WEST VIRGINIA STRIKING MINERS DEFY PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On the evening of August 31, 1921, the Federal Government stands ready "to act in West Virginia should tomorrow's reports show lack of compliance with President (Warren G.) Harding's proclamation calling on all persons engaged in unlawful...proceedings to return to their homes."
The New York Tribune reported the following day that the President is "ready to sign (an) edict for martial law in five counties if requested by (General Harry H.) Bandholtz*."
The War Department was prepared with "tear gas in copious quantities if the strikers fail to comply with the President's proclamation." Additionally, two regiments of a thousand each stand ready to move into West Virginia.
According to Jacobin Magazine, in August 1921 twenty thousand miners gathered in Charleston, West Virginia, many of them armed with hunting rifles, intending to march to Mingo County to free striking miners and their families.
*Harry Hill Bandholtz (1864-1925) was born in Constantine, Michigan & graduated West Point in 1890. HHB served in the Spanish-American & Philippine Wars. He was commanding general of the Military District of Washington before retirement.
SOURCES
"A Century Ago, West Virginia Miners Took Up Arms Against King Coal," Jacobin Magazine, www.jacobinmag.com/
""Miners Defy Harding, Mass to Attack Town, Crisis at Noon To-day," The New York Tribune, September 1, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
