Evening star., 1939-05-22
Operators 10 Meet
Union for Harlan
Peace 7aIk Today
w. P. A. Makes First
Food Distribution
In Coal Fields

Food Distribution
In Coal Fields
BACKGROUND
National Guard troops 1Dere
sent to Harlan County, only large
area holding out against union
shop" contracts 1Uith the United
Mine Workers, by GoU. Chandler
OF Kentucky after operators de-
cided to reopen mines tOithout
an agreement. Some men hare
returned to ,Dork.
By the Associated Press.
HARLAN, KY, May 22.-Harian
County coal operators, largest soft
coal operating group holding out
against the United Mine Workers
&C. I. o., today are to sit down with
union members and Federal and
State conciliators to attempt a set
tlement of Harlan'S labor troubles.
John Conner, Federal conciliator,
said the conference was to open at
1890 am, c. S. T. He has predicted
an agreement during the week
The Works Progress Administra-
ton today made its first major dis
tribution Of food to meet the in
increasing relief demands in the
strife-torn area.
Approximately 1000 families were
eligible to receive today's distribu-
ton and an additional TOO were
expected to apply. Previously the
rolls listed 1900, making $500 on re-
lief now.
George Titler. secretary of the
Harlan q. M. w. district, said the
union Is distributing flour, coffee,
sugar and meat to about 5000
families.
The situation, which has brought
many shootings and dynamitings
without casualties, with some of the
1850 troops on duty here returning
fire on two occasions, was quiet dur
ing the Sababth, although a colored
man was killed by deputy sheriff
Civilian and military authorities said
the shooting had no connection with
mine troubles and was the result of
the man resisting arrest for a minor
offense.
A mass meeting scheduled for yes
terday was called off by the U. NJ
w. following issuance of military
order of restrictions by Brig. Gen.
Ellerbe Carter, commanding the
State troops District U. M. w.
President William Turnblager said
the meeting was Cancelled ito pre-
vent wholesale arrests"
Case Won't Be Dropped.
Prior to going into the conference
with labor union representatives, the
operators, many of whom are in
volved, had the word of Brien Nc
Mahon, a Special Assistant United
States Attorney General, that the
civil liberties case pending for al
most year after a mistrial at Lon
don, will not be dropped The case,
Mr.. McMahon said, finally will be
disposed of "by pleas or verdict"
Mr.. Mcmahon was the chief
Government prosecutor in the anti
labor conspiracy trial, which ran
for IL weeks. To date the Govern
meG1t's cost in the case has been
approximately 100000. Many ,oper-
ators. corporations and deputy
sheriffs were indicted and tried
under an old statute against
abridging civil liberties.
The special assistant attorney
general said he was in Harlan
now to observe and see 'if any,
body's civil liberties have been
abridged" He added that his mis-
sion covered every one, not specifi-
cally union miners.
Third Contract Signed.
One Of the conspiracy trial de-
PENDANTS. against which charges
were dropped later, the Clover
Spint Coal Co. Of Closplint, en-
ploying 300 men, signed a union
shop contract with the U. M. w.
last night, Mr.. Turnblazer said.
This development, he added, gives
the union contracts covering 400
Of the 13,900 miners in the Harlan
field. None of the three companies
which have signed Is member
Of the County Operators Associa-
ton.
The Black Star Coal Co. at Alva
called 800 men back to work today
and the United States Coal & Coke
Co. at Lynch 5000 men under newly
signed contracts. The Clover Splint
Co. scheduled its resumption of
operations for tomorrow.
The mine at Lynch, furnishing
coal exclusively to the United States
Steel Corp, alone did not have the
union shop clause in it's contract.
Gov. A. B. Chandler of Kentucky
said in a radio talk yesterday the
United Mine Workers had a right
to strike, but failure of the c. I. o.
leadership to order peaceful picket
ing has made it absolutely necessary
that troops be placed in Harlan
County"
Lee Pressman, C. I. O. general
counsel, criticized Gov. Chambers
action. 'The net results of Chan
dler's efforts in sending the National
Guard to Harlan County, instead of
attempting to arrive at a peaceful
conference" he said, have been that
out of 10000 miners in Harlan
County 1900 armed, tin-hat troops
have succeeded at the points of bay
onets in driving approximately 1,4O0
men back to work"