The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-04-16
BIG COPPER STRIKE
IS DECLARED OFF
Miners Return to Work in
,"t as Michigan. " '''H" IS
COST WORKERS 100000
Charles n. Meyer, Head Of w. r. Of
M, and Other officials Must Stand
TriaI-Jobs Filled by
Outsiders.

Hancock, Mich, April 1.-THE cop,
! per mine workers who have been on
strike since July % voted to call off
the strike, according to an announce
trict secretary of the Western Fedora.
tioin Of Miners. The figures will not
be given out until after a meeting OF
the district board.
1t is unofficially reported that the
majority in favor of calling off the
strike was 1912, The unofficial vote
from four Of the five locals in the dis
trict resulted as follows: Ahmeek, 900
for returning to work and II against
Calumet, 291 for and 3S2 against; Han
cock. 491 for and IS against; South
Range. 4S5 for and 80 against.
Recognition Is Waived.
Recognition of the union denied by
the mining companies is waived by the
strikers in voting to return to work.
They claim that practically air of their
other demands have been granted
since the strike began. These demands
included better working conditions, an
eight-hour day and a minimum daily
wage of three dollars.
From the outset the operators have
declared that they would never recog-
nize the Western Federation of Mi
ners, although they do not question
the right Of their employees to organ
lie. Several thousand men have been
imported to fill the strikers places and
the companies will be hard pressed to
find work for the returning strikers.
Many Returned to Work.
When the strike began, the union
claimed that approximately 10000 men
were out. Since that time many OF
these have returned 10 work and 9th
ers have moved away from the copper
district. The latest estimate of the
number on strike, made by Secretary
Hietela, was about six thousand. The
mining company estimates were much
smaller
The strike has been attended by
considerable violence and there has
been some loss of life. The National
Guard was ordered out In the early
days of the struggle to assist the civil
authorities In preserving order. There
has been no disorder of any cOnse-
quenCe for several months.
Hietela said the strike had cost the
union more than one million dollars.
Strikers who cannot get work and
their families will be aided by the fed
Grafton, it was announced Those who
wish to go elsewhere will be provided
with money.
Mining company officials said that
no strikers would be taken back until
they had renowned their membership
in the Western Federation.
Men Must Stand Trial.
Houghton, Mich April 14.--Charles
Fl. Meyer and the 81 other officers and
members of the Western Federation of
Miners must stand trial under the in
dictment charging them with conspir-
acy in connection with their activities
in the copper miners strike.
Circuit Judge O'Brien denied a mo-
ton by attorneys for the federation for
a writ of abatement to quash the pro-
iceedings.
The attorneys charged that Gov.
Woodbridge n Ferris. by his presence
before it, had influenced the special
grand jury which brought the indict-
ment last January. Judge O'Brien said
this charge had not been sustained.
Miners Rush for Positions.
Calumet, Mich, April 14.-When it
became known that the strike was to
be called off there was rush of strik-
ers seeking employment at all the
Calumet G. Hecla mines. Many of them
we're put to work upon surrendering
their union cards. Others were prom
Used work at the first opportunity. The
operators announced to the applicants
that none of the imported men who
have been at work during the strike
would be dismissed, but said strikers
would be given preference over other
outsiders. ~
Meyer VIII Not Talk.
Denver, Colo, April 14.-Charles II,
Meyer. president of the Western Fed.
Grafton of Miners, said:
Il do not believe an announcement
Of the future policy of the federation
would be advisable at this time. ex.
pect to prepare statement as soon as
/ receive official advices from our rep
resentatlves in Michigan as to the out.
come of yesterdays referendum"
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