The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-16
MINISTERS TAKE
STAND FOR LAW
Resolutions Score Federation and
Dsplore Rev. Johns Stand

per Country Methodist Ministers asso-
citation yesterday afternoon, SCORING
the Western Federation of Miners FOR
The lawlessness which has character
lied the strike So far, criticisng the
! public references 20 the strike of Rev,
4. Raymond Johns Of Flint, formerly
OF Lake Linden, expressing enthusiasts
tic endorsement for Governor Ferris
action i'm sending the troops here To
maintain law and order and for the
stand of the mining companies in re-
tusing recognition for the Western
| Federation OF Miners.
Rev. Adams of the Calumet Metho-
dist church, president of the associa-
! ton presided and other members of
the committee on resolutions were Rev.
/ w. y. Marvin. district superintendent.
Rev. Reuben Crosby of the Hancock
NJ. Il. church and Rev II. II. Mallinson
of the Lake Linden NJ. T.. church.
Resolutions adopted are as follows;
"luaSmuCh as there have been many
questions asked regarding the atti-
tude Of the ministry toward the strike
situation in the copper country, we
therefore a. the Cooper Country
Methodist Ministerial association, pre-
sent the following statement Of our
position
we express our deep interest in
the welfare of laboring men. They
constitute the larger part Of our con-
grcgauuns and form the principal por-
tiuu OF our personal associates, We
are anxious to aid them in securing
~ just amt adequate compensation for
their toll. We believe in their right
20 orgauizc for personal advantage
providing they conduct their organ
izatiun ~ harmony with the recog-
nized principles of reason, justice and
true morality, and with due regard to
the rights Of other laborers and their
employers We also believe in the
right ot men TO remain outside of la
Lur ORGANIZATIONS ana t. work where
and for whom they have opportunity
without insult or danger of molesta-
ton We believe In the right Of en-
ployers To engage such men as they
need 10 advance their interests. and
that they have right TO refuse to
employ %. t. dismiss from their SER
vices any man or member of any or
SANITATION whose history principles or
practices are hostile or detrimental to
tho success of their industry. We also
believe that capital is entitled to just
and adequate profit upon it's invest
meut.
we commend our chief executive.
Woodbridge y. Ferris for the prompt
action h" took i'm sending troops to
the strike district when acts Of law
iessncss hrst took place, thereby
preventing, i'm our opinion. wide
spread loss of life and property. and
tending To conserve the peace Of the
community. We also express our deep
appreciation of the services of the
Michigan national guard for their ju-
dicious conduct under the most trying
circumstances when insulted mis-
treated and abused by the hundreds
OF strikers, and of the heroic self sac
riiice OF the local deputies who took
their lives into their hands in the de-
sire to help preserve the peace and
maintain due respect for the law; and
Of the attitude of the mine managers
in employing sufficient guards to pre-
vent iu large measure the carrying out
Of tho threats of the strikers, render
ing life much more safe than such a
disturbed situation would otherwise
PROMISE and of Sheriff Cruise and his
staff, who have been unCeasing in
thei' efforts to prevent lawlessness.
- probable that among the ma
tional guard and the private paid de-
tectiycs there were some personal
lapses from the high moral standards
taught and maintained by our church,
which we cannot help but regret. but
conduct made by the Western Fed
Grafton OF Miners are without fOunda-
ton and so far from the truth as TO
be unworthy the credenCc of thought
iul men The Western Federation Of
Miner. because of the multiplied deeds
Of violence, has forfeited its right To
The confidence of the community ana
u IlEIl lUlllhlHE men every NncIt, anu
is rot entitled to that respect which is
accorded To law abiding citizens. We
commend the mine managers for their
determination not TO recognize this
organization, and urge its complete
elimination from this controversy. We
would request the attention of the
strikers TO the fact that a "baCk-tO-
work committee" has been formed
with which they may confer, and
earnestly plead with them, il they
sincerely wish to end the strike. to
abandon the Western Federation of
Miners and negotiate with the com
panics through this local committee.
We express surprise at the reports
that have reached US through the
press of the state of a meeting held
at Flint. Mich, at which the Rev. a.
Il. Johns took a prominent part. max
ing some statements regarding his
connection with the Calumet a. Hecla
company. which are not verified by
the resords of the company, ana also
lending his sanction and aid TO and
making Communications OF the Western