The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-06-27
Meyer Leaves Federation Men to
Fight Their Own Battle
in Butte Camp
WANTS The FEDERAL TROOPS
Believes Presence in State Would
Have SaIutary Effect on
Mob" Leaders

Butte, Mont, June 27.-The rehabili-
tation of the Butte local of the West
ern Federation of Miners, now split
by internal warfare, has been left to
the local miners by President Meyer.
Meyers local supporters sought quar-
ters today in which to establish them
selves.
The Independent union added six
hundred names to its membership yes
terday, making two thousand enrolled
since the books were opened. Many
expressions OF regret were heard that
the president decided not to move the
federal troops from TT Vancouver TO
Ft. Missoula.
Meyer Wants the Troops.
Helena, Mont. June 27.-Moyer said
if conditions remained unchanged in
Butte that the sending of troops into
the state might have a salutary effect
upon the mob leaders in the copper
city. However, he said he did not
say he favored sending troops to Butte.
Says Shots Came From Hall.
Joseph Bruno, a miner who was shot
in the head Tuesday night in the riot
at Miners Union hall, declared that the
shot came from the stal way. He was
the first man shot. While his condi-
tions is serious he was able to talk
and at Murrays hospital made this
statement:
II was shot by some one standing Mt
the head of the stairs of the union hall.
had only gone up few steps when /
was shot / did not see any armed
men at the top of the steps when
started to walk up. When | sat down
after being struck by a bullet l was
stunned and did not know whether /
had been hit by a bullet or a rock At
least four more shots were fired from
above me. They struck on the side
walk just outside the door of the hall.
He declared that his back was turn
ed To the street when he was hit by
the bullet and the course of the bullet
shows that it was fired from in front
Of him.
Meyers Gunmen, Say Miners.
The following statement was issued
after the rioting by members of the
new organization who were eyewit-
nesses of the disturbances:
I'VE, the eyewitnesses 10 the dis
turbances at Miners Union hall, wish
to make the following statement to the
public in explanation of its cause:
First we wish to state that our ex-
press purpose was to prevent trouble.
the miners of Butte having everything
To gain and nothing TO lose by keeping
the peace The crowd was a curious
one. such as may always be expected
to gather on such an occasion, and ex-
cept for a little jeering and loud talk
ing of a few intoxicated individuals.
was orderly.
The witnesses were moving
through the crowd and had IL under
perfect control when a man, evidently
of Mr.. Meyers own people. started up
the steps to the hall and was shot in
the eye by Mr.. Meyers gunner. This
seemed to be signal for a volley
of shots from the inside of the hall.
The crowd scattered. but the shooting
continued. and one man was killed and
four injured. The sight of the dead
man on the sidewalk opposite the hall
enraged the crowd, especially those
who were slightly intoxicated. Some
went for guns and others for powder.
THE people of Butte know what fol-
lowed, and we, feel, inasmuch as the
newly organized mine workers union
has done its best TO keep the peace OF
our city. that the full blame FOR the
affair belongs to Mr. Meyer
and his cowardly gunmen.