Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-01-10

of the department of labor's investi-
cation of the Michigan copper strike,
made public here today, declares the
strike breakers were imported into
the copper region by misrepresenta-
tions; that some were taken to the
mines at the point Of pistols; that
strikers were wounded by firearms
In the hands of armed guards, but
that no evidence was found of Off
GERS being injured by the strikers.
It1was pointed out that while many
Of the smaller copper mining com
panies in the region were operating
at a loss, the Calumer and Hecla
company, which employs more than
SO per cent of the men in the region,
had had extremely large profits.
With an authorized capital Of $780,
600, Of which $1,2OO,OOO was paid in,
the report declares that since 1871
the company had paid $121, ,050, COO in
dividends and reinvested $4,000, 900
in its property 1t pays wages for
a ten to eleven hour day, ranging
from $3.50 to $3.50, and with an ave
rage of 1928, while the average day
wage of the other companies is S2.74.
The report also points out the welfare
work the company conducts for its
employees, such as hospitals, PEN
sion fund and the like. The report
was made on the Investigations of
Walter B. Palmer, a special agent OF
the department of labor; John A.
Moffitt, and John B. Densmore, so
licitor for the department who were
sent out to the copper region as con-
ciliators. g
A summary of the investigation,
made public today, details the work Of
Palmer and also that of John B. Dens-
more, solicitor for the department Of
labor, and Special Agent John A. Moi
fit, who were later sent as media
tors. Their investigation covered 26
phases of the strike situation, begin
ming with the causes, wages, hours
of labor and including the Western
Federation Of Miners violence, the
militia and armed guards, iniunctions
against picketing and ending with
the earnings Of the sompany.
Secretary Wilson today declined to-
say what the next step in the depart
ment's participation, in the situation
will be, although he intimated that
the reports ofsthe investigators might
become the lbasis of a congressional
investigation.
In connection with the efforts Of
the department at mediation, the re-
ports of John Moffitto and John b.
Densmore, who acte0 as commission
ers Of Cancellation atidifferent times,
the report says, show:
That suggestions were made that
the managers Of the companies meet
the representatives OF the miners with
a view to effecting mutual settle
ment.
That the whole question in dispute
be submitted to arbitration.
That the questions be submitted to
arbitration and no member Of the
Western Federation Of Miners be SCI
lected on the board
That the companies agree to rein
state all Of the workmen without dis
crimination relative to their being
members or non-members of union.
That the companies post notices
that lbey win re-enploy all the striN-
ers without discrimination relative TO
their Icing members or non-membsrs
Of union.
The report says:
Each Of these propositions as
made were accepted py the represen-
tatives Of the miners as a basis Of
settlement, but were rejected BY the
representatives Of the companies On
the ground that they would not deal
with the Western Federation Of Min.
ers Or have any Of its members in
their employ
The report continues: