The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-04-16

speed. Boos greeted its appearance and disappear
In groups and pairs miners and synipathizers
came from all sides to weld IN with the compact
mass
In this crowd were OF al nationalities. united
under the banner Of solidarity. Hard, rugged faces
of Slavic extraction b0bbcd in and M; Of each others
gaze. Men with shirts unbuttoned at the neck and
dressed in saggy trousers greeted those they recog-
nized friends. Their voluble~ talk was confined
for most part to yesterdays clash with the mine
operators gunner during which number Of min-
ers were badly beaten.
After instructions from union leaders, the line
began to steadily towards the mine district.
Those in the foreranks carried placards bearing
ave want no sliding scale-it always slides down"
"Organize the non-union mines," workers. Strike
together" Up the main street they wended, gain
ing momentary impetus as more and people
fell in line. Within the hour they appeared at the
mine gates. detachment of the coal and iron
police met the advance guards. Neither side took
heed of the other. police sergeant stepped ahead
"GO on break this up or you'll be kissed by a bullet
up your behind" Strike orders were given by
Sheriff Braun OF the Allegheny district not to al
low any picketing.
His instructions were being obeyed The "police"
drew their guns. "Gve it TO EN-" commanded the
sergeant. As the miners drew closer, the police
man nearest to them levelled his rifle and shot.
Others waded into the swafming crowd, and tore
GOWN Che banners. The miners stirred by bad liv-
ing conditions to rebellion gripped with strong
anger One Of their number fell with a bullet in
his chest. Pools of blood formed, into which NOV
ing feet stopped leaving specimens of footprints
on the ground. The long liIe surged unevenly from
side to side. desire TO break thru the barrier Of
guns was heard everywhere,
Down below the non-union miners were startled
by the shots. natural intuition informed them
what happened. They dropped their tools and those
on the upper drifts darted out of the pit to see
what it was. minute later the men were grouped
about in lunches. ''What happened jedi" "Ther's
he'll doin!-looks like some strikers were shot,"
The angry shouts Of the miners heard in hells
coal bin sense of shame altered the expression
on their faces. A miner broke the silence by shout
ing "Pm thru with this lousy game. Who's got
the CUTS to follow me?" Hurried chances were ex-
changed. "Were with you," they chorused After a
brief consultation, they dsregarded the pleas Of
the mine formcmen, and decided to quit work Every
one picked something up, knowing that they would
have to fight the police to get thru and piled into
the cages.
The miners were steadily retreating before the
onslaught of the police Suddenly cry of "Look
boys They're coming up turned their gaze. Men
stood on hp-toes to watch the non-union miners
emerge from the pits One after another the former
scabs awakened by innate class consciousness
came to the ground. When they reached the surface
they brushed the carbide from their unt lamps,
and pressed together. Only the pumpmen remained
underground
Gan accident must have happened sounded from
the midst of the strikers ranks. NO. they're join
ing u.s." said another. Their temporary anger was
forgotten by the unexpected turn of events The
non-union miners advanced in a body towards the
gate. "Wo're with you boys" they shouted. "Hur-
rah for solidarity" escaped anothers lips.
barrier of drawn guns, with fingers held against
the triggers separated the two cheering groups
which momcntary drew closer and Closer