The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-29
Mine STRIKE INQUIRY
UNFAIR, SAYS SHAW
Head Of Calumet and Hecla Co.
Asserts 1900 MalcOntents
Misled Congress.
200 BACK OPERATORS
Brands Western Federation as
meters Of Disorder
and Violence.

The following statement was sen, out
las, night on behalf OF Quincy A. Shaw
president Of tho Calumet and Hecla Min
ing Company, respecting the proposed
Congressional inquiry into the Michigan
copper strike
II regret and resent the Congressional
resolution directing an investigation of the
Michigan copper strike. I regret /, be-
cause Its only effect will be to prolong the
present semblance OF a strike until the
investigation IL concluded. l say SEM
blance because our mines are to-day EN-
ployine over 1000 men. as compared with
about 5000 just before the strike, and the
handful OF strikers vino remain are de-
lusively persuaded not to work for us
or any one else to their own continuing
loss and the injury OF their families.
We will never recognise or deal with
the Western Federation OF Miners. not
because OF antasonlsm 10 labor organiza-
tons as such. but because We cannot in
justice TO ourselves, our men or the COM
munity. deal with an organization possess
Ing an established reputation for melting
disorder, dissenslon and violence
Backed by 1900 Miners.
AT tho very time when 800 strikers
were relying on the political Influence Of
the American Federation Of Labor to
force this inquiry against the Law and the
facts 1000 miners and 10000 Inhabitants
OF tho copper country have been and are
petitioning the operators not 10 recognize
tho Western Federation or even employ
its members and thus permit II TO become
a permanent menace to the hitherto uiidis-
turbed peace and prosperity OF that COM
munity.
Il resent the inquiry. not because my
~ s.sA
afford every facility 20 get the facts but
because the terms OF the direction which
Congress gives In the resolution arc un-
fairly aimed at one side OF the controversy
and exclude from any form OF allegation
or investigation the notorious disorders
and bloodshed inspired by the leaders of
the strike and directly presented to the
Department OF Labor In the gravest terms
BY the findings Of the by no means impair
tial ex.union officials who spent many
weeks inQuir!ng into this very condition
and whose report TO the Secretary OF
Labor has never been read by the Con-
gress which directs this repetition Of the
Departments inquiry.
IT resent ii further because OF the sub
terfuge by which conditions never alleged
by our bitterest critics have been delib-
erately pleaded TO give the sembarce Of
q Federal question.
Courts COmpetent 10 Decuue.
NO charge has been made which the
courts are not competent 10 investigate.
No court OF the State or OF the United
states has been closed. No man. striker
or strike leader, has charged violation
OF his rights OF Federal citizenship In a
court OF the United States to Federal
District Attorney or the Department OF
Justice. No one has dared to prefer In
those appropriate places n single one OF
these charges. Now Congress proposes TO
abandon Its functions as a legislative body
and investigate them as a Grand Jury.
Competent lawyers Of tho Democratic
Rules Committee could find no Federal
question, but a power greater than rea-
son forces BY telegraphic appeal and per-
sonal solicitation the conduct OF an In
vestigation which the judgment OF the
leaders of the Democratic House, eX-
pressed In the debate upon this resolu-
ton. rejected.
We have nothing to conceal. We shall
give to the committee every facility TO
ascertain every fact. but We nope in the
interest of justice and fair play that this
committee will so familiarize the Ameri-
can people with the character and
methods OF the Western Federation OF
Labor that they will understand why all
entire community of thousands OF citizens
petition the directors Of their basic in
dustry to exclude such an organization
from their midst