Hell in Harlan - front page

"If you have not joined this great organization, get in touch with MattBunch and his bunch of organizers who will explain the principles and benefits ofthe world's largest and greatest labor organization."America.""The only bona fide collective bargaining agency for the coal miners of"Get on the band wagon of the union that has brought 7 hour day, 35 hourweek, time and a-half for overtime and 200 percent increase in wages to 97 percentof the coal miners in America in the last 4 years."WILLIAM TURNBLAZER, President of District No. 19GEORGE J. TITLER, International Representative in charge ofOrganization in Harlan County.Too much credit could not be given to these four preacher-organizers,Marshall Musick, a Missionary Baptist; Matt Hollars from the Church of God;William Clontz, a Methodist, and Matt Bunch, a Presbyterian. Each one preached adifferent religious doctrine but all preached the same union doctrine.These men had a way of blending the emoluments of collective bargainingwith the spiritual benefits of being a Christian. The Missionary Baptistteachings of Marshall Musick and the Church of God's version of Matt Hollarsappealed to me most strongly. They preached short sermons.Bill Clontz was too long-winded. William Turnblazer said of Clontz:"Never expect to hear all of Clontz' sermon if you are going to catch a train."A. T. Pace was making the arrangements for a convention banquet inMiddlesboro in 1936. He reported to Turnblazer that he had a problem — if heasked Clontz to speak, he would talk too long, and if he didn't, Clontz would beoffended. Turnblazer suggested that they call on Clontz to ask the blessing. Clontzprayed so long that the food got cold. Yet it was strange how some of our membersthrived on long speeches. After Clontz talked for two hours, they would holler formore. Clontz missed his calling — he should have been a United States Senator. Hewas a natural for a filibuster.147