The Calumet news., 1913-12-15

The grand jury Investigation of acts
of lawlossness aud violence that have
characterized the strike since its in
ccption, July %, formally began today
in The circuit court. That the probe
will be thorough was indicated by the
charge of Judge O'Brien
originally twenty-three names were
urawn for the grand jury but this
number was reduced To twenty this
morning. William Brimacombe of Ad-
ans county, has gone to England and
1t was impossible to get service on him.
Thomas Barry of Duncan township
was excused for cause as he admitted
he was prejudiccd against the West
crn Federation Of Miners. William
iIoappa of Chassel was excused for
illness. The places of these three men
will not be filled.
Before charging the jury each of the
members was asked whether or not he
entertained any prejudice for or
against the federation or the Citizens
Alliance and if they had signed the
Citizens Alliance petition whether
that fact committed them to the COM
mission Of unlawful acts. To each
question they replied. NO"
\ recess was then taken until 1880
when the jury was charged.
Judge o'6riens Charge to Jury.
Judge OBrien's charge 10 the grand
jury was a voluminous document occu-
pying twenty typewriter pages. II
was general in scope and did not touch
specifically on any matter TO be inquir-
ed into. The charge first explained to
the jurymcn their methods of proceed
ure and the purpose for which they
were called. 1t stated that to bring an
Indictment or true bill, no less than
twelve OF the iurymen must concur.
The inquiry is made i'm the presence of
| the prosecuting attorney and stcnog-
rapher. bat not even these officers may
be present while the jurymcn are eX-
pressing opinion or taking a ballot.
The court referred to the calling of
a grand inquest as an unusual proceed
ing i'm the state of Michigan but de-
! clared the strike has SO demoralized
! the county and that there have been
SO many alleged violations of the law
/ ii was found impossible to investigate
them i'm the ordinary way.
The charge to all intcnts and pur-
poses covers the entire criminal code
of the state OF Michigan. BY this aS
meant that the jury may inquire into
any breach of the peace, misdemeanor.
felony or crime which it may bc aIlcg-
cd has grown out or the strike,
The Judge referred more particularly
10 the possibilities that the jury might
be asked To inquire into alleged riots,
unlawful assemblies, the carrying Of
arms concealed or otherwise, dyuamit-
ing with the intent to destroy life or
property, and assaults on individuals,
with or without the intent 10 commit
murder.
Meyer First TO be Summoned.
G. II. Moyer, president Of the fedora q
tion. was the first to be summoned be-
fore the grand jury. Notice was scrN d
ed upon him in Calumet this morning
and he took the stand when the jury
convened at las. II is the intention
10 summon every officer agitator and
organizer of the federation now in tho
district, So sweeping will be the probe
The departure at this time of Vance
TcrSich, j. G. Lowney, members of tho
executive board of the federation ano
William Rickard, president Of the loca
union, from the district is believed tC
be the result of the grand inquest
Tcrsich left Saturday night while
Lowncy and Rickard left last night i
Is believed they have gone east, prob
ably to Washington.
Two Arrests at Alloues.
Deputies this morning arrested Johr
Stcnko and Enerc 10th at Alloucz fol
carrying concealed weapons. The de
PENDANTS were seen lurking about th'
homes OF wurkmen and the suspicion
of officers was aroused a search o
their clothing revealed revolver an,
: blackjack on Stenko and "A blacbjacl
, and dirk on 10th. They were taken be
, fore Justice Medlyn who fixed thci
, bonds at Sl,00 and $500. respectively
, The examination was set FOR Saturday
: Justice Mcdlyn notified prosperity
bondsmen that they must produce
statement to the effect that they pos
scss sufficient property TO cover an eX
emption of $1,000, as is required undc
the statutes Up to press time. ncithe
4 had obtained bonds.
v Sheriff Stops Sunday Parade.
I Despite the fact that at tederatio
z headquarters 1t was stated that plan
n for Yesterdays parade and meeting
II were called off by the strikers becaus
a halls were not available, Sheriff Crus
says that ne prohibited the pjarad