order be. moved / =
General Read advised that he was
holding force In readiness pending
Instructions from Washington and ad-
vices from a staff officer sent into
Mingo county to investigate the sit
uation.
The question of sending troops to
quel the disturbance, 1t was said
yesterday at the war department. had
been referred to President Harding
but Secretary Weeks declined to say
today whether any instructions hae
come from the president.
Secretary Weeks made public tele-
grams received yesterday from the
governors of West Virginia and Ken.
go county and requesting that fedora
troops take charge of the situation.
Fighting May Spread.
Williamson. May 14.-Telesram,
predicting a spread Of the mountain
fighting in the Williamson coal dis.
trict to a front SO miles long unless
federal troops are sel.t into the re-
gion at once, were dispatched to Gov
ernors Morgan OF West Virginia anG
Morrow of Kentucky by Harry Ohm.
stead acting chairman Of the labo,
committee of the Williamson Goa
Operators association.
Four Reported Killed.
Williamson, W. Va, May 14.-Ar
| unconfirmed report was received al
state police headquarters this after.
! noon that four men had been killed ir
the fighting at Lynn. w. Va. Captain
Brockus. who went to Matewan on q
special train shortly after noon. re.
ported by telephone to Williamson
that the firing had died down between
Rawl and Matewan. w. Va.
Reason For Fight.
Williamson, w. Va. May 14.-The
battle in the mountains of Mingc
county, W. Va, and Pike county
! Ky. along the Tug river. which has
| ragged for several days. fierce as it has
| been. is merely a phase OF greater
struggle in which this rich coal dis
trict is locked-the Industrial strug-
; gle over the question OF unionizins
or keeping open" the mines
Use Every known Weapon.
And that greater struggle is being
| waged with every knowI weapon.
Union miners on lockout strike
| as the leaders describe it, are evicted
fro:p homes owned by the coal com
panies, to settle nearby on leased
Land in tent colonies. No longer able
to trade at the company commissar-
les at the various mining towns, they
subsist on rations shiI ped In BY the
International union. &
Deprived of funds as q result at be-
ing out OF work. they draw benefits
from the International union.
Propaganda is being circulated BY
both sides, each blaming the other for
disorders. Acrimonious statements
and charges are launched by suppor-
ters of both factions. Threats and
rumors of threats are discussed in yir-
tua!ly every gathering. Men who have
followed the situation profess to re-
gard it as the most serious that has
arisen since the trouble began. not ex-
cepting the Matewan shooting last
May ~ in which ten were slain.
The operators are firm in their de-
termination to keep the field open Of
any cost. The United Mine workers
are equally determined in their insis-
tence that the struggle must 60 on
until their union is recognized. The
questions OF wages and working con-
/ ditions also enter into the disagree.
ment. but these admittedly are minoi
considerations. f&.'1s s.. 4, AZ
David Robb, internationnl financial
CONTINUED ON Pare 5.) sS