Evening star., 1922-06-24
By the Associated Press.


HERRIN. ILL.,. June pa state
military investigation of the Lester
mine massacre, which took betweer
twenty-five and forty lives, was begur
today by a board headed by Maj. Gen
Milton Foreman of the state militia
acting under orders from Gov. Lea
Small which were issued when the
chief executive became aroused ovei
failure of local officials to take any
steps against the miners who cap.
tured and killed the majority of STRIKE
breakers working In the strip mine.
Gen. Foreman and his COMMITTEES
reached here this morning, motoring
from Carbondale after reaching thert
by train. They were met by Col Sam
uel Hunter of the adjutant generalt
office, who has been here several days
His orders to return to Springfield to-
day were Cancelled and he Immediately
became a guide for the military board
Cen Foreman and the officers accom-
panying. him proceeded to Marion. tht
county seat. where conferences wiz
States Attorney Delous l.. Duty ant
Sheriff Melvin Thaxton were planned
A tour of the area of the night wal
made and il was expected that numer'
Gus persons believed to know somt'
thing of the disorders would be call
ed before the board.
Will Investigate Omcials.
Gen. Foreman has been instructed
particularly to learn why the stateI
attorney had not taken steps toward
converting a special grand jury, and
why the coroner'S inquest had no
been held and why these officials re-
peatedly refused to authorize Col
Hunter to call for troops, even aft
er an indignation meeting OF mineri
was held the day before the nGhtini
started and even after the iniheu
had marched on the mine. he also MAJ
been instructed. it was understood
to learn why Sheriff ThaNton repeat:
edly told Col. Hunter that he couit
handle the situation and yet iRhores
Col Hunters request that some sp.'
cial preparations for an emergency :"
made.
ont an adequate force OF deputiet
the night the fighting began ana our,
ing the following day, When allhos'
unheard-of deeds Of cruelty and oru.
tality were committed, also was
point to be investigated.
Requests Were Ignored.
Another matter to be looked int
was why numerous requests from tH
governor for information after 'ne
trouble started were ignored pS
county authorities and why, when W
vas receiving scores Of telegram
from nriyate citizens telling of the
outraees. he was continually INFORM
cd by the authorities that the situs.
ton was well in hand ana that 'h
troops were not needed Ihere "a3
little doubt that Gen. Foreman ahe
his board would not receive wei
! come of any particular cordiai'''
from the county as whcle.
Williamson county has SHOWN a de'
cided disinclination TO welcome any
outside interference in the massacre
which is locked on as loca, anan
which should he ignored by the res
of the world. Persons on the strep
have been heard repeatedly to re;
mark that if troops had been SEM
! their guns would have been takos
away from them.
! Resent Sending Of Board.
! Comment on the streets expressed
! resentment over the sending of the
military board, although officials sait
they would gladly cooperate with 1t
Col. Hunter. who. the governor said
| might have been Influenced wrongly
by local officials because he is ma
tive Of Marion, said that he was Ger.
! tain the board would not aim any
| investigation at him.
| ~ did my duty, and even c1ccede'
! 1t at tines. he said, II have girci
almost continuous reports to my su
! periors at Springfield. ] have re
/ peatedly stated that the local offciali
were lax in their preparations for th'
! trouble expected and I'm the investi
cations of II. l am glad the governo!
has taken this step, for II will bcai
| out my own official reports"
/ Sheriff Thaxton and Mr.. Duty botA
! promised cooperation.
| The situation in the county wal
made considerably more tense for I
! short time last night when scores oi
caretakers guarding the mines during
the strike through agreement be-
| tween owners and unions. quit wort
under threats from groups of miners
Shortly afterward Hugh Willis, dis.
trict board member of the union, and
other officials persuaded them to re.
/ turn after miner guards had beef
stationed to protect them. Had the
men remained away, millions OF dol.
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