Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-01
COAL CONSPIRACY
.CHARGED|NS SENATE
Johnson Alleges Railroads
and Operators Are Behind
Suspension at Mines.

~ the Associated Press.
- Charges that q conspiracy between
railroad companies and coal operators
was behind the suspension Of 'tivities
In the bituminous coal fields were
made in the Senate today oy Senator
. Johnson Republican, California.
Asking early action on mis- resolution
for an Investigation of the unanimous
coal fields of Pennsylvania. Ohio and
, West Virginia. Senator johnson read a
= letter from Secretary Davis Of the La
Dor Department blaming the operators
for the failure Of Government negotia-
tions to end the suspension
I'VE in the department" the Secre-
tary wrote yesterday. diligently sought
some method by which this strike might
be settled. but the failure of the great
. bulk of the operators or of any of the
operators association officials to attend
made II impossible to make any real
progress toward the solution OF the pro-
gram separating the mine workers and
operators In these districts"
Pinchet A<sails Strike Policies.
Senator johnson also made public
letter from Clifford Pinchot. former
Governor of Pennsylvania, charging the
use of the police power of the Common
wealth OF Pennsylvania in behalf OF
private interests.
Involved is the charge" Senator
johnson said. that railroad companies
have exercised their great power to CO.
cree others into the reputation ano
violation OF contracts. in the making
OF which the United States Govern
n,ert itself had participated; that these
railroad companies have conspired to
destroy q labor union: that in some
instances they have refused cars 10
transport coal mined by union labor:
that they have hammered down the
price of coal while basing their rate
structure upon q much higher price:
that. in fact. the present horrible con-
ditious had their inception in con-
sp;racy between railroad companies
and coal operators.
1T is charged that cruelty unspeak-
able has been practiced, sparing neither
the aged. the sick. the weak. nor the
infirm, the mother or the babe.
81. Assans Pesiee Force.
Many gunner and other bad char
acters." Mr.. Pinchot wrote. have reap
peared in the strike regions bearing the
commissions Of the State and exercising
: its power as coal and iron police, ana
numerous assaults upon men, women
and children have been committed by
the peace and enforce the law"
Dclaring there ha6 been wholesale
eylctions" of miners families. the for
Yner governor attributed "a large per
centage Of them" to the Pittsburgh Coal
Co. which. he said, is controlled by the
MELONS"
Informed o. AG5davits.
II am informed" he said. that the
: United Mine workers Of America are
prepared TO supply proof. In the form
Of approximately 900 afndavits and by
: the testimony OF witnesses. OF the COM
mission OF numerous assaults upon
peaceahie striking coal miners, and OF
the injury Of men, women and children
from such assaults.
J Those parts Of central and western
Pennsylvania which depend on the soft
coal industry are In very serious con-
. Gton. The prosperity Of many OF them
! As ruined. and the suffering Of the min
Z ere is reflected in widespread hardshipe
throughout the whole communities"