The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-01-08
MINE OWNERS BLAMED BY
III DENSMORE AND UNION MEN

III
Calumet. Mich. Jan. 6.-Facing an
other investigation of the strike situa-
ton, this time at the hands of the gov
ernor OF the state company managers
and Western Federation of Miners
leaders today %preparty to open up every
avenue of information which the state
executive may desire to explore. At the
same line both sides to the contro-
yersy were dubious rs to the ability of
Governor Ferris and State Labor Com
missioner Cunningham to find any
lasting solution Of the trouble.
The most general opinion was signs
of further activity in federal circles,
especially in regard to deportation of
Charles ii. Meyer. president of the
federation, were responsible for the
governors determination to visit the
district. 1t was pointed out that the
governor spurned every invitation to
come here when the strike started last
July and had manifested little attention
since of projecting his personality in
TO the situation. Some union sources
IN fact said that the time he could
ave accomplished anything toward
the settling the strike lar passed long
ago. At least one phase of the con-
ecutive to work on. John B. Densmore
or-the federal department Of labor
failed to end the strike after he had
learned how far the union would go
al then had tried to persuade the
companies to meet *. SO far as could
De learned the employers have never
asked officially 10 give their last
word" and ting governor may find soma
u~nsuspected field for effort in that
quarter.
Those who advanced this thought.
however, were willing to concede IL,
the next breath that there was little
Ilkel1hood OF the employers receding
from their stand hat only men who
would renounce all affiliation with the
union would be received as workmen.
The governor will arrive in the strike
zone but a few hours after the depar-
lure last night of John B.. Densmore,
solicitor for the department of labor,
who returned to Washington after fail
ing to bring together the opposing in
terests. According to information re-
ee1ved here, Governor Ferris started
Tor the copper country early today
from his home in Big Rapids.
When he arrives here tonight 1t is ex-
pected he will at once begin consulta-
lions with the labor leaders and mine
operators. For some time the governor
mas been urged to make an investiga-
llon OF the strike and conditions which
caused 1t.
The rock hat split the negotiations
ana shattered hopes of peace was the
question of recognition of the union.
according to Mr.. Densmore.
IN a nutshell, the question was
whether the union men should go back
TO work with or without discrimina-
tlon-the companies refused to do any
thing but discriminate against mem
bers of the union Mr.. Densmore said.
IT means a struggle to the bitter
end. said O. n. Hilton. chief counsel of
the Western Federation of Miners. who
mas represented President c.. II. Meyer
mere since the latter's deportation. THE
outcome is due entirely to the atti-
tud of the companies. They wanted
everything n would concede nothing.
Inc unions last word was an offer to
Withdraw the Western Federation from
the field, its place to be taken by a
union to be affiliated with the Michi-
gan State Federation of Labor, the
United Mine Workers or similar body.
mis- was rejected by the companies"
The employing interests suggested to
Mr.. Densmore that a secret vote of the
men on strike, if properly safeguarded,
would show a majority of them in ia
Tor of returning to work outside the
union fold. When this w-s preached
70 the federation men there was an
immediate declination to submit the
case to any such test.