Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-14
y. s. TROOPS READY
TO MARCH TO ". VA.
Force Large Enough to Curb
Disorders in Mingo County
Awaits Orders
GUN BATTLE FLAMES ANEW
BY the Associated Press

Washington, May 14.-Major Gcn.
eral Read, commandant Of the Fifth
Corps Area, was instructed today by
Secretary Weeks to send Federal troops
into Mingo County, West Virginia. If
the general deemed the presence Of
troops there necessary to qucll the bor-
der disturbance.
The number of troops was left to the
discretion of General Read, but Sec
retary Weeks order was that all tho
soldiers necessary to restore order bc
moved. General Read advised tho de-
partment yesterday that he was holding
a force in readiness, perding inStruc-
lions from Washington and adviccs
from a staff officer sent into Mingo
County to investigate the situation.
The question of sending troops to
quell the disturbance. II was said yes
terday at the War Department, had
been referred to President Harding, but
Secretary Weeks declined to say today
whether any instructions had come from
the President.
Williamson, w. Va, May l4.-Thc
battle in the mountains which has ragged
for two days between sympathizcrs and
opponents of the United Mine Workers
in the Williamson coal district was re-
sumed today at McCarr. Ky. and Lynn.
W. Va, little village near McCarr.
Firing also was reported at SprigS.
200 Fighting at McCarr
McCarr. according to the authorities,
is regarded as the most dangerous point
on the fighting front. It is estimated
that fully 200 men are in the mountains
there and steady firing is reported in
progress.
Reports from Rawl. Merrimac and
other points on the western end of the
front Indicate that there has been no
firing there since late yesterday after
noon. The total death list for the two
days fighting still was in doubt this
morning. At least five men are known
to have been killed, but uncontirm"d re-
ports of other killings continue to filter
into Williamson.
An emsSary of the State forces last
night approached the stronghold of a
leader OF the mountainPcrs under flag
Of truce and asked that the mountain
men cease firing into villages in this
region. The hill men replied that they
would accept truce only when the
firing from the Kentucky side of the
river had ceasd.
REPORTS received here at State police
headquarters for the district told of
general exodus of women and children
from the embattled mining towns. the
refugees going either to the hills not
infested with rifcmen or leaving the
district altogether.
The few remaining inhabitants hud-
died in hghtless houses and tent colonies,
hoping to find in the darkness safety
from the hail Of lead that had been
poured out at intervals a day long.
The battle IL merely phase
Of n greater struggle in which this rich
coal district is locked-the industrial
struggle over the question of unioniz-
ing or keeping "open' the mines.
Labor Leader Issues Statement
Union miners on "lockout strike"
az the leaders describe it. are cvicted
from homes owned by the coal cOmpa-
nies to settle near by on leased land
in tent colonies No longer able TO
trade at the company CommiSSarics at
the various mining towns. they sub
sist on rations shipped in by the inter-
national union.
David RObb. International financial
agent of the United Mine Workers, who
IT, directing union activities in this dis
trict, made public today the first state
ment he has issued since the industrial
warfare tiared up again.
1.-THE lockout strike in this field can
declared Mr.. Robb. asserting that the
battle which started Thursday had been
brought about by attacks on union
miners by non union men now employed
in the fields.
"a high percentage of the men now
out are Americans, natives of this dis
trict, and they do not propose 70 Ac
driven from their homcs. Anyone who
knows the mountainecr temperament
knows that they won't be inundated
and that they will not allow their
women and children to be made into
targets.
Pikeville, KY, May 14.--CBy 4. P.D
Terrific firing from both the Ken
tucky and West Virginia sides of the
Tug River, along the section that has
been in n virtual state of war for the
last forty eight 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.
MAD . 2 pIIM chAIINNI EDO