The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-08


the fact that the copper companies,
through their managers. are not op-
posed to union labor, but that they arc
opposed to organizations that viii not
consider capital and labor as partners
and preach class hatred; and that they
are opposed 10 the Western Federation
Of Miners
Through Allan f.. Rees attorney for
the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. the
operators told the governor that tho
only manner in which "a settlement
can be effected is tho return Of men
to work after discarding their union
books and declaring against the West
orn Federation
The governor AT tho beginning VI
today's proceedings requested tina:
some one who could officially represent
all of the companies speak for tho
operators Allan +. Rees arose and
presented the companies stand II,
explained why arbitration ana media
tion had been rejected and made clear
the attitude of the operators
The governor said ne hoped for tho
freest and frankest statements Of the
truth that they may be made known
TO the world, as the strike is a matte!
IF worldwide attention
No Grievances Stated.
Mr.. Rces began his statement with
the information relative 20 receiving
letters signed by tho president ana
secretary Of the district union Of the
Western Federation of Miners. H.
said the letter contained no grievances
ana they merely asked for a confer
,ncc with the management. Each man
agement. with no consultation. under
took to ascertain if tho officers of the
Western Federation Of Miners werc
justified m representing their employees
In one instance. census prior to thu
calling Of the strike. TO ascertain
whether or not the majority were
members of the Federation, showed
III were members and that approx
imately 1900 were not
1t was ascertained chat less than -
per cent of the employees were mem
bers of the Federation and therefore
the companies claimcl that IN. West
ern Federation of Miners was not Jus.
titled i'm its demand for a conference.
and in consequence lao reply was made
TO the letters.
ON the day tho strike was called, TN"
mines, with exception Of a few. worked
the entire shift. and when the night
shift men We're reporting for duty, |
rioting took place. Union men sue
oecded IN driving employees from TN"
mines and putting a stop 10 all work !
even pumping. Shortly after these out
breaks the Michigan National Guard /
arrived and this ended the rioting cN-
cept in very few cases.
Resumption Of Work,
Mr.. Rees praised tha troops aud GEN /
cral Abbey, both tor their conduct and I
efficiency. Under their protection |
work was resumed.
The Calumet 4 Hecla early in Aug !
ust had undertaken 10 resume work !
and as rapidly as preparation could D"
made men We're given employment 4
meeting of employees was held later ana /
a request made on the company TO re
sumo work. Operations were resumed /
and within a snort time - per cent ot /
the old EMPLOYEES were hack again.
other mines resumed somewhat uu /
a smaller scale while others made mo- 1
tu operate. The contention /
that the Federation never was just- /
fed i'm representing employees VAS con- /
firmed The position was maintained /
that the operators would have uothiug
TO do with the federation.
Efforts for Cancellation with striking |
employees were frequent, according ;n I
Nh. RcoS. although the company had |
never been informed Of any grievances. /
When Judge Murphy arrived ne was
told that under no circumstances /
would they treat with the Federation /
They told him what they would do for
the men if they preferred 10 work |.
The sole condition was that they re-
turn as men not affiliated with tho
federation. They told him that tho
eight hour shift had been under con-
sideration and that any grievance
would be given consideration II was
explained that the minimum wage
could not be considered as the low
grade Of rock and otler contngcncics
made a minimum vagc or an incrcas"
in wages impossible Among other
things they asked Judge Murphy 60
make comparisons with conditions
elsewhere.
Efforts 70 Coneiiate.
Mr.. Rees referred o. the commercial
clubs investigation and efforts to con-
ciliate by various other sources, but
said nothing resulted from them. The