The Connecticut labor news., 1923-09-15

has met with little success because ot the apparent indifference of local of fcials, who seem to regard the taking of the life of a union miner as legitimate pastime which may be in- dulged in without hindrance by com pany gunmen. It is our hope, there fore, that the United States Coal Commission will take an entirely diff ferent view of the matter and that 1t will condemn that practice in it's most severe and emphatic manner
 We are hoping that when your report on this subject is made public 1t will declare positively against continuance of the present gunman and armed guard sysrem in these coal mining fields. We are hoping that the commission will pronounce clear ly the principle that every man has the right as an American citizen to join labor union if he sees fit to do so, and that this right shall not be interfered with by, coal companies through the use of vicious, violent, unlawful, murderous methods.
 "As further proof of what we have told the commission in regard to the policy of assault other violence with which non-un1on, companies seek to keep their employees from joining the miners union, permit us to point out to you a very recent case in North president of District Mo-. 30, United Mine Workers of America. District No. 30 includes the Northeastern Kentucky mining field, which is prac- tically all nonunion. The United Mine Workers of America has few, local unions in that field, but the membership is small, because of the methods employed by coal companies to prevent the union from obtaining "a foothold.
 "On Aug. 3 MT. Pascoe went from his headquarters at Ashland, Ky, to Paintsville on business Upon his ar rival at Huntsville, Mr. Pascoe was followed and his footsteps were dogged by hired emissaries of coal companies. These men remained out side a restaurant until MT. Pascoe had finished his luncheon at noon. MT. Pascoe came out of the restau- rant and sat in a chair on the porch. Without warning ard without saying a word, one of these company thugs walked over and struck MT Pascoe a terrific blow in the face. This was followed by a general and complete beating up.' Blow after blow was rained upon him until MT. Pascoe was rendered entirely helpless His jaw was dislocated and his right cheek bone was crushed. His face was com pletely dishgured as a result of this beating. MT. Pascoe identified his as sailant as hired guard of non union coal company in that field. It was only when railroad employe in terfered that the company thug ceased his assault on Mr. Pascoe
 "Following this brutal attack, MT. Pascoe went to a local hospital at Paintsville for frst-aid and treatment, but this was refused him. The inf1u- ence of these coal companies in their communities Is so powerful that no one is safe in doing anything for a tInion miner. Therefore. MT. Pascoe was obliged to nurse his own wounds and await treatment and relief until he could get back to Ashland
 "This is but one of the hundreds of cases that are on record, but 1t is fair sample of the methods that are employed by these non-union coal companies. The Pascoe case is no different from the scores of others that happen continually in Southern West Virginia, Alabama, Colorado, Utah, Maryland and elsewhere where the union is weak The United Mine Workers of America are praying this commission for some sort of action or recommendation that will bring the true situation squarely before the American public.
 Respectfully submitted, I "Ellis Searles, John Moore, Thomas
 Kennedy, Committee, representing
 United Mine Workers of America"