Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-29
LABOR BUREAU
TO invest 1|GATE
STRIKE At MILLS
Secretary Nagel and Com
missioner Neill Decide to
Send Federal Representa-
tive to Lawrence Today.

washington, IL. u, FeD. lo.-l ne
federal bureau Of labor will make an
immediate investigation of the wage
and working conditions at the textile
mills at Lawrence, Mass. A repre-
sentative OF the bureau will leave
Washington today for the strike-rid-
den city.
The decision to investigate the
strike was reached at a conference to-
day between Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor Nagel and DR.. Chas. T.
Neill United States commissioner OF
labor. The bureau Of labor has con-
siderable data about conditions at
Lawrence as result OF recent In
quiries. The continuance Of the strike
and the turbulent situation resulting,
however. made it desirable, In the
judgment OF the federal authorities, to
ascertain the exact conditions today
and all the causes Of the labor trou-
BILE. There has been agitation in con-
gress during the last few days to have
the bureau Of labor investigate the
Lawrence situation.
Representative Wilson, chairman OF
the committee on labor, received
scores of letters and kilograms today
relating to the proposed congressional
Investigation OF the strike to be con-
sidered by the rules committee next
Saturday. William N. Haywood, leader
of the Industrial workers Of the world,
sent a telegram attacking Pres. Gold
en- of the textile workers, charging
that Golden aided the police and was
an enemy Of the strikers. In letter
Golden made counter charges against
Haywood, declaring that he and others
made inflammatory speeches which
precipitated riots.
Two Investigations Underway.
, Lawrence, Mass, Feb. 2S.-The first
OF at least two Investigations by fed
eral officials into certain phases OF the
situation surrounding the long-stand-
ing strike OF mill workers in this city
was begun today.
Special Agent William c. Damien
berg Of the department OF justice, act
ing under United States District Attor-
ney Asa P. French, presided over an
inquiry into the expectation Of chill
dren. He came to Lawrence to ascer-
tain in particular whether the police
oficers in preventing the departure OF
100 children for Philadelphia last Sat
urday acted in violation OF the inter-
state commerce law. Alleged i'll
treatment Of children and women by
the police did not enter into this In
quiry.
The wages and working conditions
in the mills of the city are to be the
subject of another investigation, and
officials from Washington will arrive
here tomorrow morning to pursue the
inquiry.
The situation will be brought before
congress on Saturday when a commit
tee of striking women and children,
including thirty-six of the latter will
appear before the house of representa-
tives to submit to questions. they
may not leave Lawrence before Fri.
day. Several of these children have
been selected because of Injuries re-
ceived while at work in the mills for
which the mill owners are alleged to
have made no compensation. s
Congressman Butler Ames in whose
district Lawrence is situated conclud-
ed two-days personal investigation
of the strike today and will leave for
Washington tonight. After attending
a lively session Of the strike commit
tee Congressman Ames said he believ-
ed himself now well acquainted with
all sides in the controversy and ex-
pressed the opinion that the strikers
are deserving of much sympathy.
Delay In Exporeing Children.
In the expectation that party of
children would be sent to Washington
today large crowd gathered about
the railway station, but as prepara-
tions had not been completed the de-
parture Of the delegation has been de-
ferred for the day. Representative
Berger of Wisconsin. at whose sug-
gestion they are to appear before con-
gress on Saturday, telegraphed to Will
liam D. Haywood that only children
who worked In the mills are wanted;
SO an entirely new party had to Ae en-
rolled.
The children who were originally
enlisted for the Washington trip may
be sent to Philadelphia, it Is said.
The incidents surrounding the pre-
vention Of the departure of a body OF
children from Philadelphia and their
detention by the police last Saturday,
occupied, with other phases OF the
strike, the attention today Of Butler
Ames, member of congress for this
district. Mr.. Ames attended meeting
Of the strikers committee to acquaint
himself with the operatives side OF
the struggle. He expects to return to
Washington tomorrow.
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Use Snow to Fight Fire.
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