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*” I Mrs. Norton, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In order that we may hear two sides of every questioniand in order
that you may not become biased in your views from anythig; that may have been
said l am taking the liberty of reading my own introduction, kindly furnished
by the Southern Worker], communist newspaper published at Chattanooga,Tenn,,
and gratuihtously distributed throughout the coal fields. \Take in Introd) _p ·
Before entering upon a discussion of the many problems that have
beset the coal fields of our state I want to take this opportunity.¤§iEk to _
express on behalf of the people of Southeastern Kentucky the thanks vs out I
people for the wonderful carload of food and clothing sent by your chapter "
QQLQQE of the Red Cross.It was¢x,fine expression of that sjmpathetic understanding _
QD that always has characterized the people of Louisville when neighboring com- U
\jT49Qp(7_ munitics have faced calamities that have seemed insurmountable. In flood _
relief and in every other emergency Louisville always has come to our assist- 4
- ande and as chairman of the Red Gross I want to express personally the thanks r
¤ of our section. We appreciate your help all the more because we have full know- j
ledge that Louisville is not without its own problems in the matter of caring __
A for the unfortunates. _ J
,` May we discuss tovether for a few minutes the economic bagrepqygd
Q i», that has thrown Southeastern Kentucky and her people into such bold relief. _ 3
€°““'“*A’ _Then, if you care to hear it, I will discuss briefly the chain or events that U
~9¤13§7MW#“£”lmve put the coal field,’on the front pages of American newspapers and kept it
i' there, albeit, not with our consent or appmval. It has not been our wish thus
€i?2}£%Q76]z to be dragged under the spotlight. In some matters it was all right but in l
——— others we stayed too long and the law or nature says that those who stay too l ’
long in the spotlight may get sunburned. shis has happened, sometimes, but I f_
hope to show that even where this has occurred we were held in th» glare by I
outside forces.
Let us get awav from the glare or r cent haopeninps and study the
\ underlying_causes of the present trouble. Then, perhaps, we shall tHE better be pl
  able to understand it.We do not hope to solve the trouble, at least, until we E-
have had a full report from the band of eastern students who came down on a soc-}; ‘L
iological research expedition, sg;-if _4i_
Let us pet away from the cries of constitutional rights, freedom oi' EE; l A`i. %;
the press, free sp och, free love, free transportation to state lines,m¤& toothéliechgg
picks and self-appointed investigators. g ;;;W
jr   1'f‘,,_ _. ef
Lggs_thagLjpd  president of the United Mine Workefgb is
ers of America, a legitimate, American organization that should not be confused I Tji.
4‘49'2Z with the radical National Miners Union, stated that the coal industry was over-;ppI%i°
‘ manned and that 250,000 miners would have to seek a livelihood in other industri-
J2QAfb‘7 es. At that time Mr.Lewis foussaw the inroads that natural gas, hydro—electric ,
gcyvwyc, power, crude oil and other coal substitutes were making on the industry and ir,
T-·"”'“ realized that immediate steps would have to be taken to remedy conditions. Since »
7; _ 1925, I am told, some 200,000 coal miners have left tHE industry. Of the half ·,y ~
U! ,Q~ZéZo~¤ million reneining not more than 250,000 will be needed to supply the present rk *
'need. improved mining practices, and the installation of machines to do the work
of numerous men, also have eliminated the need of manpower. ’ l_d_ t
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profits were held out to those who had a little capital and a good lease. Wages`“ "Q
p` ranged as high as $2o a day in some instances. Men flocked to the cool fields by it
gzifibzg the tnousands.Silk shirts replaced LHC cotton ones and many a peppermint spripedl ` I
silk shirt found its way to the far reaches of the mines where only blue denim h
had gone before. ‘
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