Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-14
BY JOHN c, HENRY,

III JoI1N y. f1E1s IL
~ Philip Murray, vice president of the
United Mine Workers of America, to-
DAY called on the Federal Government
TO protect U. NJ w. A. organizers
ordered this week into the rich soft
coal fields of Harlan County, Ky.
r. Murray's request was made ORA
natlcally before the La Toilette Civil
Liberties Committee as ne described
the terroristic rule of Harlan County
by mine owners, whom he charged
with continued violation of Federal
and State statutes in their strong-arm
reign.
Harlan County, one of the worlds
richest bituminous coal fields, has
been flooded with organizers of the
U. M. w. A. since last Mondays SUI
preme Court decisions upholding the
national labor relations act, Murray
said.
o" We're going to expect and demand
that the Government of the United
States protect our people while they
are in that country" Murray declared.
We're here to demand that this
letting Of blood, this brutality and
killing be stopped. 1t can't go on.
o., THE operators of that country
maintain 8 tyranny over men not
found in any country of the civilized
world. They tax every ton of coal
to buy guns and gas and support men
who float around the country killing
people.
"our union intends to expend It's
energy and its money to see that
the rights Of these miners are pro-
tected.''
Chaos Threat Made.
Previously. Murray warned the
committee that continued resistance
of operators Of that county to enter
into contracts would result in chaos in
the bituuinous coal producing in
dustry of the Nation.
NJ A. Musick, U. M w. A. organ
izer and former Baptist preacher, fol-
lowed Murray to the stand. Vieilantes
killed Musick's l9-year-old son and
seriously wounded his wife during ma
chine gun and rife bombardment Of
his home more than a year ago
Musick said the miners average
about SIS per month with Is per cent
deducted automatically for such things
as medical fees, rent, burial fund, etc.
Virtually all payment is by scrip he
said, with workers forced to deal in
company stores, where prices are 20
Per cent higher than in other shops.
Shooting Is Described.
Lawrence Dwyer, 72-year-old U. NJ.
". A. organizer, told the committee
of the ambush shooting of two union
men riding in an automobile with him
after meeting in 1888. One of the
gunner, he said, was Ben Unthank,
A deputy sheriff, whom he identified
positively"
Dryer told of addressing union
meeting in 1884 while a brother of
the present sheriff, Theodore Middle
ton, stood beside him with q drawn
revolver as protection. As the meet
ing opened, Dryer said, volley of
rifle fire from a wooded hill dis
persed 1t, but the union members
later reassembled.
Dwyer told of two cases of dyns-
hitting his home, as a result of which
five men were indicted and one con-
victed. Among those indicted was
Unthank, whom Dwyer identified as
,"cllief Of the road killers"
Blast Four Feet From Head.
Dwyer said one of the dynanitings
occurred while he was in bed, the
explosion being about four feet from
his head.
1t threw me against the wall, bed
and ALL he said, but I just got
some scratches around the face"
Did conditions improve after Mid
dleton took office Gn 1892" La Fol-
lette asked
NO" Dryer answered. eThev got
worse. He's the worst article we ever
had"
Despite pledges before his election,
Middleton appointed Unthank and
several other killers as deputies, Dwyer
said.
Checks Not Produced.
George Ward, secretary of the Har-
Ian County Coal Operators Associa-
ton, was called to the stand first to
testify that he had not produced Ger
tain subpoenaed checks. Declaring
they no longer were in his possession,
he had no further explanation.
Miss Frances c. Jones, a clerk in the
office Of the County Circuit Court.
next appeared to produce all criminal
records of the court since January l,
1880.
= Sheriff Middleton took the stand
briefly to say he had been unable to
locate discarded shells of exploded tear
gas bombs.
Committee investigator Ben Allen
Followed to identify numerous charts
showing extent of bituminous coal
mining in the country, membership in
The U. M. w. and various other facts.
g Murray member of the U. M. w.
Tor So years and its first vice president
FOR II, outlined the detectives of the
union as increased wages, shorter
hours, improved working conditions,
sbolishment of use of scrip and of
forced dealing IN company stores,