South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-26
viii Keep Men at Calumet as
Long as Trouble is Imminent
But Will Take No Action
Settling Affair.
STRIKERS WANT THE
TROOPS TO KEEP PEACE
Trouble Was Expected and
Sixty Candle Power Lamps
Were Strung Around Plant
at Six Feet Intervals.

CALUMET. Mich. July 26. - Re
ports that Gov. w. n. Ferris would
come to Houghton Friday night to
help arrange a settlement Of the
strike of $1,000 copper mine en-
ployes brought out an unofficial state
ment from the mine managers that
they would welcome the governors
presence.
All plans for arbitration under the
direction Of the governor were soon
dispelled however by the announce
ment that Mr.. Ferris had no present
intentions OF corning TO the copper
country. or of withdrawing the
militia. which is protecting the mines
against any further outbreak of the
strikers.
The following telegram was sent
TO the governors office in Lansing
Thursday afternoon by c. +. Ma
honey vice president of the Western
Federation of Miners:
I'VE res pectfully request that you
come here and investigate the indus
trial dispute in the copper mining
district and use your good offices to
effect a settlement and TO direct that
the troops be used 10 preserve peace
tuSttdQ OF 10 operate the mines dS
seems to be the present intent"
Disorders occurred spasmodically
in the outlying districts of the mining
country Friday. but in no case did the
union manifestants quell the mob
spirit which appeared in the attack
upon Calumet and Hecla property
Thursday.
a call for troops came from the
south range when union sympathizers
drove away the sheriff's deputies at
the Baltic, Try Mountain and other
mines. but an investigation by militia
commands convinced them that the
situation was not serious enough To
require the presence of state soldiers.
II was the consensus among the
officers of the three companies al
ready here that the storm center
would remain in and about Calumet.
Accordingly rather unusual precau-
tiOns were taken TO guard the shops
and shaft of the Calumet & Hecla
Friday night Company electricians
strung wires all about the plant with
90 candle power lamps suspended
therefrom every six feet. A small
imitation of a great white way re-
suited, and while il served TO draw
a big crowd of curiosity seekers early
in the evening. the militia command
ers were convinced that the illumi
nation would prevent any possibility
armory or mine buildings at night.
The union officials held a confer
ence Friday afternoon and Friday
night issued "A statement supplement-
ing that given out earlier in the day.
Friday nights statement was as
follows:
THE strike was not called until
peaceable means had failed. We
could not compel a conferences; we
could only request IL. The secretary
Of the copper district union of the
Western Federation of Miners mailed
a letter To the operating companies of
the district on July IA requesting a
conference not later than the 21st for
the consideration and adjustment of
grievances relative TO the hours.
wages and the conditions of labor.
Not even the courtesy OF a reply was
extended.
a strike or silent submission was
the only alternative presented 10 the
miners of the district. The latter
naturally suggests itself to those who
derive proht from the miners labor.
IL is SO easy 10 bear the troubles of
others
THE only statement that we have
seen from the companies standpoint.
was 20 the effect shat they have never
treated with the Western Federation
Of Miners and did not feel that il was
necessary 10 do so now The worker
has at least as large a stake in the
management Of the industry in which
he is employed as he has in the con-
duct OF government, local or national
His citizenship gives him a voice IN
government: his employment should
give him a voice as 10 hours, wages
and the conditions obtaining in the
industry in which he is employed.
That IS what is meant by recognition
of the union and constitutes the long
est step yet taken toward the estab-
lishment of justice and industrial
peace.
Why have not the employees OF the
mining companies as good a right 10
choose a spokesman as the stockhOld-
ers acting through their directors.
have 20 choose manager. Is not the
welfare OF the $4,000 mine. mill and
smelter workers and the families en-
titled % as much consideration as the
dividends OF the stockholders. Men
who are good enough 10 pile up mil
lions in dividends for their employers
are good enough 10 meet them in con-
ference.
The wages Of the underground
workers. throughout the copper mines
of the country. with the exception OF
MichiRn. would average $3.50 per
day. IL would take several increases
for them 10 reach that figure here"
NEW YORK.-Told by Anne Ner-
scsian he had the same chance 20