Southwest Washington labor press. [volume] (Hoquiam, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1924-12-12


business of wine making after he had
been raided successfully for twelve
weeks, and his profits taken from him.
Speed traps for autoists exist all
over the county. A deputy sheriff is
a walking speed trap. The condition
of the roads does not permit even
moderate rate of speed, yet autoists
from other counties are constantly
arrested, and required to put up
bonds of S25 to $50. If they appear
in the justice court they find no charge
entered against them, and the justice
denies knowing deputy of the name
given by the unfortunate autoist. He
never gets his money back. He has
simply paid toll and tribute to Cha
fms gang.
Chain Defies U. s. Agents
Chain has not only established him
self as a law unto himself, but he
has resented the interference by Fed
eral marshals or authorities with the
commission of crime in this county.
He has defed the Federal agents, at
tackled them, jailed them, and sought
to prevent their entry into the coun-
ty. His deputies are known to have
counseled assaults upon these agents
by law violators, and to have exerted
efforts to prevent Federal emissaries
from coming into the county.
Previous to the recent election
Chain and his deputies made a regu-
lar business of arresting Federal dep
uty marshals, combining them in Jail
for a night, OF few hours, and then
releasing them. Later, its was usually
found that a truck load or two of
"moonshine" had moved through Lo-
gan while the marshals were incar-
cerated. It was by this means that
liquor was distributed to almost every
polling place in Logan County on the
day before the election.
The stronghold of Chain is his con-
troll of the courts, the prosecuting at
torney's office and the functions of
two seryile justices of the peace, both
of whom have waxed immensely
wealthy while in office. The law of
West Virginia allows a justice to i'm
pose a Jail sentence of six months,
with fine. This law is the weapon
and strong arm of Don Chain.
People Afraid of Chafin
The people of Logan County have
been, and are, without protection ex-
cept such as is afforded by the liking
ship" of Chain. They have not dared
to resist him. Often, without the al
legation of any crime, they have hid
den in the mountains to avoid the
vengeance of himself and his deputies.
They have submitted to him as
against the Federal authorities.
Negroes and foreigners in the coun-
ty have been killed at random. Men
have been killed while confined in the
local Jail. The county is rife with ru-
mors of men killed, and their bodies
destroyed in the furnaces of boilers.
Men are brutally beaten, and herded
like sheep on outgoing trains, and
told not to return.
The Mayor of Charleston, the CAPT
tai of the State, came to Logan on
a business mission. As he stepped
from the train a deputy sheriff ac-
costed him and demanded to know his
business, and why he came here.
Operators Sanction Terrorism
Coal operators of the county either
sanction the Chain reign of terror
ism, or dare not raise their voices in
protest. They are as much the VIC
Tins of graft and lawlessness of the
Chain regime as other tax payers and
property owners.
The operators not only pay tribute
to Chain for the "employment" of
deputy sheriffs, but they employ or
discharge men on the demand of Chat
in and his gang. They contribute to
Chains campaign fund, and comply
with his bidding. The rule Of Chain
is as complete over these operators
as it is over the smallest taxpayer in
the county.
Judge MeClintic Of the United
States district court has found it nee
'essary in the discharge of his duties
TO virtually assume the powers Of a
Governor Of the State in Logan
County. Appeals to Governor Nor
gan for assistance or relief have Of
ten been made, accompanied by aft
davits. His usual reply has been:
This appears to be an outrageous
proceeding, but / do not like to act
on ex parte affidavits."