The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-08-05
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Troops Fired on : Mines
Operated Under state Guard
Near Staunton Engage As.
sailants in Battle.
Shortage in Illinois

Staunton, Ind, Aug. 4.-(By A. P.)
First hostilities incident to the at
tempted operation OF strip mines in
this vicinity under protection OF na-
tionalguard troops occurred today
when pickets on duty were fired on
from ambush.
The fire was returned by the
guards and later the outbreak spread
over the entire area under martial
law. Automatic rifles were brought
into play by the troops. Mines pick
cd ior operation have been taken
over by the state under direction OF
Governor McCray.
No One Injured.
Reports received by Mai. Gen.
Robest Tyndall, in command OF the
troops said that no one was injured.
II was said, however, by some of the
men on duty that one man was slight
ly injured.
Investigation by military officials
indicated that although the firing
lasted several hours, the attacking
party was small 1t was reported
that several men from nearby towns
came to this city and announc-
ed that they were going to get
flock Of soldiers" They fired on an
outpost and the fire was Immediately
returned. AS result of this firing
whenever there was any movement in
the woods nearby by the guardsmen
fired. Several men, who, when called
upon to halt by the guards were fired
upon when they failed to obey the
guards command.
Officers in command of the troops
bclitticd the affair, saying that it was
a minor skirmish. The situation was
regarded as quiet despite the firing
which began shortly after midnight
and continued until daybreak-
Shortage in Illinois.
Chicago, Aug. 4.-Illinois, re-
stricted to its own supply of coal,
faces the most critical situation that
it has been compelled to face, accord
ing to Robert M. Medill, state fuel
director.
Protection is to be assured tie rs
penal, reformatory and charitable in
stitutions and possibly to the Uni
versity of Illinois and the state nor
NAL schools.
Mr.. Medill left Chicago late yes
terday for Springfield, where he went
10 confer with Acting Governor
Sterling. Before he departed he said:
"Illinois now IS absolutely up
1gainst. it. am going to the capital
o arrange. if possible, with Acting
Governor Sterling some plan Of ac-
ion. Mr.. Sterling informed me by
telephone that there are no funds
available for action that is inevitable
and highly necessary in producing the
illinois coal and delivering it to the
cities that are in the greater distress"
The fuel director declared that or
iers received yesterday afternoon
rom Harry B. Spencer, national fuel
administrator, meant elimination of
my shipments of coal from the Ken
lucky and Illinois fields that have
been relied on for operation of street
,ars, gas, electric and water plants
throughout the state.
Shortage in Michigan. /
Lansing, Mich, Aug. 4.-With re-
quests for priority in coal distribu-
ion pouring into the office of State
Fuel Administrator William w.
Potter, reports to the state public
Utilities commission here today en-
phasized the seriousness of the coal
shortage. Industries in all parts of
he state face shutdowns, while the
coal supply of hospitals and many
public utilities has become short.
mo Authority"
,Des Moines, Ia, Aug. 4.-(By A.
N. E. Kendall, in a
statement today, declares the state
has no power or authority to take
'ver and operate privately owned coal
mines.
The statement, he announced, is
made in reply to numerous. sugges- h
ions coming from all parts of Iowa
hat the state take over the mines in
IN effort to Eelieve the coal shortage.
Erie to Cut Trains.
Hornell, N. Y, Aug. 4.-The Erie
:ailroad will cancel approximately 20
:rains in this region August S, it was
announced today. The can
celation is due to the shortage of
coal, the officials declared.