Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-10
Strike Breakers Taken to
Michigan Mines at Point
of Pistol.
HECLA PROFITS LARGE
Government investigators Re-
port Finds After Visit to
Copper Region.

NaSnluElO Jan. 1O-fIOIlIS OIL IilO
Calumet and Hecla company, which
employs more than fifty per cent of
the miners IN the Michigan copper dis
trict, were characterized as extreme
ly large" In a report on the copper
strike submitted to Secretary Wilson
by Walter B. Palmer. investigator for
the department of labor.
Palmer reported the general average
days wages paid by all companies
throughout the year was s2.59. Some
of the smaller companies were operat-
ing at a loss. Prior to the present
strike he found the general workday
was of 10 to IL hours and some miners
were paid as low as s2.35 a shift.
Some other classes of labor are paid
as low as So per day.
A summary of the report of the de-
partment of labor's investigators,
Palmer, Densmore and Moffitt de-
clares strike breakers were imported
into the copper region by misrepre-
sentations; that some were taken to
the mines at the point of pistols; that
strike breakers were wounded by fire
arms in the hands of armed guards,
but no evidence was found of officers
being injured by strikers.
Enormous Earnings.
1t is pointed out that while many
smaller companies are operating at a
loss the Calumet and Hecla had lex
tremely large profits" With an au-
thorized capital of $2,500,000, of which
81 200, 600 is paid in, the report de-
clares that since 1871 the company has
paid S121, 100000 in dividends and re-
invested $75,000,00O in its property. It
pays wages for 10 to IL hours a day,
from $2S9 to 1882, with an
average of $3.2S, while the average
day wages of other companies is $274.
The report also points out the well
fare work the company conducts for
employees, such as hospitals, pension
fund, etc.
Secretary Wilson declined to say
what the next step would be. but in
.imated the finding might be made
he basis of a proposed congressional
Investigation. -
Meyer Resumes Charge of Strike.
Calumet, Mich, Jan. 10.-The return
If President Meyer to the copper coun-
ry has caused little excitement in
he district, although he is being
guarded closely by r. r. Mackenzie,
member of the executive committee
f the Western Federation of Miners.
after a short tour OF a part OF the
mining district he appeared at meet
ng of strikers in Kansankoti hall.
here he made short address.
fn foIy rha Of n
trlke in the copper &C untry because
nder the laws of Michigan and the
onstitution of the United States I
ave right to-" he told the 1.200 min
rs who packed the hall in Hancock.
/ am with you and will fight for you
, the end.
1.-THE persons who attacked me and
hot me in the back committed a crime
,r which they should be punished IL
lere be any law in Michigan. Had
ny members OF the Western Fedora
on OF Miners done as those RESPONSE
lie for my going away from here. !
ould have expected they would have
nswered to the law. Now / expect
ley that are responsible will be called
answer for their crime"
Moyer said he had wired Governor
erris TO get the contestants together
suggested in the governors state
ents.
AffidavIts Bring Arrests.
New York, Jan. 10.-Two arrests
ere made here on information fur
shed by detectives employed by cop
IT mine owners to investigate alleged
lse affidavits obtained here from So
lied thugs, who said they were en-
-ged to work on the scene OF the
rike in Michigan.
The prisoners. William Martin and
iarles Smith. 1t is charged, were en-
Dyed by the Western Federation OF
iners to buy affidavits OF thugs of
sw York for sums ranging from $3.50
SO. Examination was postponed
d they were paroled in the custody
counsel.
Must Tell Of Strike.
Boston, Mass. Jan 10-Constitu-
'nality OF statute which compels
nployers advertising for help during
Dor troubles to state in the adver-
'ements that strike exists, was
held by the full bench OF the su-
eme court today.
Bryan In Detroit.
Detroit, Mich, Jan. 10--Secretary OF