Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-26
President Wilson Asked
to Direct Probe of Dis
aster at Calumet.
DEATH LIST Is NOW IL
Citizens and Strikers Join in
Relief of Persons Losing
Relatives in Rush.

washin ston, Dec. 2s.-Secretary
Tumulty today forwarded TO Presi.
dent Wilson a request OF President
Meyer OF the Western Federation Of
Miners for q federal investigation OF
the FIRE horror at Calumet.
In a telegram 20 President Meyer Of
the Western Federation OF Miners.
Secretary Wilson said it appeared the
tragedy was not in any way connect
ed with the sJriKe situation
II cannot conceive Of such a con-
nection existing" the message con
tfDued. "It is almost fnconceivable
any one could be so 1nhuman as 70
plan such a catastrophe, but whether
planned OF the result Of malicious mis-
chief hope the facts Will be promptly
brought 10 light. From information
IL would appear 10 be purely a statu-
tory crime. solely within the jurisdic-
ton of the police powers OF the state
:. however. am sending Solicitor John
y. DensmOre for the. purpose Of rem
dcring any assistance possible clear
ing the situation
Tile secretary expressed 10 Meyer
his sympathy for friends and -taIn1-
lies Of the killed. Densmsre,. it was
announced at the departmesSt was in
structed by Secretary Wilson % en-
doayor 10 settle the strike.
-Four Investigations.
Calumet. Mich. Dec 26-While
four separate Investigations Of Calu-
AZ Fra
which u persons. most OF them chill
dren. were killed. were being made
today and dispute rageG as TO who
should bury the dead. peacemakers
" ere at work in a supreme effort TO
bring 10 an end the copper mine
strike
over the bodies of the little ones
the peacemakers hoped TO see an end
TO labor strife which has torn the dis
trict for several months. United in
grief the warrinE factiOns-mine
operators. guards. strikebreakers,
stricken union miners, and their fami-
lies gave no thought 10 the big labor
battle that l. indirectly blamed for
the most gruesome horror in the his
tory OF Calumet.
There is stu dispute whether the
offer OF the Citizens Alliance, an or
ganization considered hostile 10 the
strikers. TO defray all burial expenses,
VIII be permitted. Union officials
declared the offer would be spurned. /
Hostile Feeling Disappearing.
We will care for our own dead"
was the response 20 the alliance. Feel I
ing OF hostility was not 20 marked to- .
day when II was seen that the citizens 4
OF Calumet and other cities In the dis I
trict were in earnest in their efforts /
10 raise funds for the stricken fami- /
lies. Almost unlimited amounts Of 1
money were pledged by mine owners /
and merchants who have been oppos- .
ing the strikers Committees repre- I
seuting the operators went from house /
TO house comforting the surviving +.
members OF the families OF the vic
tins OF the disaster. Following these I
committees were others and suEges-
lions that peace De declared between
the forces representing capital and
labor were ciplomaticaIly expressed
After the funeral Of all the victims.
which viii be arranged for later to
day. II IS expected by many that the
spirit OF fight VIII have been inferred
with the bodies OF the innocent wives
and children Of the strikers.
Labor Sending Money
Coroner Fisher viii convene a Jury
Monday morning. The Federation OF
Miners local has tentatively arranged
that the funeral OF the victims be held
Sunday afternoon. each nationality
holding Z separate service The pro-
gram. howere-. is subject 70 change
The federation reports contributions
pouring II from organized labor in all
parts % the country. The federation
stiIl insists II will bury its own dead
and look after the families % the be-
-eaved. paying all expenses.
Calumet. Mich. Dec ef-A great
mass meeting % Calumcr citizens was
held yesterday afternoon 20 devise
ways and means 10 take care OF the