The following “poem” appeared in the Logan Banner of Logan, West Virginia, on March 5, 1926.

The other day

We read in the paper

That the big strike

Of union miners

Just over the hill

Had been called off

For this reason:

Funds were short

And no more aid could be given.

The men and their families

Who had weathered the storms

Of the past two years

In their tent and rags

On the small amounts

Allowed by the union.

And from time to time

They would get notice

From headquarters

That the meager amounts

Were to be cut down

Until at last the order came

That all aid would be stopped

And they could go back to work

With nothing gained

After two years of suffering.

But at the same time

We could see

A set of officers

In big fine offices

Drawing big salaries

Enjoying life in good homes

And never a time

Did we hear one say

“We will go live in the tents

And draw our rations as they do

And we will stick to the end?”

Nor did we hear them say

“We will cut our salaries

To provide more aid

For them who are out in the cold.”

But we do know this:

They draw big money

And live in the fine homes.

Their families are well fed

And they all enjoy life

And at the same time

They will tell you and me

To stick tight and rough it out

For in the end we are sure to win.

And in the end

If we win they win.

If we lose they win.

Do you see the point?

Just another reason why

We wouldn’t be a member

Of the U.M.W.A.

If we were a miner.