United labor bulletin., 1914-02-28

When | was requested to visit the
northern peninsula of Michigan q short
time ago upon n mission for the Western
Federation OF Miners in connection with
their strike in the copper mines, little
did expect to find q situation as tense
as the one that prevails there. 1 have
been around sections where industrial
disturbances We're on and therefore had
some little insight as to conditions, but
my previous experience was discounted
by what l ran across up there.
The copper section of Michigan is in
the extreme northeastern portion of
that state, in q pocket formed by Lake
Superior and, naturally, is not as balmy
in February as the peninsula of Florida
But anyone who goes there expecting to
find cold weather has his expectations
more than fulfilled. The gentle breezes
from the old lake Just get a fine sweep
at you from all points of the compass,
and, coupled with the natural dampness,
the situation as to atmosphere can be
imagined more comfortably by the side
of a baseburner than elsewhere. While
] was there the thermometer never was
above below zero, and it ran down as
low as 40; but from 20 to 32 was the
regular run. Earmuffs, fur caps and
coats, arctics and such accessories were
in great demand. | saw no straw hats
or linen busters. And then it showed
a great deal, disproving our home theory
that when the thermometer gets around
zero it is too cold to snow. But, enough
of the climate; it makes ME shiver right
now.
Always Have Chaperons.
The minute one drops off the train
in that section he feels in the air the
tenseness of the situation, and you are
made aware, though not openly, that
you are under surveillance. / was chap
eroned to the hotel by several gentle-
men with stars on their breasts and
guns on their hips, one of whom prac-
tically took the register from my hands
to see who / was and from whence l
came. l had the same kind of company
during my entire stay, though L must
say that no one offered me violence, but
was freely invited to set forth the OBJ
ject of my visit and probable length of
my sojourn. Doubtless my docile facile
expression allayed suspicion and made
my wouldbe friends believe / was harm
less. Certain it is they are on the job
up there as to why you tar1y in their
midst.
Don't Want Investigation.
The congressional investigating COM
mittee had just started when / landed.
The chairman of the subcommittee Is
our own congressman, Edward T. Tay-
lor Of Glenwood Springs. With his
IIGnal fnr 11yorl- nd
ness he was right at work and had out
lined Il full and fair inquiry into the
causes of the trouble. While remained
they were bringing out much that re-
flected upon the past methods in vogue
there on the part of the copper kings
But as the public press carries the de-
tails L am going TO forego that part
OF it.
Congressman John j. Casey of Wilkes
barre, Pa. an official OF the Journey.
men Steamfitters, and an oldtime coal
miner, is second to Taylor, and if there
is anything that escapes John / failed
to observe it. Congressman Howell OF
Utah and Switzer OF Ohio We're the two
Republican members of the committee,
and did not seem to be en- rapport who'll
ly with the situation nor relish their
job. Another Democratic congressman,
Taylor OF Arkansas, had not arrived
before my departure, but he is now
there, and several little bitches in the
committee are nicely ironed out and
things moving along smoothly.
Are Peeved About It.
The citizens OF that section did not
take kindly to the visit of the commit
tee and the papers of the district, all
owned by the copper magnates, We're
filled with little slaps and veiled slurs.
They all seemed to take the position
that Congress had no business to open
up their kettle of fish, and that what