The Calumet news., 1914-02-14
ATTORNEYS FOR OPERATORS DEMAND
that SOCIALISM IN THE STRIKE Be
INVESTIGATED BY FEDERAL PROBERS
Bitter Debate Between Counsel Features Today's
Session Of Congressional Committees Inquiry
Into the "Strike".. to Know the Facts
Is Stated by Chairman Taylor.

Mention Of Socialism in today's ses-
sion Of the congressional inquiry
At Hancock into the copper strike
brought forth bitter debate and caustlc
comment from counsel Of both sides Of
the controversy and drew forth the
remark from Federation Attorney An
gus W. Kerr that Il would rather be
member Of the Socialist party than the
Citizens Alliance"
At this point, voice from the ad-
dience said:
That's all right, Kerr, that's where
you belong"
The debate occupied the greater part
of the morning session and led to the
declaration by Attorney 4. T.. Rees tn At
it was the purpose 10 show that So
cialism represents the biggest part OF
the strike.
Attorney Kerr objected with the as
sertion that the purpose Of the inquiry,
and the nature of question of the coun-
sci for the operators, seemed To charge
that this is a Socialist strike instead Of
a union strike. He added that the de-
mands were made by a labor organ
ization and not by a Socialist organ
ization.
Attorney Rees replied;
THE Western Federation of Miners
is Socialistic i'm its name and record
1t has Socialistic tendencies because It
is made up largely of Socialists, if
they are not a majority, and as we
are To he investigated we have the le-
gal right to ask. and the committee
should insist, that the Socialist part II
this should be investigated"
Replying to Mr.. Rees. Attorney Kerr
said that the constitution of the West
ern Federation and it's bylaws should
be introduced into the records He
attacked the line of testimony in the
discrimination and asked:
is it fair to prove the Western Fed
Grafton Of Miners has Sociaustic ten
denotes and aims because in Hancock
there exists Socialist society"
Attorney Rees again arose.
I'VE say that the Western Federation
cies. We say further as a matter #
proof that the Western Federation of
Miners in the copper country is ma le
up Of Socialists"
He was interrupted by Attorney
Kerr who heatedly asked:
Does the counsel claim that all are
Socialists"
Continuing he said that at the in
ception of the strike the operators
made no such claim. After they failed
i'm every thing their last resort was the
phrase, Red Socialism"
Congressman Switzer asked Mr.. Kerr
if there is anything degrading i'm O.
man being Socialist. The answer
was in the negative, Attorney Kerr
stating that the subject had no place
in the investigation and that the oper-
ators were introducing it for the rur-
pose of making it one of the issues.
Congressman Switzer responded:
we have been told that the Social
ist party is one of the causes of the
strike"
Attorney Kerr replied:
III the counsel can show up writ
ten statement from the national So
cialist party that it has had any part
i'm this strike we will submit this in
the record"
Attorney Petermann then took up
the controversy. He said:
would YOU say that it was not the
Socialist organizations that contri-
buted to this strikc?"
Mr. Kerrs reply in substance was
that any man should contribute To- it.
Attorney Lawton at this point told
the committee of the red flag incident
in Hancock six years ago. lie said
at that time Attorney Kerr assisted
i'm Hancock six years ago. He said
this same organization has gone on.
lie referred to another red flag Incl
dent i'm connection with the Western
Federation Of Miners parade I'm Gold
field, Nevada, i'm which the red en-
blem was conspicuously displayed
At this point Kerr jumped to his.
feet and said: "If you want any COM
ldi ilSVH btNNftI Alit s-p'iAl4sAS bUh
Citizens Alliance give me the Social
lists"
Significant Statement by Chair.
At the conclusion OF the argu-
ment the chair asserted if there
was any such organization whlcN
planned to overthrow the government
or the system of government, we have
a right to know"
This debate followed the testimony
of John Jauhainen, quincy striker,
the first witness To take the stand. His
grievances were the lack of ventila-
tion underground and the hard work
Of tramming. He said he pushed cars
with his shoulders until the skin was
wcrn from them. He worked for five