The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-03-07

Congressman Taylor of Arkansas
and Casey OF Pennsy lvania, of the sub
committee investigating the strike,
came to Calumet this morning and az
the Calumet Light Guard armolN
opened a special inquisition into the
cause of the Italian hall fire panic in
Calumet on Christmas eve.
The testimony introduced by the es-
pecially selected witnesses failed 10
correspond with the bulk of the testi-
mony introduced at the coroner's in
quest.
The investigation, which closed at
o'clock this afternoon merely provided
an opportunity for the Western FEEDER.
alton of Miners to introduce into the
congressional record testimony tending
to bear out the horrible charge that
the Citizens Alliance was responsible
for the Italian hall panic. None of the
testimony directly refuting this, which
had been introduced at the inquest,
was available.
OF the testimony of siXty-hvc wit
nesses upon which the coroner's ver-
nesses, all that had been introduced at
the coroner's inquest involving a Citi-
zens Alliance button, was repeated on
the stand before the congressional in
Nestigation, as well as that of six or
seven additional witnesses who had not
testified at the inquest. Practically
none Of the testimony presented hy
,,.ftn a..
which proved that the cry of fire
which caused the panic came from
within the hail. was introduced.
During the noon recess, Congress
men Taylor and Casey visited the
Italian hail so that they might become
better acquainted with the surround
ings. The visit was largely Informal.
Pra ctically every one of the seven
teen witnesses heard at this mornings
hearing asserted that the alarm of fire
was first given by man who appear
ed at the doorway, wearing "Citi-
zens Alliance" button. OF this num-
ber. eleven were among the sixty FIVE
who testified at the inquest, those evil
IDENTIFY having been selected who had
told the story Of the Citizens Alliance
button at the inquest.
Perhaps the greatest discrepancy m
the testimony of the witnesses on the
stand this morning was the fact that
although more than a dozen witnesses
testified as to seeing the man who
gave the original alarm of fire. aud
were positive he wore Citizens Al
lance button, the description of this
man differed widely. Practically all OF
the witnesses said hc wore a lUn; coat,
but some Of them asserted it was but
toned tightly, while others claimed il
was opened. Some testified he did not
have fur collar, but Il high cloth col
lar, another asserting he had cordu-
roy collar Several witnesses declared
he wore a cloth cap, others equally
emphatic that he wore a derby hat or
Il sealshin cap.
Al the opening of the inqustiop.
Judge Taylor, who acted as chairman,
announced that the full committee had
reached an understanding that An-
thony Lucas. prosecuting attorney,
alone would be permitted To examine
witnesses. and that the committeeman
themselves would do all the question
ing. Counsel -. y. Hilton for the
federation. upon whose application the
committee undertook the investigation
of the Italian hall panic, objected II
this arrangement, announcing that he
had eleven witnesses to place upon the
stand who had testified at the inquest
and eight witnesses. who had not tes-
titled at that time, The investigation
proceeded along these lines however.
Counsel Hilton announcing that he
did not care to undertake the respon-
sibiity for the burden of proof with
this arrangement.
Mrs. Josephine Leskela testified that
she was standing near the middle OF
the hall with her four children when
the Christmas presents were benz
passed out near the stage. y man who
stood touching her i'm the crowd yelled.
Fire Fire" and Immediately started
toward the door. She said he wore
Citizens Alliance button ON his coat.
He was described as a large man with
large overcoat.
Mrs Louise Lesh testified she had
been stationed at the door of the llah
prior to the distribution of presents
and that when this began she went To
the stage To assist those engaged in the
distributions The witness testified she
distinctly heard the cry of FIRE flre
in English and "Natra, Natra, words
meaning the same thing in the AUS
trian language. She said IT seemed 10
her the calls I'm two languages came
from the same man. The witness tes-
titled the man wore a long coat WIN
high collar. She did not see his mus
tachc with this all the crowd rushed