Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1922-06-28
MASSACRE Is
BLAM Ed ON
COALCOMP ANY
Leader of Miners Urges
That Operators Be Made
to Pay-Files Official Re-
port.

| Herrin, H., June 27.-offieials of
| the Southern Illinois Coal Company
lshouid be the ones made TO pay
as result of the slaughter of 10
inonunion workers and two union
miners in the battles of last Wednes-
day and Thursday, it was urged in
long official report to Secretary
| of Labor James Davis, made yester-
i day by State Senator William j.
Sneed head Of the Williamson coun-
ty miners.
Senator Sneed, who at the time OF
the murders, was absent in Spring
field, as a delegate to the consti-
tutional convention, declared that
upon Mr.. Lester lies the blame for
this whole horrible affair"
mot only is his company respon-
sible for the loss Of these lives
reads Senator Sneeds report, but
they are also solely responsible for
the stigma and black smirch that
has so unfortunately fastened itself
upon the citizens of Williamson
county and the city of Herrin.'
The tenor of Senator Sneed's out
line of the miners' side of the case
comes as an echo to the verdict &C
the eoroners Jury. Sunday which
likewise placed the entire blame
for the tragedy at the door of the
coal company
Senator Sneed declared that lit
is a fact we'll known by hundreds
of our best citizens, that the sheriff,
his deputies, the states attorney.
Col. Samuel N. Hunter, and many
influential citizens, did everything
humanity possible to ward off this
great crime"
Says Guards Were Thugs.
The senator's statement holds that
the guards brought to Herrin by the
coal company were merely gunner"
who "used every device, apparently
at their command, . to preclpitate
trouble.'
Senator Sneed expresses the first
formal and official word OF "regret"
for the. crimes that has yet been
Issued in Williamson county.
What happened was so out OF
keeping with the harmony and peace
that has reigned SO completely for
20 years in Williamson county, that
"a oh y
zcns, but to the whole state OF
Illinois, and every honest and sim
cere trade unionist regrets it, the
report said.
The report emphasizes the peace
and tranquility characterizing the
strike situation throughout Illinois
fields before the Southern company
began operation on a nonunion basis.
This nonunion operation began about
the middle of June after union en-
plOycs, in compliance with rcgula-
.tions of their Police Committee, re-
fused to load coal until an agree
ment between the operators and
men was brought about, Senator
Sneed said
"Then men were imported to load
the coal and with them guards and
giinmen," he says. These guards
were given high powered rifles and
side arms which they flourished
when intercepting and intimidating
citizens, who night and day travel
ed the highway"
Accuses Company President.
Efforts of Mr.. Lester to Influence
Governor Small to bring in troops
under the representation that "hcll
will break loose down there" are
charged in the report. complete
history of reported efforts of the
senator, Sheriff Thraxton, Col. Hun
ter, sent out by state Adjt. Gen
Carlos Black, and of others to per-
Guade the company officials to modi-
Fly their policy of operation is given.
States Attorney Duty conferred
with Circuit Judge Levitt T. Hart
we'll yesterday relative to calling
OF ID special grand jury, it was said.
The next regular court term begins
July II. The states attorney in
dicated Ne did not believe action
should be so long delayed.
III, ia. Mipcrr Warmed