The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-30
Harding May Order Fed
eral Troops to Scene
of Trouble.

NaSnIngl0ns aug. 5Us-fFeSl-
dent HaIding signed today
proclamation calling on diSor-
derly elements in the mining
districts of West Virginia TO
disperse and return to their
homes by Sept /. at noon.
Secretary Weeks announced
that the text of the presidents
proclamation would be issued
within half an hour and said
that Brigadier General ii. II.
BandhO,tz had been ordered
back to West Virginia to see
that all dis0rderly elements
complied with the instructions
to return home.
Administration officials em-
phasized that unless there was
prompt compliance with the
proclamation martial law would
be declared.
Major General HarbOrd, as
sistant chief-0f-staff, on leaV-
ing the conference at the White
house, had understood the proc
Iamation declared martial law.
That, however, was corrected
by Secretary Weeks a moment
later as he came from the con-
ference.
Madison, W. Va, Aug. 30-(Unit-
ed Press. miners were reported
forming in battle line near Blair,
Logan county. today, preparatory
to a march "over the ridge" that
separates them from the camp Of
deputies and state police.
More than threa thousand min
ers are said to have been mObiliz-
ed for the advance. During the
night and early today bands OF min
ers heavily armed from the Kama
wha and Coal River fields passed
this town on their way to
the place of assembly, County Pro-
secutor Mullens reported to state
Reinforcements of union miners
were said to be on their way from
Ohio and Illinois to join the camp
Of the invaders.
Citizens, many of them World
war veterans, have been recruited
iEto the ranks of civil authorities
bent on defending the sovereignty
If Logan and Mingo counties.
Clash Inevitable.
A bloody battle is inevitable IN
,ase the miners carry out their ad-
yance into Logan county on their
way to Mingo.
Charleston, w. Va, Aug. 30.-(By
he Associated Press. Between
1000 and 5000 armed men have as
embled at Jeffery, in Boone coun-
Y, close to the Logan county line,
to official advicCs raCeiy-
d here today. They are within easy
triking distance Of the disturbed
ection of Logan county where four
men were killed in a fight with
tate troopers and deputy shsriffs
sunday morning.
Conference at 2 O'clock
Washington, Aug. 60 tUnited
'ress. .)-Decision on the urgent re
Iuest of Governor Morgan, West
Virginia, for federal troops TO take
:harge of the situation developing
rom the threat of several thousand
Lrmed coal miners to march on
dingo and Logan counties will be
cached this afternoon, Secretary Of
Var Weeks said today. Weeks
made the announcement after a
conference between President Har-
ling, Weeks, Brigadier- General
and General Harbord,
acting chief of staff, broke up near
loon today.
Another conference will be held
It 2 O'Clock when it is hoped a re-
port from an army officer now on
he scene of trouble Will help Pres
dent Harding to decide on whether
o send troops.
Lewis Request Refused
Washington, Aug. -(Associat-
ID Press. s.)-Presiden Harding has
declined to accede to the request OF
John L. Lewis, president OF the
United Mine Workers OF America,
or a conference between miners
md operators 10 thresh out the
West Virginia coal troubles.
Decision as to whether federal
.roops would be sent to West Vtr-
sinia, however, will await a confer
snce to be held at the White house
II 2 O'Clock this afternoon
Indianapolis, Ind, Aug. 30.-John
= Lewis, president OF the United
Nine Workers of America, had not
received the communication from
President Harding this morning in
which the president was reported
% have declined TO call a confer
snce to discuss the trouble in the
Vest Virginia coal fields.
Mr.. Lewis said he would make no
comment until he received the pres
dents letter.