The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-09-27
COPPER COUNTRY STRIKE
Status OF The Affair and Result OF Efforts
Made During the Week TO End il

Hoiic VI lucul lcss. All OF lnem drt
shipping diminished quantities OF rock
10 the mills and the claim is made that
additions are being made TO the work
ring forces day by day and that il is
only matter OF a short time when
the mines will nave all OF the men
that they want
On the other hand the Western
Federation claims that the force az
work is less than third of the full
force and that the federation men are
remaining steadfast in the ranks and
will fight the strike TO finish Orders
are being issued by the strike officials
to the men upon which they get
'grub" at certain of the stores but in
what quantity is not gwen ont
Business. outside of the federation
stores. is very quiet and the business
men are all complaining as the number
of men at work is not sufficient 70
MAINTAIN the stores doing business
The efforts made by the u. $.
government to affect settlement by
arbitration was turned down by the
operators who insist on a retirement
OF the Western Federation of Miners
from the district before they will con
slider any complaints from the men
Judge O'Brien of the Houghton cir
cult issued an injunction that was to
take effect last Monday morning re-
straining the labor organization from
picketing the mines, parading at GER
tain hours with the intent of intimi-
dating workmen or in any way inter
fering with the property of the min
ing companies. This is the most im-
portani legal document issued during
the strike.
The position of the operators is set
forth pretty well in letter written
by Allen f. Rees. written to Chairman
Hemans OF the state railroad commits
sion who as a private citizen and In
communion with Gov. Ferris. sought TO
bring about the settlement Of the
strike.
Attorney Rees says that the PROPOSE
tion was made by Mr.. Darrow to him
in talk they had few days before
the Lansing conference, and Rees says
that he was obliged to turn down the
proposition then because Darrow could
not give any assurance OF what he
would mean by passing up. as
Darrow expressed il. the Reorganization
Of the Western Federation of Miners.
The mine owners declare IL is the in
tention of the Federation gradually 10
combine their strength until the iron
mine districts ara affected and that
Reorganization OF them would mean
nohing more than a constant recur
renee of the present troubles.
Continuous trouble would mean the
closing of many of the mines. say the
mine owners. as competition with the
west, coupled with labor troubles Of
the Federation. would mean copper
could not be produced at price il
could be sold for in the market.
They also declare that the organiza.
tion of the Federation is not maintain
ed in the copper country in the in
terests of the mine workers. but the
Federation has in view the fruitfu
field OF the copper country as source
of income for it's operations through
out the west.
They declare that it will be i'm
possible TO consider the unemployment
of members of the Federation while
tney continue their membership. The
communication deals at length with
the cause of the strike which IL Is
claimed was only 10 get recognition
OF the Federation. This. they argue.
is still the real issue
They also declare that the three
alleged grievances OF the men namely,
an eight hour day. one man drill and
minium wage Of SO day were never
submitted To the mine owners.
The letter speaks of the efforts OF
the department OF labor and the com.
mercial club b. bring peace and sssur.
e1 these two organizations that the
Federation mast be eliminated.
IF the Federation would not only
nomipally. but in fact withdraw.
am convinced that each company would
take under fair consideration any alleg
ed grievances and come to an early and
amicable adjustment with all the en-
ployes. 4" says Rees. He declares the
Federation stands between the com
panies and the employees as bar 70
an early settlement OF all difficulties.
Frank Armstrong who is now master