Evening star., 1928-03-20
Committee Also Decides to
Issue Subpoenas for SchWab
and R. B. Mellon.
WATSON SAYS INTENTION
IS ONLY "CONSTRUCTlVE"
Declares Object Is TO Get Sug-
gestions on Remedy for
Conditions.
By the Associated Press.

Chairman Watson. lis entirely con-
structive. We want to get the views OF
these men. the big fellows. In order to
find out Just what they think should
be done to remedy this sad situation
Some committee members believe that
these leaders have not realized what is
going on. and We want to see II they
think it would be possible for them
to agree to take steps for the purpose
Of adjusting the troubles in the coal
fields. This would obviate the neces-
sity OF Government intervention, a
course which we agree should be de-
ferred in case the operators them
selves can organize to improve condi-
tions."
Others to Be Summoned.
Chairman Watson added that he ex-
poets to request the appearance of
Rockefeller. Schwab and Mellon later
this week, II such is possible. He added
that J. D. Lyons, A. K. Oliver and w.
D. Reiss. who served on the board of
the Pittsburgh Coal Co with Mellon,
also will be requested 30 appear at the
same time.
Gov. Fisher of Pennsylvania has sig
nified his willingness TO testify, said
Watson. and has assured the Senate
committee that he would cooperate in
any way possible TO help the investiga-
ton. The Indiana Senator intends to
write TO Gov. Fisher requesting him to
state time when he can testify con-
veniently"
The move to call Rockefeller. Schwab
and Mellon was started yesterday by
Senator Wheeler, Democrat. Montana. a
member of the coal committee.
1t was explained by Wheeler yester-
day that he wanted TO question Rookie
feller because of his connection with
the Consolidation Coal Co. of west Vir-
ginia. He said also that Schwab would
appear as chairman of the board for
the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. which
mines coal in Pennsylvania. and that
Mellon, a brother OF the Treasury Sec
retary. would be questioned AZ q men,
Der Of the board of the Pittsburgh
Coal Co.
Lumber Ordered for Barracks.
Lumber has been ordered for con-
struction OF barracks TO house union
miners due TO be evicted from property
OF the Clarkson Coal Co and the
Y. & Q. Coal Co. in Ohio on April /,
Lee Hall, president of District of the
United Mine Workers, said here today.
The eviction, he added, was In ac-
cordance with the injunction issued by
Judge Hough at Columbus on December
4. and l3i families were affected
Hall said the national union had been
supplying between $4,000 and $90,0 900
monthly since November. 1927. for the
relief of striking union miners III the
Ohio section.
Miners families in the Pittsburgh
district are living under animal condi-
tions," the committee was told by Fan
ME Hurst. authoreSS. who declared that
conditions IN that area were worse
than / found in Russia.
THE human degradation there Is be-
yond the telling" she said. and her
views we're seconded by Senator Good
ing
Authoress Testifies.
Senator Wagner. Democrat. New
York, likewise agreed with the story OF
malignant conditions" in Pennsylvania
adding that he was struck by the indif-
ference OF the State government toward
the situation.
Miss Hurst described large families
Of striking miners as living In sham
bles" and said that such conditions SOW
seeds OF anarchy" She advocated gov
ernment Intervention.
Herbert McCory a photographer who
visited the Pittsburgh coal area for the
New York Daily News said he saw ne
gro strikebreakers shooting into homes
OF strikers and into the Schoolhouse at
Broughton. Pa.
"The school was In session at the
time" he added. and the teacher later
told me that she had the children lying
on the floor 10 keep them from get
ting hit"
The photographer said that about
q or 10 Coal and Iron police, under
command OF 6ergt. Little. were In the
vicinity at the time. but did nothing To
halt the barrage."
He also asserted he obtained con-
fession from Hampton Matthews. n
negro strikebreaker. that he had been
paid $25 by Coal and Iron policeman
for shooting into miners homes ht
Bruceton.
Miners Counsel Statement.
Rives X. Eaton, the miners counsel,
UDuhy JtpilVu VI hIlC ~
Canadian National Railways to his
charge that Its subsidiary. the Ran ana
River Coal Co. had been guilty OF op"
preston toward the miners.
"As a matter OF fact" Eaton said
Nv. II. Woodford, president OF the com
pany, testified yesterday. under oath
that he was Il member OF a committee
OF Ohio operators which on March 10
1929. demanded wage reduction fof
the mines Of eastern Ohio, which In
cluded the Canadian National Railways
property He further testified that
these mines had been closed down for
two years, throwing 500 men out oI
work rather than pay the union wage
scale in Ohio"
After Senator uooding had called al"
tentiOn yesterday t0 All attack by Gov
Fisher OF Pennsylvania on the Senate
subcommittee which toured the Penn
sylvania con fields, Chairman Watson
Of the Senate interstate commerce com
| mittee said the governor would be IN
vited 10 appear At his convenience"
Senator G0odlng declared the hnb'
committee, Of which he was chairman
went into Pennsylvania with an open
mind and that the subcommittee re-
| port was "aimple account Of eondi'
| lions Ms We found them" The Senator
said the stand attributed Ia the Penn
syivania governor WAS IAN insult IN the
| Senate subcommittee In this committee
and 10 the United StateA Senate