The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-04-16
Hell's Coal Bin

amable tranquility. Only the gurgling of a creek,
winding along the outskirts of the town disturbed
the quiet The waters, lined both sides by trees.
flowed swiftly on; breaking off into waterfall
under the old fork bridge It was still dark, the
dawn was beginning to creep thru mass of grey
colored vapor before which darkness assembled like
a giant curtain.
The air, usually suffused with coal dust was then
clear and cool. 1t rained during the night and the
ground was still moist In the distance smoke
emanating from the locomotive of passing train
dimmed temporarily the strip of blue s1y,swhich
was slowly breaking thru the horizon.
On the main road running parallel with the creek
moved struggling column of men. They walked
in silence, casting dark silhouette against slop-
ing hill. First family and then more distinctly
the line appeared Soon it could be distinguished
that they miners their way to the coeries
where they worked. Their faces were still obscure,
but it evident from their behavior that they
were uneasy.
More figures crept steathly out of their homes,
and hurried down side streets to join the early
morning procession. Single file sometimes two
abreast they walked, inteTuptng their silence only
by occasional Hello there" The marchers SEEM
ed to be in depressed mood. Their arms holding
dinner buckets swung In uneven strides While their
eyes, peering from behind half shut eyeids scanned
the faces of those nearest to them, fearful lest
they be by unknown.
The saucer-shaped valley of South Fork Law like
huge bowl in the midst of Pennsylvania central
competitive coal Half a mile from the resi-
Dental quarters were the bituminous coal fields
belonging to the Terminal Coal Company The
ground everywhere strewn with pieces Of coal,
lying on blanket of black dust. Running from the
drift mouths of the many mines a maze of
railroad tracks, some of which disappeared in the
distant hill sides. Around the vicinity were red
brick power houses, and blacksmith shops. low
fence partitoned off the stables where mules and
horses quartered.
In one of the company-owned houses known as
the "bullpen," familiar game of chance was going
1t began the evening before and lasted thru the
night Here number of men were grouped about
in semi-circle. One of them shaking pair
of dice in his cupped hand which he let roll to
the floor. Spontaneously, swapping his fingers and
granting Come you seven" Sleep laden eyes fol-
lowed the ivory dotted cubes which showed three"
and give" Flights my point" he gasped, sitting
lazy yawn The player laid bills on the floor.
'"There's six bucks OPEN" He looked about him.
"Come who's gonna fade me-" Another player
deposited the called for amount The dicer kept
tossing the dice until loud "there's the seyen'
stopped him. After which he gave them to another,
and proceeded to count his winnings.
The game continued "Hey, turn those lights
out damn you'se, wanna get sleep" sounded
from the corner of the room where of cots
lined the walls. Upon them fully dressed,
slept, having removed only their shoes. No
paid any attention. Elsewhere in the same room,
poker was being played A hand swept stacks Of
chips off the table. "You dirty whore you're cheat
in" Chairs edged closer. "Shut up, give me those
cards and pass drink" half empty bottle of
gin changed hands.
These were the famous coal and iron policemen,
used by mine owners to intimidate pckets in times
of strike. They known in the mining regions
as the coal baron's own private army. These guer-
ras imported from Chicago's underworld were
paid by the operators and deputzed by the state
which gave them free reign to terrorize the work
ers at their will.
call to turn out sounded, and all but those too
drunk to hear rose to their feet. They wore grey
Shirts and riding breeehes held in place by puttees
On their caps the initials c. /. Arms reached
for their rifles lying within reach. Outside they
posted themselves around the pit-head of mine No.
and waited.
The string of miners drew closer. Deputy sheriffs
opened the heavy gate thru which about fifty men
squeezed hurriedly by. Inside they separated,
stepping to the supply shed for their picks
and shovels. Swift glances were exchanged. they
entered the mine pits, dropping silently into dark
ness