The Sentinel=record., 1914-01-08
GOVERNOR HOPES
 FOR SETTLEMENT
INVESTIGATION SHOWS MINERS OFFICIALS WERE OPPOSED
 TO THE STRIKE.
Workmen, Forced the Strike by an Overwhelming Referendum Vote and Then Walked Out.

Houghton, Mich. Jan. That the copper miners strike called last July was opposed by Western Federation of Miner officials was emphasized to- day to Gov. Woodbridge N. Ferris by representatives of the union at he governors investigation of strike con ditions.
 Union men declared the strike was called only after a referendum vote had shown the rank and file insistent on it, and that any proposal for a set clement must be accepted by the gen eral membership.
 o. N. Hilton, chief counsel of the Federation, told the governor that neither he nor President Charles H.. Mover or any other official of the Federation had any authority to stop the strike He indicated however, that union officers were willing to recommend to the men any basis of settlement that would carry with it permission for the men to join any organization they wished.
 Throughout the hearing the part that local men had taken in the af- fair was kept well to the front. Dan Sullivan. president of the district council of the Federation; Carl Hiet- ala. secretary. and Wm. Ricard and John Anttala, president and secretary of the Calumet local, went on record as having been opposed to the strike Anttala said he had felt that when the companies realized the strength of the union they would be willing to confer on grievances and to arrive at a peaceful settlement. All four said when they tried to slave off the strike they had been accused of sell ing out to the companies.
 Hietala told the governor that bal lot boxes had been open four days for the strike question and that count on July showed approximate lv 1880 votes for the strike and about 125 against it. He said approximate ly 1900 failed to vote because of ab- sence or indifference.
 The governor asked MT Hilton why the national officers of the union had opposed the action.
 Because they felt strike would entail great expense and consider able suffering. and because it was felt that conditions all over the coun- try were such that the time was in opportune for the inauguration of any such industrial disturbance" was the reply.
 The governor asked union men give what they considered the cruX of the situation R. Roach, personal representative of Samuel Gompers, replied:
 The companies today are planning continuation of their fight against trades unionism in concert" he said. Yet they ask the men to deal singly with a combination of corporations. J
 "No man is more anxious for a set tlement than l." said the governor q believe the corporations generally will recognize organizations of their employees There is no question of he right of men to join such organiza i tions and the only question confront | ing me now is whether l, as governor can find settlement here that will be of the right sort and permanent First on the governors program 70 morrow will be Victor Berger Mil waukee; Seymour Stedman, Chicago and Charles Edwards Russell, New York, who arrived here today to in vestigate the strike for the nationa executive committee of the Socialis | party.
 We are here simply to investi gate" said Mir. Berger. One thinl is certain. whatever the governor ma! i say. federal investigation is need cd here"