The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-06-25
Announcement, That President
Of Federation Intends to
Come Back TO City Creates
Sensation There Today
HIS LIFE IN | DANGER
Believed That He Would Run
Great Risk II He Returned
Without PrOteCtiOn-.tO Rid
Union Of !. ". ". Leaders

Butte, Mont, June 25.-The an
nouncement in Helena last night of
President Meyer, of the Western Fed
Grafton Of Miners, that he intended to
return to Butte, caused a sensation
here today when citizens read the in
terview.
Men connected with the proposed
vigilants openly said that if Meyer re-
turned to Butte without protection,
his life would be in danger. They said
if Meyer appeared here, or attempted
TO assert the jurisdiction Of the West
ern Federation, that certain men, con-
nected with the insurgents, of the old
union would again resort to armed re-
sstance.
President Mcdonald said he intend
ed to rid the new independent union
of miners of the Industrial Workers
of the World. The vice president and
secretary treasurer of the new union
are said To be members of the Indus
trial Workers of the World.
The names of $50 out of the 5000
metal miners in Butte were on the
organized to combat the Western Fed
Grafton. when the roster was re-opened
for signatures today. President Nc
Donald said he was pleased with the
manner in which the miners are join
ing the new union.
a heavy rain last evening caused
many to leave the streets early. but
haf he. a q h.
in front of the Miners hall, which was
wrecked by dynamite Tuesday, was
crowded. Citizens who are urging the
organization of vigiants for the stated
purpose of protecting their homes and
other property. are scheduled to meet
this afternoon.
Mayor Fears ReprisaIs.
Mayor Duncan fears reprsals be-
tween the two factions of the once
powerful union Of the Western FEEDER
alton of Miners.
Citizens look to Governor Stewart at
Helena for a solution of the trouble.
Charles II. Meyer president of the
Western Federation and others who
were driven from the Miners union
hall under fire APPEALED to the govern
or at Helena for state control at
Butte.
Mayor Duncan said he would not
ask for troops, as he believed that was
part of the sheriffs duties. The sher-
if has taken no action toward that
end.
The mines worked as usual and so
far the operating companies have not
been brought into the controversy.
Altogether, 2jO pounds of dynamite
was exploded in the streets of Butte
last night in four hours. The dyna-
mite was obtained by the rioters from
the West Stewart mine after the en-
gineer had been forced to lower the
rioters TO the powder magazine at tho
l ,O0O-foot level. Three trips were
made to the mine and five boxes. each
containing fifty pounds, were taken.
Heavy Charge Of Dynamite.
At one time, men in charge of the
dynamiting exploded so sticks from
one fuse The report was deafening
and shook buildings more than a mile
away. one man stood in the middle
of the street in front of the Miners
union hall. cut holes in sticks. insert
ed caps and fuses and then tossed the
dynamite into the building. Pistol
shots warned the crowds in the streets
to fall back when the fuses were
lighted.
President Michael Mcdonald of the
new Butte Mine Workers union, who
took a prominent part in the restora-
tion of order. said:
81 don't care TO make an official
which would i'm any way
trace the blame for all of the occur
rences. 1t was not done with our
knowledge or consent. We would not
have any trouble start for the world
and IL was not in our power to prevent
Il.
"The first shot was fired by the
Western Federationists. They started
the whole thing"
Dynamiting did not cease until af-
ter night. More than n score of blasts
were exploded and the Federation hall
was practically demolished, the walls
in front and back having been blown
out and the roof caved To the ground.
H-l.