The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-04-15
STRIKERS MURDERED
NEAR H|bb|NG MINE
Organized Labor Asks County
Attorney For Immediate
Investigation. >.
Refuses to Believe Apparent
Polished Newspaper Re-
ports About Affair.

The newspaper reports that three
men had been killed in cold blood at a
strike riot in Hibbing Tuesday by
others than sworn officers Of the law
is not read with satisfaction by the
working people Of Duluth. While the
striking miners do not belong to any
union, and while organized labor does
not countenance the violations OF law,
yet there may be another side to the
story not given in the papers. Or
ganized labor Of Duluth does not usual
ly take snap judgment on any matter,
and for this reason it is slow to believe
that the shooting by the paid employees
Of the mining or stripping company
was justinable.
There has been altogether too much
indiscriminate shooting on the iron
range during the past year, and the
odd part Of it is that it Is only strik-
ers who are being killed. II these men
are bad men, and If it is true that they
were heavily armed with rifles how is
it that only strikers were killed and in
jured?
An Investigation Demanded.
It strikes the Labor World that a.
thorough investigation Of the facts
ought to be made by the county at
torney. If there was really riot, and
life and property was in jeapordy the
proper officials ought to know it, and
the result of their investigation ought
to be made public. This thing Of
sending down shaded newspaper re-
ports OF such a serious matter Is not the
proper thing, and the members Of or
ganized labor, who sympa tie with all
labor in a struggle for more equitable
conditions, will not be satisfied until
a true and unbiased report is made Of
the occurance.
John McClintock, our efficient coun-
ty attorney, has a keen sense OF duty,
and we look to him for thorough in
vestigation Of the matter. We want to
know who has the right to carry arms
and Unfortunately kill people in
this county. If this power Is accorded
the heavy property interests on the
Mesaba Range the people Of Duluth
want to know it. If there was a riot
there was violation of the law. One
side or the other must be given a trial.
and immediate action is demanded Of
our county officials. It is time that
the courts should have something to
say about riots and murders during
strike on the range and 1t Is hoped
that the machinery Of the law will be
set in motion without delay, and with
out fear Of political consequences.
Oaanized Labor's Position.
Organized labor's position may as
we'll be made plain now as at any other
time. It makes no plea for favoritism.
If the strikers took the law into their
own hands it wants them tried before
the proper court, and If the men who
killed the strikers exceeded their
authority 1t asks that Justice be done.
Labor asks for an inquiry and the
prosecution of the Wolators Of law. 1t
makes little difference to us who are
guilty SO long as the law is held
supreme in EVERY respect. Union la
Dor is not responsible for the present
strike, but it wants to go on record as
being in favor Of the observance OF law.
Critics of labor will not be permitted
to say of this case that labor is in
favor Of violence, whether 1t is COM
n1itted by strikers or the hirelings Of
capital.
Mr.. County Attorney, turn on
the search light and let us have an
airing Let us know which Of the two
were at fault, and who is really re-
sponsible for Tuesdays murder.
Later:-At meeting Of strikers held
in Hibbing yesterday a resolution was
passed calling upon the county offici-
ais to investigate into the murder. The
men disclaimed any responsibility
whatever in the dastardly occurance.