The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-09-22
Mine MANAGERS REFUSE TO DEAL
WITH THE WESTERN FEDERATION

tilAu' WIS lOl kiAil a conference NAAAl
u statement that if we were not will
ing TO meet the officials of the West
ern Federation of Miners 1t would be
taken az proof that the situation could
act be, settled peaceably. We have
had no other grievances submitted - |
US in any way. either officially Jr
otherwise. This was not u grievance |
of our employees, but was agrieyance |
of the federation represented 10y their |
officials and organizers from other
states. who are entirely unjustitied in
making any claims TO right TO rep
resent the employees Of the mines Of
this district
Federation Bars Adjustment
Both of Your propositions as sub
mitted by YOU, involve arbitration Or
discussion by or with committees, Il
part of them to bc chosen by the mine
workers now ON strike
THE mine workers now ON strike
are those only who are members OF
the Western Federation of Miners. As
above stated, they constitute but a
small part of our employees. No meth
| cd of choosing or appointing arbitra-
tors Of committees by the mine work
ers now ON strike could he devised in
which such choice will not he the iii
rect choice of the Western Federation
| of Miners. as such. ana with that Fed
Grafton we will have no dealings II
any kind.
| 1T cannot be too definitely UNI
dcrstood with relation To the pres
cnt situation that the mining COM
panics cannot and will not in any
manner recognize or deal with the
| Western Federation of Miners.
! They do not represent our en-
ploycs hut, on the contrary, under
present conditions. they stand be-
tween the employ ers and the en-
ploycs as the only bar to Il sat
isfactory and amicablc adjustment
of all existing differences.
"Bccausc Of this situation and with
out any lack Of full appreciation OF
the efforts of yourself ana the d"p2r, l.
mcnt OF labor, We feel that II Is nee
cssary to say TO you that We canno'
accept any plan of mediation or arbi-
tration between the mine employers
and the mine workers on strike,
which is but another designation for
the Western Federation of Miners
Point Out Fusilty
But we suggest To YOU in view 81
the situation as above stated and as Il
exists i'm the counties of lloughton ant
KcWrcnaw at this date that If Noi
should use your personal Influence an'
the Influence of the department. o
labor To induce the officials, organic
crs and leaders of the Western FEEDER
alton OF Miners To come To fun real
f. ization Of the futility of any attcmp
, To- secure recognition in this diStric
or To retain a standing therein WhicI
would permit them to remain as n tac
, tor of influence among our cmploSe
=, or any portion thereof. and to with
, draw themselves and their influenc
from the present situation and iron
-, tho district, there would be nothin
! i'm the way of an early adjustment q
any differences or grievances, If the
exist. between the employers and thti
employees. In this way and in this wa
!, only can the present deplorable condi
ton be remedied or adjusted.
since the inception of the strike
. has been stated in published speeche
4, of the officials of the Western FEEDER
alton &c Miners that they demanded a
-. eight hour day, abolition of the one
), man drill and a minimum WACO OF
dollars per day for all employees.
grievances of that kind were stated {
submitted To the companies in an
form.
Discussion Of "GricVsrees
AS To the working hours. 1t ma
bo stated to you, as was stated
Judge Murphy who was here on
similar mission in behalf of the gov
cruor of Michigan, that Tor some tin
prior To- the inception of the strlN
there had been under consideration i
the several companies the institutio
of an eight hour day for undorsrouiI
employees SO far as that rule couI
bc maze practicable. The presei
strike situation does not alter the II
tcntion Of the companies in that II
card. II is known to the companl'
. that a large number of their undci
ground employees do not want the ciSl
hour day. and are opposed to 1t D'
s. we will state to you that If the cisl
a hour day for our underground en-
nj rloyes is desired by them or "a sutf
L Gent majority of them, II mas pee
or and will continue TO he given iaVo
~ able consideration.
re- "Thc one man drill question is
- purely and simply a manufactured
n, grievance. We know IT To bc a
er fact that those who operate THESE
10 drills do not want them abollsheu'
.ir The continuation of mining indus
H. try i'm this district requires the
X use and application Of every mod
he crn appliance for the reduction OF
cost. 1t is made necessary by the
low copper contents OF the ROCK
ia and the expense of deep minins
ss as compared with higher produc-
a. ton of other competing districts
I'D The onc-mau drill is an economic
,er necessity which has come to stay
n The conditions of its use nave
-es been prescribed by the Legislature
ar and the question of its abolition u
m one which could not he submitted