The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-09-16
FLAG INCIDENT IS PROBED
KEEP SOLDIERS OUT OF SALOONS

The strike investigating committee
Of the Copper Country Commercial
club is progressing satisfactorily with
IFS mission. That they might see for
themselves what actual underground
conditions are the members of the
committee went underground in the
Calumet branch Of the {. Il II. mine
this afternoon Men engaged in all
branches OF the work. mining. tram
ming, timbering, etc, viii be inter-
viewed and the committee also will
note what measures have been taken
90 provide Tor safety.
The committee mas met with every
announcement and considerable
clerical help is required 20 compile the
mass of data already submitted. The
mining companies have given the com
mittee riee access TO any information
desired.
II is a big undertaking, Tor the com
mittee is determined to ascertain tho
facts SO far as they are obtainabie.
And no disposition has been shown by
anyone concerned 10 retard the com
mttec in it's work or conceal informa-
ton. II probably win be some time
before the result of the investigation
is made known and overtures are made
20 the oontending parties FOR settle
ment.
The progress OF the Commercial
club committee is watched with in
terest all over the district The move
ment Is regarded everywhere AZ the
most important step yet taken to-
wards adjusting the present labor diff
rculty.
Probe Flag Incident.
Inquiry into the flag incident Of last
Saturday, which agitators took occa-
sion 20 make capital Of by wiring
protest to Governor Ferris, continued
before the state military board today,
but owing 10 the examination Of ad-
ditional witnesses, no report will be
made until tomorrow. The proceed
ines Of the board are public and many
witnesses and others are in attend
ancc.
Evidence introduced today tends 10
substantiate the first official report Of
the incident that the flag was knock
cd from a striker as ~ was attempt
| ng TO force a passage with the flag
staff as a bludgeon. The man who
carried the flag gives his name as
/ Frank King. who asserted previously
that the standard was cut by saber
/ or a hayonet The testimony Of strik-
/ ers is connicuug but witnesses for
! both sides to the controversy assert
1 that the flag was not trampled upon
/ by soldiers but torn. Inadvertently
when the bearer attempted to pick II
up from the street As King reached
! for the flag. n crowd Of strikers and
spectators pressed upon the cavalry
men and in the melee, some persons
stepped upon the folds OF the nag.
The evidence further shows that
/ bearers of this and other flags used
the points 60 pierce the horses of cav
alrymon in an attempt to dlscon-
cert the troopers. II was this
action. il is stated by spectators
that pr,cipttoted the ncar-rlot.
The hoard today is attempting to
learn why the parade was stopped and
! by whose authority Testimony so far
introduced reveals that leaders of the
procession said they werc going To
Red Jacket shaft. but the strikers
clarm they were going south on Eighth
street. Believing the parade was
headed FOR Red Jacket shaft. mill
tary officers halted it and the melee
followed.
Has Not Resigned.
Captain Frank Blaclman of Jackson
recently submitted n request that he
be relieved from strike duty and de
clared his intention of resigning, but
he has reconsidered the matter and
his petition has been withdrawn. The
post Of Captain Blackman. at Red
Jacket shaft is somewhat isolated and
one of the most important Al
though complaints have been made
against his military conduct. it has not
been shown that he has ever acted be-
yond bounds. Through the mis-
Interpretation of - statement by
capt. Blackman. an outside news
uaparp,ap credits him with saw