The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-05
BY LEE HILLS
United Press STAFF Correspondent

tHftcu EIeSh SIAN Correspondent
MALESTER, Okla, Nov. 5.-Dis-
content seethes along a 100-mile
front In the eastern Oklahoma BIZ
luminous coal fields. an area larger
than the state of Rhode Island.
Sinister rumblings of open war
fare between rival factions, union
and nonunion miners and oper-
ators, grow louder daily.
Hatred is fomented.
Dynamite bombs have wrecked
the home Of nonunion miners, in
1uring women. Shotguns have
blazed from ambush. Night riders
and innumerable brawls have been
reported.
The cause, United Press CORE
spondent determined after a weeks
survey OF the area, is desperate last
stand Of labor and capital over I'M
profitable bituminous mining in the
southwest.
The miner wants a living wage
and fair working conditions.
The operator wants a profit.
Admit Outlook Is Dark
Both look out dejectedly over di-
lapidated tipples, implanted shacks
and desolate waste, and frankly ad-
init the outlook is dark.
The immediate crisis is a pro-
tracted coal strike, disrupting the
tenor Of the tagging industry.
Today, most operations were at
a standstill, and some 10000 miners
were idle, whether they were on
a strike or not.
Leaders Of the United Mine
Workers Of America reasoned that
conditions would improve if
united labor front was presented.
So they banded together in re-
bellion against the apparently in
evitable ills Of the demoralized in
dustry-to fight for better wages
and working standards in the face
of economic depression, ruinous
competition and disorganization.
Impasse Has Come
Working quietly and intently,
union leaders started Aug. 3 and
won over to their side one after
another of the smaller operators.
The impasse has come. Owners
of five large mines-the largest in
Pittsburgh county where the strike
is centered-still remain open
shop.
ssXEyo doyo,t jota,od n rri,,o ~ o,oJ
we'll sit here until the grass grows
out Of the smokestacks before we
will one operator declared.
So the strike has resolved into
relentless fight to reorganize the
shattered ranks of the union and
an equally stubborn resistance.
Both sides. discouraged by the
deadlock, are ready to take their
troubles to the court of public
opinion.
The law has stepped in State
operatives and special deputies pa
troll the area, revolvers strapped to
their belts and tear gas grenades in
their cars.
Governor w. H. Murray went to
dAANJ WIG anu dIlQ
down an ultimatum against violence
to thousands of sullen miners. The
Governors own oeratives say the
only solution is martial law.
Scores Are Arrested
Operators want tropoS, believing
they would break the strike. Strik-
ers resent even presence of state
operatives, whom they call gunner.
Scores of strikers have been ar
rested and arraigned before local
officials who have found themselves
in quandry.
JailS overlooked with some of the
more than 200 arrested men during
the period.
The state opened the gates of the
state penitentiary here to house
overnight LOT picketerS, who had
been accused of violating an in
junction against madded picketing
obtained by five shops operating on
an open basis.
On the surface all is quiet except
for sudden outbreaks, but Chief
Charles A. Burns of the state Grim
lnal bureau. in charge of state
operatives. described the situation
as like sitting on a keg of gun
powder"