The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-29
CALL ON CONGRESS
TO INVESTIGATE
Chicago Unionists Blame Mine
Owners for Tragedy OH
Christmas Eve.
DIRECT CHARGE BY TANNER
Declares Man Who Called Fire
Wore Citizens Alliance
Button.

,
Congress to investigate conditions i'm
the copper country of Michigan was
made to-day by the Chicago Federation
| or Labor, in resolutions which directly
charged owners of the mines and their
agents with being responsible for tho
tragedy of Christmas Ivo in Calumet.
Mich, when seYcnty-two persons lost
their lives.
The resolutions also charged that
Houehton County Is under govern
inent by gunner, under orders OF the
mine owners, and That Charles n Nov
err president of the Western Federation
OF Miners. was assaulted shot and
driven out OF Hancock by thugs and
gunner.
The announcement that tho Western
Federation OF Miners will concentrate
Its strength on the copper strike was
made by Yanco Terzich, II member of
the executive board Every member
OF the board, he said. plans to go to
the copper mining region next week
we are going to win that strike or
break up the organization" he said.
AS soon as Mr.. Meyer is able, 'he will
be back there as the leader"
Charles II. Tanner. auditor OF tho
western Federation. who with Meyer
was escorted from Hancock, stirred the
fire against the Citizens Alliance
we have ample evidence" he said
Half dozen witnesses will testify
that the man who called Fire. In Ital-
ian Hail wore Citizens Alliance but
ton"
Emmet T. Flood, national organizer
Of the American Federation of Labor
was the only speaker directly counsel
ing violence. Meet them with their
own weapons" he urged. "If it is
known that the State and county gov
eminent will not give the protection
guaranteed under the Constitution
every man who goes TO the strike re-
gion should have his own protection
with him."
Associations Adopted.
1t was at the >conclusion OF the
speeches that the resolutions were
adopted. The resolutions related to
conditions Of labor of the miners de-
clared that representatives of both
state and national governments, after
investigation. had found that the min
ers had real grievance, and added
that: since July % two of the strik-
ing miners. while peaceably in their
own homes, were foully and cowardly
murdered in cold blood by the import
ed murdcrers. gunner ano thugs
brought there by the copper mine own
ers to drive the striking miners back
to the mines like slaves; and,
Whereas these imported despera-
does have also shot a part OF little
girls head of, brutality beaten up the
striking miners, their women and
children. abused and insulted them as
poi VI liciI eNtTSuay WOrk. ana
Whereas. as a diSect result of the
determination OF Shaw, Aggasiz and
other owners OF the copper mines to
prevent the organization OF their slaves
FOR self-protection, and to prosecute
and drive union leaders. and organizers
from the copper country, so many
human lives were lost on Christmas
Ere. many o: them being children OF
the striking miners; and
Whereas the blood OF these innocent
children Is upon tho hands of the mine
owners, who first tried to starve the
parents into submission and slavery,
and then, after the calamity, tried to
force upon the suffering Families their
Dloody aims; and
Whereas citizens of Houehton
County, together with imported thugs
and gunner, brutaiiy assaulted and
shot Charles II. Meyer. president, and
Charles III. Tanner, auditor of the
Western Federation of Miners, and by
force and ut the point OF guns drove
both Meyer and Tanner from Houghton
County and the State OF Michigan;
Resolved. That the assembled citi-
zens OF the United States appeal. as
a last resort. TO the Congress OF the
United States to investigate conditions
IN the copper country OF Michigan to
the end that the people of this country
may know the truth, and that all citi-
zens may be protected In their rights
guaranteed by the Constitution"