Evening star., 1923-05-23
MASSACRE PROBE
BLOCKED AT HERR|N
State Investigators Unable
i to Cope With Hostility of
+. ToWnspeopIe.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, May 23.-Her-
rim still defes the state of Illinois.
the little coal mining town. scene of
one of the worst massacres in the in
dustrial history of the United States,
resents any effort to purge 1t OF
''blood guilt"
That is the outstanding, develop
ment to date Of the investigation or
dered by the general assembly into
the killing of the strikebreakers and
mine guards at the Lester Strip
mine, June 22. 1921. and the connec-
tfon Herewith of the failure of ef-
forts to punish those arrested for
murder. For four weeks the legis-
lative committee has tried to break
down the wall of secrecy that sur
with the attack on the mine and
the murder of the guards. 1t has
tried TO find out whether there was
any truth in allegations of political
protection. 1t failed.
Cannot Find Witnesses.
The committee now has asked au-
thority TO continue its sessions after
the legislature finally adjourns. Its
chairman. Frank Mccarthy, told his
associate members of the lawmaking
body that his committee has been
unable to locate material witnesses.
ard, with a corps of deputies, has
spent the last ten days in William
son county erdeavoring to round up,
missing material witnesses. Among
them are former members of the Her.
rim police force and certain union
officials. They cannot be located.
Chairman Mccarthy, in asking the
extension of time, frankly charged
that the failure of the Williamson
county officials to cooperate in the
iDVaSfjpa finr, ma RI ad
indicated that witnesses have evaded
service, waiting for the life of the
committee to end when the legisla-
ture finishes its sessions. Thus far
get any real information because of
this lack Of cooperation.
State Officers Clash.
The nam testimony developed, 9TH
er than that brought out at the ac-
tual trials. is the allegation by Sam
rel Hunter. personnel officer of
the Illinois National Guard, who said
lac ha-. oruered troops sent to Herrin
prior to the rioting and massacre.
This Adjt. Gen. Carlos Black denies.
Gov. Small, who testified, explained
the clash in the stories of His Of
hcers by saying each was acting in
good faith. The governor said he
himself was on trial at Waukegan
when the riots took place and knew
little at first hand about them, al
though intimating his absence from
the capital might have complicated
the situation.
The investigators held just single
session at Herrin. They found the
atmosphere distinctly hostile and re-
turned to the capital.
Despite allegations that the COM
mittee was playing politics. its mem
bers insist that they have been trying
their level best to develop the ac-
tual facts, and insist If it shall be
indicated that political protection
figured in the murders or the trials,
which ended with the acquittal of
all defendants arraigned, this will be
revealed. no matter who is hit.
AS proof of the committee claim,
Chairman Mccarthy insisted today
that the mere fact that only a nom
inal appropriation of S2500 is asked
in connection with the request for ex-
tended authority is sufficient reply
to those who raise the cry of poll
tics"
In the original riots twenty-six
were killed and, although the state
produced witnesses who swore posi-
lively TO the identity of the murder
ers, the men placed on trial on two
separate occasions were acquitted by
the juries and the court then dis
missed all pending indictments. The
cases were prosecuted with the state
attorney general aiding the local
prosecutor. and the evidence devel-
oped by the committee indicates that
the prosecution was complete and,
sincere.
Even though the committee is au-
thorized to continue its investiga-
that any further facts than those
already known can be. developed.
The present inquiry comes too late,
they suggest