The Yale expositor., 1914-01-08
DENSMORE PEACE
PLANS REJECTED
MINE OWNERS IN UPPER PENN
sULA REFUSE TO CONSIDER
SETTLEMENT.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM TO BE GAIN
ING STRENGTH.
Negotiations for Ending Great Copper
Strike Are Now All OFF and
Struggle Will Continue
to Finish.

Houghton, Mich-The latest and
most promising effort to end the great
strike of copper miners in the Upper
Peninsula came TO an unsuccessful
end Saturday. John b. Densmore, so
licitor of the department of labor, an
nounced that his efforts at concilia-
tion had failed.
He had been in the strike region
for several days and high hopes had
been entertained that he would accom-
plish the settlement Of the long and
bitter struggle.
Mr.. Densmore stated that he had
rendered TO the managers in the aft
ernoon a proposal from the federation
that the men would return to work
with the advantages already gained if
they could do so without discrimina-
ton, in other words an open shop"
proposition. The managers refused
this without qualification. Mr.. Dens-
more then went into conference with
Hilton and Taylor in the hope of ar
irving at some other scheme but with
out result. He wired the announce
ment OF the failure of his mission to
Secretary Wilson, and Governor Fer
ris at once.
Judge Hilton, speaking for the West
ern Federation, said at the close of the
conference: The Cancellation and set
tlement negotiations are all off. 1t is
now a fight to a finish
J. Z. Roach legislative agent for
the American Federation of Labor.
who is on the ground, said: lf Dens-
more has failed this strike Will not
be over eight months from now, un-
less the managers yield sooner
have interviewed the local unions and
find them contented with the mainten-
ance being given them by the West
ern Federation
DensmCTe blames the uncomprOmis-
ing attitude of the mine owners for
the failure of his mission.
The mine managers refuse to dis
cuss Densmore's plans or the terms on
which they are willing to settle with
the men. They will not settle in any
manner with the Western Federation
of Miners or treat with Densmore on
any plan or terms brought them from
the federation.
The companies take the stand that
the strike is off, and that the only
matter remaining to be settled is what
is to be done with the idle men, those
who will not return to work and who,
the companies claim, do not number
more than 1000 to $500
Congressman w. ]. Macdonald
seems to have met with as little sue
! cess on his mission into the copper
district as has the representative of
the department of labor. Macdonald
has returned to Washington.
Macdonald said that he still be-
lieves a congressional investigation
of the strike and conditions here
would prove a help to both factions
and that it would serve greatly to en-
tighten the outside world on the facts
of the situation. He is expected to
join the forces with the other men,
bers of the lower houses who favor a
congressional investigation.
At Ahmeek the Federation posted
notices to the effect that all non-union
men who do not become members of
the Federation by February will not
be given an opportunity to do So The
Federation officers are telling the
strikers that the strike is nearly won,
and that they surely will win If they
hold out for a short time longer. The
Federation continues to pay benefits,
but has not as large amounts Of mon
ey coming in from outside labor or
CARNATIONS as two months ago.