The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-08


the governor as evidence dsprovins
yesterdays statement. Richard was
employed in 1908 in the La Sale mine
and from May 1907 To July 1905 he had
received total of $l,i39 for $40 shifts
daily average wage scale of S3.79.
The wage record of Dan Sullivan
president of the Hancock union who
also yesterday referred to low wages
he received, was submitted. Sullivan
received $31i - day for 6S6la days
No Power Rests With Meyer
Charles Heitala, secretary of the
Hancock local. on the stand yesterday
afternoon, declared the strike was
called 10y vote of federation mem
bers on July 6. the count of which
showed approximately 1000 in favor of
the Walkour ANA l25 against the strike.
During the interim between that date
ana TIE time the strike was officially
declared, he said, she heads of the
federation and locals advised delay
in the declaration 81 a strike. The
members. he added became so eager
10 strike and So insstent that the
walkOut he declared Immediately. that
differences were made that the opera
tors hought out the leaders. Unable To
satisfy the union men, they then called
the strike for July g.
If the men called he strike, can
they end it," Uucricd the governor.
Attorney Hilton replied they could by
a referendum vote.
Then no power rests in Meyer to
end the strike?" asked the executive.
mo, Meyer couldn't end it today be-
cause he has not the power" respond
eel Hilton.
Continuing, Heit1a said he had
mailed number of letters To the OPP
orators requesting II conference be-
tween the men and the employers.
one at these letters. ne said. was re-
turned, unopened. The remainder,
however, were not returned.
Nearly 5000 Getting Relief.
Asked the number of men in the
federation when the vote was taken
Heitala said there were 5000 and that
approximately 1000 failed To east q
vote. He said there were at present
1850 members in the Hancock local
Are there any farmers or others out
side of miners. represented i'm that
number" asked the governor
lIietala replied that about 30 far
mers are members Of the union. but
they did not receive strike benefits as
they were only associate members
About 500 members Of the Hancock
union. he declared. are now out of the
district and of the 2.00O who remain
l,G3i are on the RELIEF roll.
According to Heitala, there were
$50 members on the south range a
month a.o and l,300 names were on
the relief roll About - members have
returned to work, he continued The
membership at Mass city IS $50 of
which $50 are obtaining relief The
Calumet local, he said, has . member
ship at present of 300 and approx
mately 5000 are receiving relief,
while the Keweenaw union ranks, he
estimated AT L9S6, and relief was he
ing extended to 1.i00.
Says Only 1900 Nov at Work.
In reply t. Il question as To the num-
her of federation members who have
left the district, he estimated the
number at 1000.
How many struck i'm the firs5
place. asked the governor.
About 1000" was Heitala's reply
lie estimated the number of fedora
ton members still in the district be-
tween 1000 and 5000, and the highest
number in the federation at any time
IGt 1900.
He estimated the number of men
now working in the district at 5000,
WGirh, he said, did not include mine
bosses and deputies
John Anti!la, secretary of the Calu-
mel local was called to the stand. He
said the strike was caused by the high
cost of living and the lew wages paid
The miners. lie asserted he began to
work in the Tamarack mine when n
boy for Si5 per month Three years
later" he became a timhorman and
earned $21O per day.
American Federation Head Talks.
The matter of wages and the cost
Of living were topics constantly dis
cusscd underground by the men. ne
continued. and they felt they were
mistreatcd \ year ago he became
secretary of the union and that has
since been his means of livelihood.
He corroboratcd Hctala in the state
meut that the union heads were
against the calling of the strike. but
they could not appcasc the men until
that action was taken.
Claude o. Taylor. mead of the Mich
igan Federation of Labor, declared
ihc strik" was called IA the regular
way and The american Federation of
Labor is hound To support the miners.
James +, Roach, a representative If