
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993                   TAG: 9309300269
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

COAL CEO SAYS UMW TRIED TO KIDNAP SON

The head of the nation's largest coal company accused the United Mine Workers of trying to kidnap his 2-year-old son, but authorities said Wednesday they have no report of it.

Irl Engelhardt, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Peabody Holding Co. of St. Louis, made the accusation in a Sept. 3 letter to several dozen ministers who called on the Bituminous Coal Operators Association to negotiate with the UMW.

The union has been on strike since May against selected coal association members, including Peabody subsidiary Peabody Coal Co.

Along with his letter, Engelhardt included a copy of a 12-minute videotape he alleged showed strike violence.

"Attached is a videotape showing a tiny portion of the violence and illegal activities," Engelhardt wrote. "It does not include many other problems, such as the burning of railroad trestles, destruction of power lines or [the] attempted kidnapping of my 2-year-old son."

UMW spokesman Jim Grossfeld denied the allegations and said union members have engaged only in "peaceful, lawful picketing." - Associated Press

by CNB