The Washington herald., 1913-12-31
May PUT PROBE
UP TO CONGRESS
Senator MARITIME Insists on In
quiry IN Calumet Mining
Region.
CHANCE FOR OFFICIALS
VIII Be Given Until January IL, When
Resolution Asking for Invesiga-
lion viii Be Introduced.

Senator James MARITIME, of New Jer-
sey. yesterday announced that unless
the Attorney General or the Depart
ment of Labor begins an inquiry into
conditions in the Calumet mining re-
gion, due to the strike and labor
troubles, before January IL, when Con-
gress is to reconvene, he will introduce
a resolution calling for a special in
vestigation by a committee of Congress
such as was directed into the troubles
in the mines of West Virginia.
Senator MARITIME had a conference
yesterday with Attorney General Nc
Reynolds. He admitted when he came
away that he had not received any as
surances from the Attorney General
that Federal inquiry would be or
dered by the Department of Justice.
Il intend to wait a reasonable time
for the Department of Justice to act;
then 1 intend TO take the matter up
with the Secretary of Labor" said SEN
ator MARITIME. 81 believe the investiga-
tion will do good. Publicity always
results in bringing the mine owners
on the one hand and the miners on the
other to a realization Of their duties
to society.
Former Inquiry Proves Good.
The Senate investigation into con-
ditions in the Paint Creek and Cabin
Creek regions of West Virginia did
good, so 1 am informed by the mine
owners and the mine workers. 1t
brought about peace. Senator Kern
was the author of the resolution thar
led to that investigation. / have talked
with Senator Kern, and know that he
feels pretty much as I do about the
Calumet troubles.
Some Senators have argued that 1t
was a purely local matter and ought TO
be left to the State of Michigan. But
the deportation of Charles II. Meyer is
a matter OF interstate consequence. II,
as reported, Moyer was told that he
should not again return to the State, this
Is an interference with interstate COM
merce, a restraint Of interstate commerce
that brings the case within Federal juris-
diction. II any number of men in a
State may say to one man that he shall
not travel in interstate commerce over
interstate lines running through the State,
they may say the same TO any number
of men.
1t will be interesting TO see II the
authorities are prepared TO apply the
sherman law TO employers as readily as
they were to apply it TO employees, and
whether there will be as vigilant and
relentless prosecution of those who are
restraining trade and interfering with in
teTState commerce.
Labor Leaders Go to Calumet.
Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor yesterday
three OF his lieutenants to
Calumet to investigate the alleged beat
ing up and shooting OF Meyer.
The men are Vice President Mitchell, |
OF the federation, from Mount vernon, /
n. y; Grant Hamilton, organizer Tor the /
federation, from this city, and James |
Roach, another organizer, who was in
y. Y.
The trio will investigate the trouble in
which Meyer was involved, will make a
close study in the strike situation, and |
OH their finding President Gompers Will
determine what action should be taken
by him. The Investigators were sent at
the request of the Michigan State Fed
Grafton of Labor, the Chicago Federation,
and the Western Federation OF Miners.