The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-26
IT MAY BRING PEACE.
Calumet Tragedy Is Expected to End
the Labor War.

Calumet, Mich, Dec. 26.-While
four separate Investigations of Calu-
NETS Christmas tree disaster, in
which. II persons. most Of them chill
dren, were killed, were being made
today and q dispute was being wased
as to who should bury the dead.
peacemakers were at work in a su-
preme effort to bring about an end to
the copper mine strike in this region.
Over the bodies of the little ones.
the leaders Of the peace movement
hoped to see an end to the labor strife
which has torn the Calumet copper
district for several months. United
in their grief over the snufhng out of
SO many young ives. the warning fac
tions-mine operators. guards and
strike breakers, and the striking union
miners and their friends gave no
thought to the big labor battle that
indirectly is blamed for the most
gruesome horror in the history OF
Calumet. There was still a dispute
over whether the offer of the Citizens
alliance, an organization that has been
considered hostile to the strikers. to
defray all the burial expenses would
be permitted. Officials Of the Western
Federation of Miners declared that
the offer would be spurned. I'VE will
care for our own dead, was the re-
Spouse to- the alliance.
The feeling of hostility was not SO
marked today, when 1t was seen the
citizens of Calumet and other cities in
the mine district were in earnest in
their effort to raise funds for the
stricken families Almost unlimited
amounts of money were pledged by
mine owners and merchants who have
been opposing the strikers. The COM
mittee representing the operators
went from house to house today, COM
forting the surviving members of fam
lilies whose dear ones were taken from
them in the unnecessary panic. Fol-
lowing this committee went others
and suggestions that peace be de-
clared between the forces represent
ing capital and labor were diplomat
ically expressed.
After the funerals Of all the victims
which were to be arranged for later
today, it was expected by many that
the spirit Of fight will have been in
TERED with the bodies of the innocent
children and wives of the strikers and
that peace will prevail
Gov. Francis E. McGovern of Wis
consin sent the following telegram to
Governor Farri= today:
For the people of Wisconsin and
myself 1 send you and the citizens of
your state a message Of sympathy in
Calumet death horror. Wisconsin.
Michigan's neighbor, stands ready to
offer you aid to care for the afflicted
by this disaster, which has spread a
pail over the holiday season.
Wilson Sends . Man.
Washington, Dec. 26.-Secretary of
Labor Wilson today ordered John B.
Densmore, solicitor Of the department.
to Calumet. Mich. to render any as
sistance possible in settling the copper
strike situation. The Christmas eve
tragedy in which Y lives were lost. the
secretary said he thought. was a matter
for state investigation.
In a telegram to President Meyer OF
the Western Federation of Miners. Sec
retary Wilson said 1t appeared that the
tragedy was mot in any way connected
with the strike situation.
IT cannot conceive of such q connec-
ton existing" the secretary's message
continued. 1T is almost inconceivable
that anyone could be SO inhuman as to
plan such a catastrophe. but whether
1t was planned or the result of ma
licious mischief. 1 hope the facts will
be promptly brought to light.
From the information as yet in my
possession 1t would appear to be pure
fy statutory crime. sclely within the
jurisdiction Of the police powers of the
state. I am. however. sending the So
hcitcr of the department, Mr.. John b.
DenamOre to Calumet for the purpo1e