The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-02-12

Almost at the opening Of this after
Moons session Of the congressional in
quiry into the strike Chairman Tay-
lpr declined, for the time being. to pass
upon the question Of whether or not
the Western Federation of Miners is
20 be investigated to the same extent
that the mining comPanics are being
investigated
Patrick Dunnigan of Ahmeek. who
had been on the stand during tho
morning, was witness at the open
ing of the afternoon session. lie had
stated that 80 per cent Of the under
ground workers OF the KeweenaW
county mines were members of the
Western Federation Of Miners before
the inception of the strike. ON cross
examination Mr. Pctcrmann asked
him:
You say that 90 per cent of the un-
derground workers of the Kcweenaw
county mines were in the union be-
core the strike was calied?"
Dunnigan answered
NO per cent or nOthn.' The bosses
were in it even before | joined"
Did YOU see the books"
81 saw the applications"
Are you one of the ohiCers?'
NO, but --"
Mr. Kerr here offered an objection.
lie said that he could not see that the
internal workings of an organization
of workngmen are 4 III subject for
inquiry in an investigation OF this kind
Mr.. Peterman said:
"Are YOU not willing, Mr.. Kerr, to
let me learn how many men Joined the
union after the strike''
Mr.. Kerr answered that he did not
object to that, but did object to an
inquiry as to the unions methods Of
taking in members.
Mr.. Pctermann explained to Chair
man Taylor that his object was to
learn whether or not Dunnisan was in
a position to speak with authority
when making his statements about
the membership of the union.
Chairman Taylor permitted the in
quiry to proceed.
Mr.. Petermann continued with his
questioning and Dunningan adhered
10 his position, qualifying his figures
somewhat by saying that the union
had well over a majority" This con-
cluded Dunnigan's testimony.
At this point, Mr. Rees arose and
made this statement:
Il want to ask, in view of what has
just passed, is there to be excluded
from this investigation, in which the
mining companies are being made tho
object OF so much detailed inquiry, an
investigation of the Western Fedora
ton of Miners" ! do not ask for an
immediate answer
Chairman TAYLOR said:
81 would like to defer passing ON
that till the other members of the
committee arc here. We want to
make a thorough and complete inves-
tieation, hut as we have not as yet ar
rived at that point ! believe it would
be safe for us to cross that bridge
when We come TO IL. Il that is agree
able 20 YOU
Mr.. Rees said that he was satisfied
TO have ruling later and the inquiry
continued.
Mr.. Kerr announced that agreeable
to the wishes of tho committee he
would read into the record extracts
from Michigan statutes. He first read
Sec. 146 of Act No. 172 Of 1911, and
then Act numbered ts of 1909. which
relate To- the Michigan National
Guard.
Frequent objections by attorneys for
the mining companies to evidcn''
which the Western Federation of Min
ers sought to introduce and conditions
at the Ahmeek mine as presented by
Patrick Dunnigan occupied the morn
ing session.
Counsel Hilton FOR the federation at
tempted ia introduce excerpts from
newspaper articles purporting to he al
account III lnt lllNNSNAStiNi'll w '''N
strike by Walter Il. Palmer of the fed
Grad department of labor. Objection
was raised to this by Attorney Rces.
which was sustained by Chairman
Taylor. who explained that he had -
egraphed FOR an official copy of the re-
port.
Attorney Kerr FOR the federation
asked to he permitted Co introduce a
newspaper account Of Judge Albert J..
Murphy's Investigation. Objection also
was raised to this and the chair eN-
pressed view that more authentic,
and II possible the original report nc
secured. Chairman Taylor read let
ter he had received from the governor
relative to Judge Murphy's report In
which the state executive said he could