New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-01
coroner's Jury Rejects All
Charges Calling Miners
Enemies Responsible.
STRIKERS DRAFTING
PLAN OF SETTLEMENT
- This Fails They Want the Leg
stature TO impose a
Tonnage Tax.

Calumet Mich, Dec. d.-An open YER
,.c, including finding that the Christ
- Eve panic. which cost seventy-two
,'res IN italian Hall. was caused by an
farm OF fire raised within the hall, was
-s,urned tonight by the coroner's jury
,,,,ch for three days has been hearing
Evidence
EVERY allegation that enemies OF the
western Federation OF Miners were re-
sDonsible for starting the panic was re-
,eried BY the jury. which spent six hours
considering the verdict.
~Rv the evidence OF the witnesses we
spd that the cause OF the deaths was
sufocston. the same being caused by
helpr tanned on the stairway leading 10
sbe entrance Of the Italian Hall" said
the verdict. The stampede was caused
bv some person or persons unknown TO
the Jury al this time, raising an alarm
Of FIRE within the hall
The Jury decided that the evidence
showed that only those possessing union
cards or vouched for by some member
ef the union, were allowed TO enter the
Mace. Rejection Of charges that deputy
sherins, mine guards and company doc
tors had held back would-be rescuers was
contained IN a paragraph commencing the
uork Of men who cleared the stairway Of
dead and injured.
An intangible note Of optimism 6evel-
sped IN the strike situation to-day. John
=. Densmore. of the federal Department
OF Labor said he had been encouraged;
W. j. Macdonald. who is pressing reso-
luton for a Congressional inquiry, said
there was q rift in the clouds. and attor-
neys for the Western Federation Of
Miners thought that a way of settling
the difficulty might be found soon.
Lansing, Mich. Dec. &.-In an effort 10
bring 70 an end the labor troubles IN the
copper country, representatives OF the
various state labor unions will draft a
plan for settlement, which they will ask
Governor Ferris 10 forward TO President
shaw Of the Calumet and Hecla Mining
Company. at Boston.
At a conference Of union men here this
afternoon It was decided to take the mat
ter over the head OF James MacNaugh-
ton. general manager OF the Calumet and
Hecia. in the hope Of further arousing
public sentiment and forcing the mining
cornpanies TO come 10 terms, or at least
10 submit the matter 10 a board OF arbi-
tration.
In the event that the mining companies
involved In the strike refuse TO treat with
their former employees. or pay any atten-
ion 10 the request of the Governor that
they al least meet the representatives OF
the labor organizations, the union men
insisted that Governor Ferris call spe-
eials session of the Legislature and advo-
cate the passage OF a tonnage tax. Yelled
threats Of using the recall were made in
case the Governor refuses TO call a spe-
cisl session, II attempts to arbitrate again
fail.
Although the Governor informed Clar-
ence barrow, counsel for the Western
Federation of Miners; John Mitchell
former president of the United Mine
Workers, and President w. d. Mahon, OF
the international Street Railwaymen' :
Organization, all of whom spoke in favor
Of this plan. that he would continue 10
DO everything in his power to brins
about a settlement. he did not say he
would call q special session Of the Legis-
laiure and attempt 10 force the passage
Of tonnage tax.
Nj Darrow told the Governor thai
there was no chance the strikers would
get fair chance with the grand jury
impaneiled in Houghton County.
The chauffeur OF James MacNaughton'
general manager Of the Calumet and
Hecla. one mine manager and eight mem
bers Of the Citizens Alliance are mem
oers Of the grand jury. but I notice mons
OF the strikers was placed on the jury
said barrow.
The Governor assured Darrow this was
the frat time such a charge had been
made to his knowledge, and promised a
thorough investigation.