The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-25
FEAR TROUBLE
Clash Between Strikers and
Michigan Troops Imminent.
Operators Refuse to Hold Con-
ference With Miners.

Calumet, Michigan, July 25.-Whether
the coming of state troops to the copper
country means an end to violence or
fresh outbreaks, was the chief subject
of discussion in Calumet today. Many
look for clashes about various shatts'
despite the policy of the Western
Federation against the use of force oy
the men. Troops Will be distributed
among the mines and kept WITHIN easy
communication. Brigade headquarters
will be in Calumet. Troops are pltch-
ing tents about the armory and adJac-
ent fields. Menominee 500. Alpena anu
Sheboygen companies are expScteo
here before noon and lower peninsula
companies will arrive during the after
noon Houghton company arrived last
night Captain Mead, company A, en-
Rineers, who held his company under
orders at the armory all night, and
Houghton company G, are ready at
moments notice to respond. Large
numbers of strikers gathered about
Number Q Calumet and Heckla shaft
this morning, but made no demonstra-
ton other than letting out an OCCASION
al veil They threatened, however. TO
go to the Superior boiler house OF the
Calumet and Heckla and draw Inc
fires. but so far have made no attempt
to do this.
General closing of saloons IS expecteo
if more violence occurs.
Gov. Ferris is being kept advised OF
DEVELOPMENTS and is not expected mere
until the situation takes a cruciai
turn Troops were welcomed by TIE
people generally as the violence OF yes
terday presaged more serious trouble |
Deputies unarmed, were unable TO |
cope with the strikers and the authorl-
ties were reluctant to permit tne USE
of arms. Last nights mass meetings |
and parades developed no disturbance |
The Western Federation of Miners Is
holding out for a conference with the
mine managers, but this 1t Is salo VIII
not be granted. In the strike area Oh
seventy-five miles $4,000 or more men
are idle. These include surface anu
stamp mill hands.
Shelters are still operating. TIE
strikers for the most part are young,
unmarried Austrians. Firms, Hun
garians, and Bulgarians.
Two thousand strikers of the kewee-
nav county mines, adjacent TO the al
umet district marched to Calumet from
the Ahmeek, Mohawk, Allouse, VOL
VERNE and Centennial mines. The
marching miners reached here at 10
o'clock and passed quietly through the
streets A large American flag was
carried at the head of the line ana
there were many small flags. The men
were laughing and joking. Militiamen
are at the South Shore depot awaiting
the arrival of other Upper peninsula
troops. Strikers this morning drove
deputies away from the wolverine and
Ahmeek mines. At the Allouse mines
the fires were drawn by strikers and
the pump shut down.
There was practically no disored up
to noon. Guy E. Miller, Colorado mem
Der of the executive board of the
Western Federation of Miners issued a
statement in which he compared con-
iitions in the Calumet district with
those in other copper producing Sec
tons.
THE cause of the strike here was n
deep seated unrest whose extent the
company management failed to real
ze," he said.
I'm asking recognition of the UNION,
an eight hour day, abolition of thel
one-man drill, and improved conditions ,
generally we have simply tried to put
The miners and surface workers of the ,
Lake Superior mines on a par with
men doing similar work in other parts
Of America.
In Butte for instance. the minimum ,
wage with copper at 10 cents Is S3.75
a day for underground men and in mol !
case does it go below $3.50. In Arizona
it averages 1915, but in the CalumetI
district the maximum is from SO to
$3.50 and the men here have been work
Ing from ten to thirteen hours Il day s
in the other mining sections ,
8 hours constitutes a days work"
All Troops Called Out.
Lansing, July 25.-It was announcedI
in the adjutant generals office today
that practically every company in the
Michigan National Guard was either on
its way to the copper country or would
entrain as soon as cars are available. | 7
1t was reported more than 1000
would be in the strike zone
before tomorrow night. Brigadier Cen
eral P. L. Abbey head of the state
militia, will take charge
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