The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-10-29
ginning a great mistake was made In


the Idea that the struggle for better
working conditions. moro wages and
shorter hours would be the greatest
question Of the strike. over a wide
area the Western Federation Is blamed
for this manner of making their de-
mands. as they only looked for the
good of themselves. and left the de-
mands Of the strikers In the back
ground
II the real condition OF the strike at
the present time is studied. we certain
" must come to the conclusion that
there Is much truth to the statement
that the strikers VIII be defeated. Al
least the present conditions show thai
the strike in the copper country vii.
end in the same manner that the Leau
strike did, that is, by dying off slowly
by having the mining companies I'll.
the places with men brought in from
other districts, who, regardless OF the
present struggle that the miners art
carry Ing on, are willing to work In
their places. When once a week,
strike breakers are brought In by car
loads, It is evident that the places will
soon be filled. Then there is nothins
left for the strikers 10 do, but TO leave
the district and go in search Of en-
ployment elsewhere. This is a saa
truth AZ the present time. and it Is use
less 70 hide our real thoughts and say
that the mining companies cannot re-
sumo work by bringing employees il
from other districts. and prot ectinL
them by the aid OF the sheriffs ana
soldiers The mining companies can
easily employ men from other districts
with the statement that their en-
ployees have left the vicinity and have
gone TO other districts in quest OF
work. This is partly true when we con-
slider that a large per cent of the
strikers leave the district and let then
fellow strikers struggle on. and try to
win the demands which they have !
made to their employers.
We all understand. that when this |
happens, the mining companies have |
E God reasons to employ men from else |
where and that when a large number |
Of strikers have left the strike district. |
then their ranks are not full Another |
sad principle is that when disturb
ances arise. whether begun by the |
strikers or their opponents, the public
mind is aroused strongly and bitterly !
against the strikers, and the employ
ars have good excuse 10 send for mi
itia. This has happened in the cop
per country. With the issue of the in
iunction. disturbances have increased !
he public mind grows colder against
he strikers, the number of arrests
have increased ~ also the number OF
strike breakers, which Increased the
number of strikers that are going
Back TO work.
what viii ell these principles lead
Up TO- Defeat 20 the strikers in their
itruggle. And this defeat touches tho
Finnish people more particularly,
whose numbers are greater in this
district ami who arc more strongly
pound to the copper country, almost
al having property there. If | am not
the public mind is such that
he strike viii end in utter defeat of
he Federation, although tho mining
companies will grant the other DO
hands made by the strikers, as they
lavc led the Copper Country business
Committee 10 believe. Is this not trua,
Is w. T.. Chancellor. in the Meals
Monthly, says that tho efforts Of tho
strikers TO win is useless. as the min
ne companies arc getting hundreds OF
non to fill the places? The Western
'rdoration has nothing 10 hope for hut
'ttor defeat and shame. It's leaders re-
ewing their regular salaries. Not one
yorl,s without a salary, hut receives
ull compensation while the strikers
must set along with their sCant sums
hat they have boarded up, or with the
mail amounts that they receive from
he Union. l am a union supporter,
,ut II the union Is doomed TO defeat
hen ii Is best for the striker 10 60
Jack 10 work, When the employers will
iot recognize the Western Federation
# Miners then 1t is the duty Of the
'trikcrs 10 take what is granted them
ind TO go back to work. Every Union
eader should know that tho worker
las certain duties that h. owes TO his
amily and these duties arc greater
han those that he owes 20 the strike
Sighting Tor the w. T.. OF NJ. The utter
lctcat OF the strikers touches the
innlsh residents moro strongly, as the
strike leaders themselves are aware
They have the mos, property in thc
eopper Country, they own their own
'hurches, they have been the leaders
"a the Copper Country for years, havo
received good and honest name for
heir ability in their work II We lose
his we can never regain tho same
standing in The public eye of the world.
NJ. !. in his article says that the peo-
pie viii not die of hun or. Surely not,
AZ least thc Finnish people. But Il
certainly would be great sin 10
struggle on, while the companies we're
Iiliing the places with men from other
districts.
II then the companies viii recognize
the demands of the workers IL is each
ones duty to so back TO work and not
night on for the good of the w. L. Of NJ. !,
The leaders Of the w. T. of VI. should
themselves use more judgment than TO
fsaFN