The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-01
STEEL TRUST
Mine GIVES
UP ITS DEAD
Furnace Glare Lights
Tragic Scene

EefeQ the 66nWOOQ Mill mine OF
the Wheeling Steel Corporation
at Benwood on Monday were
killed in the gas explosion which
wrecked the workings. Seven
ty-six charred bodies, had been
removed from the mine at dawn
today. Rescue squads continue
to push their way thru the bar
riers of stone and dirt that block
the passageways.
Scab Mine.
The Wheeling Steel Corpora
ton operates blast furnaces,
bar, sheet and tin mills in
Wheeling and various other
towns in the vicinity. All the
operations of this corporation
are strictly non-union altho
formerly some of the steel mills
were organized.
The Amalgamated Association of
Iron, Steel and Tin Workers is still Of
fcially maintaining a strike at the
steel mills but this has been going on
for so long that the mills have ap-
parently secured all the help needed.
The coal diggers entered the scab
mine the morning after it was de-
clared safe. The mine is an old one
and was considered dangerous. The
scene around the mouth of the pit is
heartrending. Men and women re-
main there in the drizzling rain in a
sort Of stupor waiting for the rescue
squads to bring the charred and
crushed bodies of their husbands,
fathers or sons to the surface.
Explosion Mystery?
The president Of the scab corpora
ton issued a statement He does not
know what caused the explosion. 1t
was gas explosion, but why there
was such an explosion he did not
know. Did not an inspector declare
the mine safe? But mine inspectors
are too often tools of the coal barons
and the coal barons run West Va.
Only the lives of workers were at
stake and labor is plentiful and scab
labor is cheap. Why should the presi-
dent Of the corporation worry his head
over the cause of the gas explosion.
Only the bodies of two victims have
been identified They are Mine Fore
man, George Holiday and his son,
George Holiday, Jr. Singing flame
and SCATTERING conclusion did the
dread work.
While the work of removing the
bodies of the corporations victims
was proceeding, the red flare of a
blast furnace, owned by the Wheeling
Steel Corporation leaped into the sky,
showering sparks. Its reflection
danced madly against the timbers of
the pit mouth glowing on the faces of
the men who were taking their dead
comrades out of the earth. The
glare from the furnace reflected the
brutal unconcern Of the great soulless
corporation for the lives of the work
ers who coin their blood and Drawn
into gold for its Golfers and give their
lives in its service.
THE DEAD
The list Of men entombed, all Of
whom are now believed dead, follows:
Rocco capabianco, Benwood.
Ray Rowlins, MoundsviIIe.
Theodore Runronski, address I'M
known.
Stanley 6arnoskie, Wheeling.
Andy canac, address unknown.
John Polisco. address unknown.
James Decocio, Benwood.
Lewellyn Joseph, Wheeling.
William Smith, Wheeling.
Joseph kerensku, address unknown.
Samuel Semchok, Moundsville.
John Kopcha, MoundsvilIe.
James Skuwney, 5enwood.
Russell Williams, address unknown.
Mark Crosby, Benwood.
John Dapos, Benwood.
Pat Syfana, BeIlaire, o.
James Howe, address unknown.
Angelo Seavrnous, 5enwood.
Stanley zelmbrzsky, Wheeling.
|. J. Boyle, 8enwood.
George stakoski address unknown.
Leonard levicki. Benwood.
Mike capabianeo, 5enwood.
John Frank, ST., Moundsville.
John Frank, Jr., Benwood.
Peter 5otzanls, 5enwood.
Alex sheldon, Wheeling.
Tony Melack. address unknown.
Joseph Pocnalle, address unknown.
George Costello, address unknown.
Walter Sneddon, Wheeling.
George w. Holiday, Jr., 5enwood.
William Webster, Wheeling.
Kenneth Ward, Moundsville.
Mike Petrick, address unknown.
Sam Dombrosk, Moundsville.
Alex Horwath, Boggs Run.
Emanuel Pavulas, Wheeling.
Nick MavroelnakIs, Wheeling.
George MeGilI, Wheeling.
Hugh McGlI, address unknown.
George w. Holiday Benwood.
Ienatz Dojewski, 723 Water st.