Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-06
industrial COMMISSION
TO INVESTIGATE STRIKES
Labor Disturbances in All Sections
of Country Will Be
Probed.

Nation wide investigation of labor
disturbances is to be Immediately I'M
dertaken by the federal commission on
industrial relations. Decision to do so
was reached following a five-day ex-
ecutive session.
The first step in the proposed in
quiry will be the dispatch of expert
Investigators to Calumet Mich. where
there is strike Of coal miners. The
past disturbances at Paterson. N. J.;
Lawrence, Mass, and Los Angeles,
Cal, are also to be investigated. The
special agents will report the results
of their investigation to the commits
sion February 2, and the commission
probably later will conduct hearings.
Powers Are Not Fixed.
Because of the apparent misunderstand-
ing as to its powers and duties, the COM
mission adopted a resolution stating that
it has no power to act as board OF
Cancellation or mediation in labor dis
putes, or to interfere in any manner with
the attempted settlement of such contro-
VERSES. Inc resolution adds, however.
that the commission, ''in Carrying out Its
duties to discover the underlying causes
VI llQuSbIldl uuISSt. Will biNSSIl6utO C-AASe-
ing as well as past disturbances
Appeal for Investigation.
The committee of five appointed by
the Colorado Federation of Labor at
the suggestion of Gov. Ammons to in
vestigate the Trinidad coal strike and
the conduct of the Colorado militia ap-
pealed to Representative Heating to-
day for a congressional investigation
The committee indicated that 1t would
file charges against Gen. Chase, IN
charge of the militia, and alleged that
other deportations of strike leaders, IN
addition to Mother" Jones. were being
planned. Representative keating teie-
graphed that he believed Congress
would order an investigation.
President Samuel Gompers OF the
American Federation of Labor denied
today that any meeting of the execu-
tive council was contemplated to take
up the Calumet strike situation. Al
a regular meeting, January 10, the
council will discuss the situation, but
Mr. Gompers said today he saw moth
ing yet for further action than the
federation already has taken, such as
aid to the miners. The same situation
prevails as to the Colorado strike, he
said
Demand Strike Inquiry.
Labor forces pressing Congress for ar
inquiry into the Michigan and Colorado
strikes have renewed their activities
claiming that the establishment Of mar
tial law in either state threatened condi
tions as seriously as that which recently
obtained in West Virginia. Senator
Borah's report as to the operation of mar
tial law in West Virginia was declared
to strengthen the demands tor a con
gressional inquiry as presented by Repre-
sentatives Heating of Colorado and Mac
Donald of Michigan. The contentious o.
the two legislators. supplemented by thost
of the labor leaders and witnesses which
they had testify before the House rule.
committee, it was said, are practically
identical to those revealed in the Boraf
report.
Favor Early Action.
1t is said that many members Of Con-
gress favor the inauguration of an in
vestigation into the Michigan and
Colorado strikes at once. 1t is expected
that resolutions will be offered in the
Senate as soon as that body reconvenes
Monday.
Fred w Morrell, acting forester al
Denver has reported to the forest
service headquarters on his investiga-
ton of the charge that J. H. Ratliff
supervisor of the Routt national forest
had led a mob which stormed a Colo
RADIO Jail and deported striking miners
Morrelfs report says that the jail
was not attacked, but that Ratliff, rep
resenting a citizens league, presented
region because the citizens feared the
sheriff and his deputies might not be
able to protect them against mob
violence.