The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-09-22

y
cipal causes Of the armed struggle be-
tween the opposing factions In the
coal fields, will be one OF the matters
which will be thoroughly Investigated.
and 1t was learned authoritativeiy To-
day that Tom Felts, OF Bluefield, w.
Va, head Of the Baldwin-Felts de-
tectives will be subpoenaed to tell the
committee just how many or his OPP
eratives are employed by the coal
operators, and the number that are
now serving as members OF the State
constabulary.
Mine Ownership Vague.
The ownesship OF the coal mines.
both in the union and non-union
counties has not been explained to
the satisfaction Of the committee. and
additional efforts are to be made to
determine the exact control OF these
properties. It was limited today that
Judge Ebert H. Gary. Of the United
States Steel Corporation. might be
called before the committee. and It is
also understood that Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation
of Labor; and John L. Lewis, presi-
dent OF the United Mine Workers of
America, would be asked to testify.
Employment Of mine guards 10 pro.
hibited by a West Virginia statute Of
1918, but this law carried no penalty.
according to information given the
Senators by Attorney General Eng
land, Of West Virginia.
Just prior to the gathering of the
minors at Marmet, the starting point
Of the March to Mingo," which met
with opposition from Sheriff Don Cha
fins deputies at Blair mountain. rep
resentatives Of the miners had de-
manded that the State legislature con-
vene to amend this law so that severe
penalties would be imposed for viola.
ton of the mine guard statute"
The Attorney General also explain
ed there was no law in West Virginia
which prohibited union organizers
from entering non-union coal fields
for the purpose Of affiliating the
miners with the United Mine Work
ers, but that the State Supreme Court
mad held that organizers might be en-
joined from inducing men to break
contracts under which they mad agreed
not to Join the union.
Ask Arbitration.
In some quarters here 1t was be-
lieved that the Senate committee
would look with favor upon the recon-
mendations Of the United Mine Work.
ers of District II that q conference
be called between the miners and
operators as q means of adjusting
their differences, and as the first step
In the creation of q Federal concilia-
ton commission to iron out the diff
culties which had led to months OF
horror in the Tug, Coal and Guyan-
dotte river valleys.
Regardless of efforts being made
by Governor Morgan I'd establish law
and order in the turbulent coal fields,
the miners have lost faith In the
State government, and look to the
United States Government as the
only agency competent to deal with
the situation. Col jackson Arnold,
commandment of the State police, Is
rapidly gaining the confidence Of both
the warning factions, and may be
able to accomplish a great deal In
re-establishing peace between the
miners and operators. .H
Causes Not Stamped Out.
Aside from the dominant economic
phases OF the West Virginia situa-
ton however. the feuds and quarrels
which have sprung from the prin.
cipal struggle may In themselves
again plunge the State into civil war.
People In, the coal fields are look
ing forward expectantly to sthe day
of the trial In WEIGH of C. e. Lively,
a Baldwin Felts detective, who shot
and killed Sid Hatfield and Ed
Chambers few weeks ago. Many
believe that Lively will be killed by
members Of the Hatfield family as
soon as he enters the court house
yard at WEIGH.