The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-01-07
COPPER STRIKE CONTINUES,

to end the strike Of copper miners by
Cancellation failed tonight. John 3.
Densmore of the department Of labor
SO announced after a final effort to
pring the warning interests together.
He did not hesitate to lay his failure
In settling the trouble on the uncom-
promising attitude Of the mine
owners.
The rock that shattered hopes of
peace was the question of recogni-
ton Of the union.
1T was a question whether the un-
ion man should go back to work with
or without discrimination. The COM
panies refused to do anything but dis
crlminate against members of the un-
ion," said Mr.. Densmore.
1T means struggle to the bitter
end" said o. n. Hilton, chief coun-
sci of the Western Federation Of
Miners, who had represented Presi-
dent c. II. Meyer here since the lat
ter's sudden departure. 1.-The out
4
come is due entirely to the attitude of
the companies. They wanted every
thing and would concede nothing"
The unions last word was an offer
TO withdraw the Western Federation
from the field. it's place to be taken
by a union affiliated with the Michi-
gan State Federation OF Labor. the
United Mine Workers or some similar
body This was rejected by the COM
paniss.
The employing interests suggested
to MIR. DensmOrc that q secret vote
OF men on strike. if properly safe
guarded, would show a majority Of
them in favor Of returning to work
outside of the union.
When this was broached to the fed
Grated men there was an immediate
refusal to submit the case to such a
test.
Results of negotiations were wired
to the secretary Of labor by Mr.. Dens-
more tonight. He said he would maze
full report Of his efforts after his
return to Washington He has set
his departure for tomorrow night
Statements by mine managers took
practically the same grounds for re-
fusal to treat with the union as that
issued In Boston tonight by the
executive heads OF the Calumet and
Hecla company.
1T was simply case Of asking us
to burden ourselves with an organiza-
ton whose history Is one OF violence"
said +. w. Denton Of the Copper
Range Consolidated company. "The
proposals that reached us were mere
subterfuges, did not touch the merits
OF the question and sought to force
us to recognize indirectly an organiza-
ton with which we will have nothing
TO do.
AS a mater Of fact we have. al
ready settled this strike. The :men
now working for US are entitled to
every possible consideration, and it
would have been unjust to them to
compromise them in any way. There
Is no doubt that constant trouble
would have resulted between the men.
This was condition which we could
not and would not overlook: Then
toe, anything less than elimination of
the Western Federation from the dis
trict would have meant that within
hve years IL not sooner. we should
have had all the work to do over
again. There was no doubt in our
minds that the first work Of the fed
Grafton members left in tho mines
would be to spread a propaganda OF
discomfort follow it up with a series
Of unreasonable demands and then
start another strike.
From every consideration Of hu-.
manity to our loyal employees, of .lf-
respect on our own part and OF good
sound business sense, we could do
iothiHS ciSc tlall uccllnc 10 De
buncoed by such alternative plans as
were brought to our attenti on.
Word OF the failure Of the negotia-
tions spread rapidly through the dis
trict. In company circles there was
no surprise. Among union leaders
there was manifest q strong feeling
OF Indignation against the companies.
Every possible resource Of the labor
world is to be called on for further
prosecution OF the strike, it was an
nOunced. Practically every local in
the country will be asked to con-
tribute a quota and strike leaders OF
experience are to be invited to aid
the strikers.
Efforts for congressional investi-
cation are to be renewed also
Union leaders said that. while the
rules committee Of the house had de-