Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-09-02
WAR DEPARTMENT To
TAKE over CONTROL
OF RIOT SITUATION
Washington, Sept. 3.-Federal troops from four
camps, numbering approximately 1000 men, were
at noon today either enroute IN readiness to move


federal government to
restore order in the coal fields.
Secretary Weeks said he believed
that as soon as the troops reached
the disturbed area the armed bands
responsible for the troubles would
voluntarily disperse
Meanwhile second step-declara-
tion OF martial law in five Counties
was deferred pending arrival of troops
at their destination Preparation by
the army, general army staff provide
several units of the chemical warfare
service with equipment for using tear
producing gas.
Battle Rages in Mountains.
Logan, Sept 3--The fighting which
has been going on thruout the morning
on Spruce Fork Ridge was continuing
this afternoon. according to advices
brought here by state police. "It was
the hardest fights was ever in" said
one of the men.
1t was officially announced at noon
that heavy firing was taking place at
Blair Mountain, Mill Greek and Crick-
ct Creek.
Col Eubanks said that one logan
man had been wounded on Blair
mountain and five of the opposing
forces had been seen to fall. Elbank
has been notified that troops should
reach Logan by 5 p. m
Miners Shift Position.
Madison, w. Va Sept. "A G. and
o. train which the armed forces
Earound Blair have been using sinco
regular service on the little coal
river branch was stopped, passed
! through there today bound for
! Wlatesville mining village on the
Wyoming county border In one car.
it was said, were the bodies OF mum
Der of Whitesvile men Who fell In
the fighting on Blair Mountain. A
physician said he treated two men,
one Of them being wounded in the
arm, and the other claimed he had
fallen off cliff.
Twenty infantry Entrains.
Camp Dix, n j., Sept members
of the Twenty-sixth Infantry began
entraning here at 8 a, IN. and were
expected to leave for the West Vir-
ginia coal fields in about half hour.
The Sixteenth Regiment also was pre-
pared to move, but at this hour orders
for its departure had not been re-
ceiyGd
Troops Ordered to Entrain.
Washington, Sept. 2.-Orders for
the immediate entrainmcnt Of troops
for the West Virginia strike zone were
isucd earl ytoday by Major General
HarbOri assistant chief of staff.
Action was postponed. however, on
the question of declaring martial law
pending conferences between Secre-
tary Weeks and other government Of
licials with President Harding The
proclamation has been signed and re-
quircs only issuance to become ef-
fectiyc.
The orders were issued as the re-
suit of telegram from Brigadier
General H. H. Bandholtz, who was
sent by Secretary Weeks to report on
the situation and particularly upon
whether the strikers would Gccede to
President Hardng's command that
they disperae General Bandholtz at
midnight last night recommended
that troops be sent "at once"
The Bandholtz Message.
Gen BandhOltz message sent after
midnight, on which the troop move
ment was ordered was given out as
follows:
investigators returned about 1870
tonight The invaders have not obey
ed the presidents proclamation and
there is no apparent determination
to do so. It is recommended that
troops be sent without delay"
Gen. Bandhotz was in frequent
communication with the war depart
ment before noon He reported that
Philip Murray. international vice
president Of the United Mine Work
ers, had Joined in urging upon him a
recommendation for troops.
! The general also said the second
group Of army airplanes ordered from
| Langley field to the disturbed district
/ were forced down by storm at Roa-
noke, Va last night but had resum-
ed the journey. Army officers said
! the planes would be used for scouting.
4oth infantry Departs.
| Louisville. Sept 2.--The fortieth in
| fantry with full equipment for pro-
I tracted field service but without
artillery entrained at Camp Knox
near here today for West Virginia.
Troops From Ft Thomas.
Fort Thomas, KY Sept. 1.-Two
companies left here today for the
, West Virginia coal fields.
10th Gets Under Way.
Camp sherman. Sept 1.-Two troop
trains carrying the 18th infantry left
(. for the West Virginia mine district at
9:20.