The New York herald., 1922-06-25
ILLINOIS MASSACRE
ROUSES THE SENATE
Myers (MOnt.) Calls 1t Worse
Atrocity Than Any Com
mitted in War.
MAY FORCE STRIKES END
Plan Developing for Face to
Face Conferences of the
Miners and Owners.
MAY FORCE STRIKES END
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. June "a !
The outrage at Herrin. where nom
union miners were shot down and
killed by union miners. was discussed
on the Senate floor to-day by Senator
Myers Dem.. Mont.). He called it
an atrocity more despicable than any
committed by Germany during the war
and without parallel in the history Of
this country. He demanded Federal
action. but expressed the belief it would
not be taken and also that the local
authorities will not act.
Senator Myers's speech came while
members of the Senate in the corridors
were discussing the possibility of Senate
action in this case and in connection
with the coal strike In general.
Senator Borah Udaho), chairman of
the Committee on Educationand Labor,
let 1t be known he did not feel like
taking any immediate action relative
to the coal strike, in view of the fact
that the executive branch Of the Gov
ernment seemed disposed to move to
end the strike. Suggestion of Senate
investigation Of the Herrin massacre
was discouraged pending more detailed
information as to what really occurred
there and the action local authorities
may take.
Senator Myers said the Government
is being dominated by organized minori-
ties, intimating this is true of the Sen
ate as it Is elsewhere. The dominance
of minorites, he declared. Is the great
est menace facing the country. He de-
clared it the right Of an American citi-
zen to seek employment where he
pleases, with the protection Of the law.
Men mt Work Butchered.
"rl.'e is boasted America" said SEN
ator .G.yers, where every American
citizen and every alien resident who de-
ports himself according to the law is
guara nteed by the Constitution OF the
United States the right to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness.
What was the offense for which
these men were subjected TO these
frightful outrages and this terrible tor
ture, beaten to death. shot, killed,
hanged-shot down like dogs after they
had surrendered and after they ran up
the white flag? Forty or fifty Of them
in a corral were attacked by 5000
armed men, who. when they were at
tackled. Immediately surrendered and
who were then taken out ana SHOl uoWi
unarmed, defenseless, powerless. What
is the offense for which this penalty was
visited upon them?
Were they guilty of murder, arson,
rape, burglary. treason to their country?
Had these men outraged little girls, had
they been guilty of burglary. had they
burned buildings or dynamited Histories
Were they guilty Of murder? No, none of
these things.
"They were guilty of exercising the
constitutional right of every American
citizen of working for living, or earn
ing an honest living with which to pay
honest debts and TO defray the living ex-
penses of their families. They had labor
which was for hire, of which they wanted
to dispose.
"They thought their rights were guar
anteed by the Constitution Of the United
States and the constitution of the State
of Illinois.
"They thought they would be pro-
tected by their Government. That is
the offense for which this terrible crime
was committed. crime horrible beyond
description. have during the progress
of the world war. and after the cessa-
ton of hostilities. stood on this floor
and condemned atrocities perpetrated
upon the troops and the people of the
Allies during the great war Others