The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-04-10

referendum vote on the question
Of ending the strike meets with
the entire approval of the feder
alton officers, declared President
Meyer today.
The members Of the locals de-
cioed to call the strike by refer
endum vote. The officers and the
general federation went to their
aid and have done the best they
could in it's conduct. II the men
wish TO end the strike. accepting
the eieht-ho day and wage in
crease, two Of their chief demands,
and waving the question Of rec
osnition, their decision will have
the approval of the general Off
GERS said Meyer.
Mcye. emphasized the fact that
the members of the locals had
called 'hc strike and had full
powe' to pass on any question of
whn.he- il should end or eontinlc.
Whether the strike Of the Western
Federation of Miners IN the copper
country district will be officially ter
minated at once. or whether it will be
continued with the relief benefits cut
almost to nothing. Is the question
which will be voted upon by the five
local unions in this district Sunday.
The polls will be open from a. m.
to p. m. sunday giving every mem
ber an opportunity to vote. and the
result Of the ballot will be announced
Monday.
That this referendum vote will show
that a big majority of the remaining
strikers are desirous of bringing the
strike to an end is the confident pre-
diction Of those I'm close touch with
the feeling of the federation members.
The submitting of this question to a
vote follows action taken at regular
meeting of the district union this
week at which the situation was thor
oughN discussed. I'm submitting its
report to the Calumet local at meet
ing i'm the Red Jacket town hall this
morning, attended by from zoo 10 500
men, the district union officials pointed
out that because of the labor difficult
ties i'm the coal fields of Ohio and
Pennsylvania. pending the reaching Of
new wage agreement the support
heretofore received from that field.
said to be about $4,000 monthly has
been cut of entirely. and It will be
necessary to cut the relief benefits of
the men on strikc~in the copper coun-
try that amount. The relief benefits
of both married men and single men
would undergo "A heavy cut. So heavy
that it would be impossible FOR the
men to exist upon them. Because Of
this situation it has been decided 90
submit the question To the men
Meetings were held today 10y the
Calumet local. Ahmeek local and Mass
City local, at which these facts were
made plain, and tomorrow the same re-
port will bc submitted To the members
Of the Hancock and South Range To-
Gals, SO that all of the members may
have clear understanding of the sit
uation.
While the district union makes no
recommendation other than that the
men vote on the question OF ending the
strike, it was made plain To the men
that the situation they face is critical
and that they can expect but little fur
thcr support from the federation
No Further Concessions.
The officers of the district union told
the men they could expect no further
concessions from the mininE compau-
les. that the prospect of their gaining
recognition for the federation was very
remote. The question of ending tho
strike or continuing il was put squarely
up To- the men by the officials OF the
district union. IL was stated that q
majority OF votes will decide the is
sue.
Various expressions concerning the
advisability Of ending the strike were
given at the meeting held in the Red
Jacket town hall this morning
There is considerable dissatisfaction
that the question was not submitted
to the remaining strikers one month