Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-25
MINE DISORDERS
ARE SUBJECT Of
SENATE DEBATE
Myers Says They Are Proof
That There Is No Free
America; Bursum Claims
Authorities Were Lax.
tBy The Associat ted press.)

washington, June 24.--T n e
southern Illinois mine disorder
was held UP by Senator Myers,
democrat, of Montana. in the SEN
ate today as proof" that there is
no free America and a justification
for the assertion that there can be
no free America so long as Ameri-
can citizens cannot work where.
when. for whom and at whatever
price they choose without seeking
the consent of an invisible govern
ment, an organized minority. The
Montana senator read to the SEN
ate news dispatches recounting de-
tails of the disorders in the Herrin
district. declaring them to be more
horrible than those committed by
the Germans during the war,
atrocities which men stood here on
this floor and condemned in the
most vigorous fashion,
He asserted that most of the vic.
Tins of the massacre were men
guilty only of the crime of exer
cising their constitutional rights OF
earning an honest days wage"
Senator Borah. republican. OF
Idaho, made inquiries as to wheth-
er they were there in good faith
or as strikebreakers The Mon
tana senator replied that it made
no difference.
"We Call This Free America
1--WE call this free America" he
continued, "and as free American
citizens those men were attempting
to sell what they had to dispose of
their labor. They found nen Nho
wanted to buy that labor. The
price was arranged. Thc nen went
to work. They have n constitn-
tional right to be protected in that
work. Their employers nave the
right to be protected N hiring
them"
Senator Borah declared condi-
tions should be taken into account.
Mine operators, he said, should
have known by experience what
the results of other attempts to use
strikebreakers have been but added
that even as strikebreakers, the
workers had the right of protec-
ton.
Senator Myers said "coal is a
national necessity. 1t was not only
the right. but the duty of the mine
owners to keep those mines open
and running, to keep producing
coal"
Senator Myers agreed with Sem
ator Bursum, republican. of New
Mexico, that the Illinois authori-
ties were lax in maintaining order
and protection for the workers In
Herrin.
"The fault was failure OF the
government OF the state OF Illinois
to do its duty" said Senator Bur-
sum.
"Undoubtedly there was derel!c-
tion on the part of the state au-
'thorities," said Senator Myers. add
ing:
'They will be derelict further, ]
predict that there will be 10 pun
ishment for these outrages. There
will be a grand jury but on 1t Will
be business men who fear 51ycott
of their business and men VINO seek
election. 1t will be passed over
only to serve to incite others 10
like crimes"
Senator Myers declared vigor-
ously against federal intervention
to settle the coal strike. which, ne
said, he had seen was Under con-
sideration.
Patched Up Peace.
"That Is the worst thing that
could be DONE" he said. THE
states ought to do their duty and
protect men who desire honest
work and let the strike run its
course. If the government inter-
venes it is sure to result In a
patched up peace and further out
breaks later"
Recalling past strikes and settle
ments, Senator Myers said that If
the states would protect men who
desired to work and furnish coal
to the public, the strike would be
settled sin natural course and
with beneficial results to the coun-
try.