The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-02-18
TRANSFORMATION: A
MINE STRIKE PICTURE

commanded the miners to get into
their houses. One striker protested
that the invaders were on union prop
erty. The butt end of revolver sent
him reeling to the ground. Sergeant
Flint, in charge of the gunner, arrest
ed the driver and confiscated the
truck. The miners stood in zero
weather discussing the incident which
was one of the many unlawful" acts
perpetrated by the "yellow dogs"
4. The Coal and Iron Police.
Thirty years ago the state of Penn
sylvania passed law, allowing the
coal companies of that state to en-
ploy their own police. Since then the
power of these thugs increased. Bru-
tai, clad in grey uniforms. feet en-
cased in leather puttees, these gun
men walk with guns displayed in their
holsters, and heavy ivory sticks swing
ing in their grasp.
The "yellow dogs" as the C. & 1.
poSce are called, parade with deputy
sheriff badges on their chests, and
are at will to arrest, beat and kill
anyone they like. That is their pur-
pose of existence.
The United Mine Workers OF Amer
lea presented 119 sworn affidavits
charging the coal and iron police with
unlawful acts" to Governor Fisher.
The following case is typical of
hundreds.
On January 10th Sergeant Neville
Miller of the coal and iron police, just
released from the Allegheny County
Jail, where he served days on an
assault charge, together with other
yellow dogs" invaded the town of
Coverdale. Leery-eyed, and thirsting
for revenge they began shooting up
the camp, and arresting people indis-
criminately. Men and women ran for
cover.
Stanley Keichel, a two-year-old
child, was hit by bullet.
Andy Hanback,, an aged shoemaker,
came out to repair his shack which
burnt down the day before. One of
the gunner began to beat him over
the head with his riot stick. Five
days later the cobbler was still moan
ing deliriously from the beating.
S. The Mine.
A short ways from camp lies the
mine, where the coal diggers Of Har-
marville work. From distance the
tipple towers like black skeleton.
A deputy shack full of state troop
ers guard the entrance to the mine
The adjacent property is fenced off
by coils of barbed wire, heavily charg-
ed with electricity. Around the pit
head stand several one-story build
ings. One of them is the "bullpen"
where the coal and iron police are
housed. Another is the tool and sup
ply she'd A pile of Stag, every burning,
shoots up occasional flames. Numer-
Gus tracks run into the hills which
virtually wall in the mine. Under
ground the pumpmen keep the drifts
from flooding The mines must not
be flooded. Coal is the cornerstone
of civilization. Yet the men who face
death digging it, freeze. A worthy
thought!
With break of dawn the scabs steal
out of their homes and shuttle de-
jectedly to work. Carloads of "yel-
low dogs" protect them. Sullen, eyes
glued to the ground, they walk the
short distance. These scabs are vir-
tual prisoners of the coal barons.
They are not paid in cash, but re-
ceive company money--round discs
on which are stamped various denom-
nations, and exchanged only in COM
pany stores.
Escape is oftimes desirable, but
dangerous, as practically all of them
are in debt to the coal companies.
One miner tried it and was almost
dubbed to death by "yellow dogs"
who caught him on the railroad sta
ton, waiting for an outgoing train.
6. The 'Red Necks."
The strikers are called "red necks"
around here. Each morning these
"red necks" gather for picket duty.
The injunction prohibits more than
two men to gather on the highway
together. But these miners after
striking 80 months have learned to
cry ITO hell with injunctions." Many
of them are daily arrested and beaten,
yet they carry on. In groups they
walk up and down the road. Off the
highway are picket shanties, where
a stove burns, and where they step
n for few minutes to warm up.
After months Of suffering, and
knowing that more suffering is to
come, these Golfers are still as full
of fight as ever. Their bitterest COM
plant is not hunger, but the treach-
cry Of the Lewis machine. I spoke
to many "red necks." Each had
story to tell, of arrests and clashes
with tr0OpprS Ono Nauro ,,,;par cold