STRIKE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1922, Page 5

STRIKE WAR.

FIGHTING IN AMERICA, trouble with miners. RAILWAY strike spreads BJr TbTegrapD.-—Press Aron.—Copyright. New York, July 17. At Wellsburg, West Virginia, it is reported that 13 were killed and 25 injured as the result of a clash between the authorities and striking miners in the Richland Coal Company's mines. The battle followed an attempt by the sheriff’s party to halt a party of miners accused of burning loyal workers’ homes. According to a Chicago message it is estimated that 75,000 railway workers have joined the 400.000 striking shopmen, including 25.000 way maintenance men, who quitted work without authorisation. Fourteen thousand oil-* era and stationary firemen struck today. Peace negotiations are at a standstill, as the companies are waiting to see how many men return to work within the limit prescribed, retaining seniority and other rights.

KILLED TOTAL SEVEN. GOOD NUMBER WOUNDED. TROOPS MAINTAIN ORDER. Received July 18, 10.40 p.m. New York, July 17. A late count at Wellsburg shows that only seven men were killed, including the sheriff, and two dozen were wounded. Eleven strikers were captured. The mine guards were compelled to dynamite the mine tiphead to save it from the fire which the strikers had set going. The exact number wounded will probably never be known, the strikers having removed their injured. The attacking party consisted of more than 300 men. The State troops are arriving on the scene this evening to maintain order. The strikers continued long-distance sniping from the hills during the afternoon. FURTHER DETAILS. FOREIGNERS BLAMED FOR ATTACK. PRESIDENT TO TAKE ACTION. Received July 18, 11.30 p.m. New York, July 18. At Wellsburg, it appears most of the attackers were composed of striking miners from Pennsylvania, just across the State line. The Pennsylvanian mines in the district had been closed since April. When the Wellsburg sheriff was killed, his son, who was participating in the fighting, took his place. He declares he has the names of 27 leaders responsible for the attack. All the dead have not yet been identified. Governor Morgan, of West Virginia, declares the mob which attacked Wellsburg was composed mostly of foreigners, numbering between 300 and 400. Threats of such an invasion had been received. Mr. Lewis president of the united mine-work-ers of America, commenting on the Wellsburg affray, expressed regret and declared the situation deplorable. From various points near Wellsburg come reports of stragglers applying for treatment at physicians’ offices for wounds received in the Wellsburg fighting. The owners of the mine declare they never employed a large number of private guards, as they always believed the sheriff’s posse protection adequate. The West. Virginian prosecuting attorney began an immediate investigation, and he has promised the strenuous prosecution of the responsible

parties. He has summoned eye-witnesses. Chicago reports that Debs ’ has called upon the railway workers to unite to strike together, vote together and fight together. He said: "There has been some slight disorder and a few scabs hurt. This has been the extent of the violence, and it has been sufficient to bring to the strikers that for which they fought the world war, and now that the war is over and Kaiserism dead, and democracy and liberty on top, the same crowd to whom you rallied in a frenzy of enthusiasm is lined up against you in battle array, ready to shoot you down like dogs. Yours is indeed a pathetic plight, if in the light of this situation you do not realise the need of solidarity on every front, regardless of creed.” The American Federation of Labor has issued a proclamation declaring that the railroad strikers are in no sense engaged in a conflict against the Government. The strikers are ready to begin negotiations with the railway managements for the re sumption of work, disregarding the railroad and labor boards’ decisions. The mine-operators have replied accepting President Harding’s proposal for arbitration. 'Fhe President suggested they should return to their districts and resume mining coal, and he intimated that protection would be supplied immediately. The operators view with some alarm the opening of the mines., especially in the unionised territory. The miners’ representatives declare the Presi dent will find it impossible to increase coal I production, and say that the plan will em- | bitter the workers and get nowhere. Mr. Dougherty states the President will I take definite action regarding the railway | strike within 24 hours.