The Topeka state journal., 1922-11-02
Coal BarOns Scored by Investi-
eating Committee.
Should Not Buy From Such
Operators, 1t Declares.
MANY FAMILIES NEEDING HELP
Charges Made by Miners on
Strike Are Confirmed.
Use Men Body and Souls to
Build Up AutOcraey.
fRx the Assoclated Press.l

Johnstown, Pa, Nov. 2.-The New
York City committee investigating
conditions in the BerwindWhite coal
mines reported today that the inquiry
had confirmed charges laid before
New York City officials by striking
miners of the company.
Goal should not be purchased from
operators who do not give their
miners a fair living, and square
deal" said Chairman Hirschfield be-
fore the committee.
The operators side of the contro-
versy has not been told. Several eff
forts were made to have the Berwind
White officials attend COMMITTEES
hearings but the company refused TO
participate in any meeting where rep
resentatives of the u. NJ w. A. were
present.
Commissioner Hirschfieid's state
ment held e. ]. Berwind responsible
for conditions which the COMMITTEES
declared existed in the open shop OF
the Berwind-White company.
The statement follows:
1.-The committee appointed by May
or John E. HyIan of New York City
to investigate conditions in the coal
districts of central southwestern
the Berwind-White company, has dis
closed many amazing facts.
Controlled by Coal Company.
''The district in question, Somerset
county, is controlled bodily and polt-
ically by a coal corporation of which
z. j. Berwind is the moving power.
The same Z. J. Berwin0 is chairman
of the board if directors of the Inter
borough Rapid Transit company OF
New York and is a director of the
Pennsylyania system wh1cn hauls the
coal from the mines.
"The great Berwind-White inter
ests seem to have USED some 1000
men, bodies and souls, to build UP
ffor themselves an industrial autoc-
raey. The committee has heard har-
rowing stories of hardships endured
by the miners and their helpless fam
lilies since April s. when the men no
longer would endure the sting of the
corporation lash.
Found Babies Hungry.
I'VE have seen in the tents. in the
hen coops, and in the stables where
the miners ana their families sought
shelter after having been summarily
evicted from their homes by the coal
and iron police. hungry babies and
women whose feet were bare and
bleeding and whose limbs were thinly
clad.
Scores of these persons, poverty
stricken and unable to go thru the
coming winter unless help is given
them, poured out such tales of suf-
fering and mistreatment as would
melt any heart except that IN the
stony bosom of a coal baron.
Yesterday we went into a coal
mine We saw how the men have to
work-crouching or lying in cramped
quarters. We were told this was one
Of the best mines from a standpoint
Of comfort
Mayor Hylan's committee came TO
the coal districts with open minds.
From the very moment we reached
the stronghold of the Berwind White
company We were accorded no cour-
tesies by that corporation. Indeed in
suits were given Us It every possible
turn. Agents of the corporation spied
on us. Their local officials invited to
attend the hearings refused but said
they would meet the committee pri-
vately in their Offices"
Officials Are Silent.
(By the Associated PressJ
Windber, Pa, Nov. 2.-LocaI Off
cials of the Berwfnd White company
stated this afternoon that the oom-
pany had no comment or announce
ment to make" regarding the state
ment issued IN Johnstown by the
Hylan coal investigating committee
from New York