The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-26
Head of Western Federation of
Miners Demands Federal
Probe in Case of Calumet's
Christmas Tree Tragedy.
POLITICAL CAPITAL
ATTEMPT is THOUGHT
Unoficially Learned at Pass
Christian President VIII Not
Order Investigation. Row on
Between Miners and Citizens
Delays Funerals.

Delays Funerals.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 25.---A federal
investigation OF the tragedy at Calr-
met, Michigan, Is demanded by
Charles II. Meyer. president of the
Western Federation Of Miners, in =
telegram received by Secretary Of
Labor Wilson today. President Moy-
er Is directing the strike of the min
ers in the vicinity of Calumet. His
telegram. dated last night, was as foi-
lows
while striking miners, with their
wives, were arranging for a Christmas
tree in hall at Calumet. Mich. to-
night. the door WAS opened by per-
son whc gave a false alarm of fire. In
their effort to get out of the hall
seventy seven people lost their lives
'Circunst arces surrounding this
terrible occurrence demand Immediate
investis alton by the government. I
have wired the president Win you
see him and urge immediate action Z"
Secretary Wilson said tonight h
would communicate with the president
as soon as possible. but that he WAS
not certain that the government
would have jurisdiction In this Case
Attempt Political Capital.
PASS CHRISTIAN. MISS. Dec. rs.
The attempt of Charles s. Meyer
and the heads OF the Western Fedora
ton OF Miners to make political cap
ital out of the disaster Mt Calumet.
Mich. will fail.
1t was learned unofiicially tonight
that President Wilson will not accede
TO the demands that he order federal
L.. s{Ax~ se ,vA< "a
have made it very plain that II there
was any criminal negligence In con-
nection with the unnecessary panic
il Is a matter for the local authorities
TO consider,
Meyer, who was indicted for the as
sassination of Governor Frank Steuen-
berg. of Idaho. but who was never
tried on the indictment. wanted
Secretary OF Labor Wilson and the
president to have the federal authorf-
ties intervene and investigate the al
fair. On Just what grounds he based
his request is still a mystery here. but
II lis certain that President Wilson will
brook no interference with the local
authorities.
List of Dead Corrected. ~.
CALUMET, MICH. Dec GA
corrected list of the dead. as re-
suit of the catastrophe In the Italian
Union Hall, In the town of Red
Jacket. shows that seventy-two lost
their lives.
1t In believed that all the bodies
have been found. All of the dead
have been Identified.
Three Of the injured, two boyH,
and a girl, will probably die.
The authorities have been unable
TO locate the person, claimed to have
been man In the audience at the
Christmas tree exercises, who raised
the alarm OF fire which resulted ~
the casualties. although supplied with
a perfect description. Mrs. Jacob
Lustig. OF Laurium, wife OF striker.
states that she sat behind the man
who first raised the alarm.
He cried out, she believes. before ne
really thought there was q nre- Sne
commanded him to sit down ana Keep
quiet, but instead he hastily LETT
Mrs. Lustig lost one child In the
panic.
From Man I'm Hell.
Matt Saari, who also lost boy In
the catastrophe. says he was standing
at the top OF the stairs when the cry
Of fire was raised: that no man ran up
the stairs and cried Fire" by the door
way. but that 1t came from the middle
of the hall Saari. not knowing where
cape. His son was one OF the VIC
tins.
The authorities are still undeter-
mined as to whether or not there was
any Are in the hall. but are Of tho
opinion that there was. because or tho
report from a good source that man
carrying child with sparks flying
from its clothing. as II lighted by cam
die or a pipe. was seen leaving the
building during the panic.
The federation of miners people deny
lrthat there was any IRE, however. The
| two factions in the community are a.
sword points regarding arrangementa
| for the funeral OF the seyenty-two vic-
! tins of the panic--both the federation
OF miners and the citizens bodies de-
| termining to take charge. The cittxeno
demand that the funeral be made pub
! lie, and President Meyer. of the fedSra@
ton, denies their right to do 70.
Accept No Outside Aid.
! At meetings of citizens this Altar
noon resolutions of coincidence ami
offering aid were adopted and commikv
! tees appointed to ascertain the ccndt~
| ton of the families OF the victims. ana
| to render every possible assistance. "a
| outside assistance Win be accepted. -
4 federation OF miners also held nieetin91s
ard appointed committees to visit 40
| families of the victims from each o9
| the eight nationalities repreaAnte4s
! among the killed Final arrangements
! for the funerals will be made tonOgss
row. VII
| The undertakers of the copper coutxs
| trv were absolutely unable 10 care N0eS
1.-THE dead. so rapidly we're the HtklM'
! forms piled up tn their morEuSs. ThlfS&
additional Baskets were shipped fMa