Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-06
Wide Investigation to be
Undertaken by Commits
sion at Once.
BIG STRIKES INCLUDED
Governor Ferris Enters Upon
Task of Trying to Settle
Copper Mine Troubles.

! Washington, Jan. Ga nationwide
to be Immediately undertaken by the
federal commission on industrial re-
| lations. This is the decision reached
/ following a five-days' executive ses-
sion. The first step will be the dis
patch of expert investigators to the
Calumet, Mich, and Colorado strike
districts.
Past disturbances at Paterson, N J.,
Lawrence, Mass, and Los Angeles are
also to be investigated.
Special agents will report results
of the investigation to the commits
sion Feb. >, and the commission prob
ably will later conduct hearings. The
commission adopted resolution stat
ing it "has no power to act as board
of conciliation or mediation in labor
disputes or interfere in any manner
with the attempted settlement of such
controversies
Samuel Gompers denied any meet
ing of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor was
contemplated to take up the Calumet
strike At the regular meeting Jan.
10, the council will discuss the situa-
ton. but Gompers said he saw moth
ing yet for further action than the
federation had already taken.
Ferris on Trouble Scene.
Calumet, Mich. Jan. 6.-Governor
Ferris today began AN investigation
of the copper miners strike, which he
~
Should he fail to bring a settlement
the governor said he would make pub
lie the situation as he sees it. Today
Ferris will confer with sheriffs, pros
ecuting attorneys and supervisors OF
Houghton and Keweenaw counties.
Tomorrow and Thursday he will hear
the statements of the miners leaders
and mine owners and operators. The
hearings will be open to the public.
is Governors Birthday.
Houghton, Mich, Jan. 6.-Goverror
Ferris celebrated his 61st birthday to-
day by plunging into the task of un-
raveIing the copper strike tanSle. He
visited Sheriff Cruise of Houghton
county at the latter's home because |
the sheriff was too i'll to leave his bed. |
Other officials having to do with the |
of law and order in this 1
and Keweenaw county, came to the |
room. After Jney were |
questioned Ferris received represen-
of the mining companies and !
the Western Federation of Miners and
business men and citizens generally.
Union leaders came by formal appoint
ment. Chief Counsel Hilton of the
ont !
Taylor of the Michigan Federation of
Labor asked in a letter 10 the go
ernor that he appoint a time to re-
ceive them and local labor leaders.
Sheriff Tells of "Gunmen."
There were only four so-caIled gun
men, in the .county's employment was
he answer of Sheriff Cruise to the 1
inquiry. These are held
lere under bonds of $4,000 in conn &C.
ion with the Seaberville murder
.ases. They are not in active service,
he sheriff said. The largest number
lie had 1T any one time was 81 and the
argest number of legally qualified
,aid deputies ne has had is the pres
mt force of % He said there was !
bout 1000 others throughout the
ountry paid by the companies but as
hey were appointed by sheriff, they
rere unoer his control.
Meyer Incident Worst.
" any of the companies were en- :
loying ''gunmen," the sheriff said. he
'as ignorant of the fact About 80 of c
ne company deputies are former ma [
onal Cuardsmen. The governor said v
ersonally he was sorry gunner q
ere brought into the district, but the c
lost unfortunate episode of the entire a
trike was the "Moyer incident" He 0
xplained his purpose in making in
uiries was 10 learn the truth or falls l
Y of a charge of union leaders of d
ansing, that the county was in con- II
ol of 'gunmen" and that the sherif
as unable to handle the situation 5
Friction Between Officials.
That there has been friction be- n
veen Sheriff Eping and Prosecutor d
amilton of Keweenaw county was r,
ought out when the prosecutor stated +,
: was never consulted on any strike h
after, and no cases arising from ar
SITS had been called to his attention.
he governor drew out that after Jan. c
!. troops might be sent home Sup d
intendent Smith of the Ahmeek s.
inc. and who is a member of the u
unity board, thought they could cope u
til the situation by that date il