The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-03-02
POSITION OF THE
Mine MANAGERS
Their Attitude Is Outlined by At.
torney A. s. Rees
Continued From First Page.

ed by business men il December ais,
was given attention. Despite the ef-
forts Of this body, Attorney Rces, "thC
business mon found that the strikers
were ordered not to meet them, that
they would have to sacrifice their
strike benefits if they were seen talk
ing to any Of the committee men. II
was also found that the same penalty
would be inflicted if they talked with
bosses.
Along in December ii looked as If
We would succeed i'm conciliating with
the men on strike" continued Mr..
Rees. But they were again promis-
ed impossible things, that the gov.
eminent would take over the mines
and that none but members OF the
| Federation would be given work. Then
came the disaster. That awakened
| sympathies and within two hours
meetings were being held, Offering
sympathy and financial aid to the dis
tressed. Everything was done to show
n desire to help. Before the accident
was an hour old the press of the
country was telling the statement
made by Meyer that he had refused
the sympathy and aid. The next day
the relief committees were appointed.
Women covered the district i'm an eff
fort 10 assist the relatives of the peo-
pie who lost their lives. Everywhere
they met with the statement of Moyer.
That was where Meyer lost great
opportunity. Citizens. businessmen
and everyone was willing to say EN-
nifty is gone; the strike is forgotten
If Meyer had come across at that
time and said, we will forget the
strike and join in one common effort
to alleviate the sufferings' believe the
strike would have been settled that
day.
Instead of that the agtators pic
tured in most lurid terms the Citizens
Alliance as being responsible for the
catastrophe and this aroused hatred tn
such an extent that it became intense
A committee waited on Meyer, asking
that he permit the strikers To accept
the relief. After refusing TO permit
this. and turning them away with the
statements that he would not let them,
Meyer vas dcported. The only express
sion of sentiment among people of
all classes was one of regret that they
We're not there 10 help
At this point. Attorney Rees added
that he had concluded his statement
and that the remainder of the morning
session would be occupied with the
Introduction of documentary evidence
Before concluding, however, Mr. Rees
said:
Attitude of the Companies.
IF this committee were jurors and
If we were trying case we would
rest for lack of evidence, believing
that there has been shown "a lack o.
conditions and grievances sufficient to
Justify Il strike or anything else, but
il is our desire that the committee
have all the facts"
Attorney Rees presented general !
statement i'm which he referred to the |
attitude Of the companies toward the !
committee. He said:
I'VE have been named in the press !
and in other various ways as the other
side, defendants and respondents We !
do not feel this attitude should Dr.
placed before the committee. The /
committee is here not of its own I,
volition but to investigate the situa-
ton with reference To the subject; il |
is here as Investigators and not u jury |
TO determine questions, but To be able |
To ascertain the facts from either so
called side. In that attitude we de-
sire to lee placed, not rs defendants or
not as one side against |
another, but to assist the committee
in developing and showing fact. We
look upon the committee as inquisitors
and chccrrully we offer every oppor-
tunity they may desire"
Attorney Rees related incidents con-
nectcd with the history Of copper
mining from lS47 TO the present day,
He told Of the Calumet & Hocla's con-
1ection with the Superior mine and
Df various other properties. In reply
ing 10 a question of Chairman Taylor
he said that all mines are owned by
American capital and that the only
controlled by foreign capital.
TO his knowledge, was the old Belt
mine. With the aid oe a map, Attor-
ney Rees told the committee Of all of
the mines in the district, including TIE
producers as well as non producers.
Referring to the Calumet q Hecla,
Mr.. Rces added that while the upper
levels contained copper that averaged
from so 10 100 pounds to the ton, the
average i'm the lower levels is only
about 80 pounds and the average OF
the entire district is 10 pounds, COM
pared with so or more pounds in the
western mining companies. lie said
III mining We're done i'm the same
way with the same expense as ten or
fifteen years ago without improved ef-
'iciency and the lessening Of cost,
nearly all of the mines would have
gone out of existence
He spoke Of the relation between
INC employc and employer and of the ,
good will and feeling which exist be-
tween both He said il is the sent