The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-08-19
STRIKE AFFECTS
IRON COUNTY
AGITAT0RS WERE BUSY IN IRON
RIVER THIS WEEK
500 WORKMEN ASSEMBLE
County Is At Present In Grave
Danger of Visitation of
l.W. WIS

During the week II has developed
that the apprehension OF The Dia-
mond Drill relative TO the attempt of
the J. w. w. mercenaries TO bring the
scourge of the Mesaba riots to this
county, has not been without founda-
tion. On Sunday last under misrepre-
sentation as 10 the true purpose OF the
meeting, about five hundred workmen
were assembled at Iron River and then
harangued by Elizabeth Flynn, the
wife Of one OF the leaders Of the /. w.
w. The agitation produced by this
meeting is said TO have resulted in
strike vote being taken, but owing TO
the wisdom and coolness Of certain
leaders among the miners, the vote
failed
Following this. four paid agitators
came to Iron River and have been
busy during the week Meanwhile. the
citizens Of Iron River generally have
been aroused to a full appreciation OF
the impending danger and have adopt
ed all possible measures to avoid the
disorder
There is no dissatisfaction among
the men al Iron River with either the
wages or conditions and ii there was
no danger Of violent methods being
employed by those who might insti-
tute a strike, there would be no possi-
bility OF interference with industry
there al this time But peaceful
methods have not been the imple
ments of the l. w W. in the past and
will not be in the future. If they are
permitted to agitate among those men
who are open 10 the arguments Of
class hatred IT will only be a question
Of time until the rest Of the usual pro-
gram will be brought on and that
spells ruin for honest workingmen and
business people of limited capital
In justice TO the miners of Iron
county it must be noted that as a class
they are doing all in their power to
avoid the threatened calamity and If
trouble comes it viii be tho result Of
the work OF handful Of outside
agitators, aided and abetted by am
other handful OF undesirable citizens
which this county unfortunately has
within its borders
The great majority OF our miners
are honest and intelligent. They ap-
preeiate that they are receiving wages
as good az the industry can now bear
and that their hours OF labor and other
working conditions are good They
also appreciate that the present con-
dition OF the iron market Is feverish
and that az any moment, owing to
war conditions, II may break and ne
cessitate general curtailment OF
production II Is therefore felt that
this Is the season Of opportunity for
the miner 10 get something ahead !
rather than 10 swap high wages for
promised strike benefits. which. If |
paid, mean only escape from starva-
tlon by hairs breadth.
That The county Is az present I'D dan
Ger OF a visitation of the ] W VIZ
8course is certnin and whether IL rs
avoided or not depends pretty largely /
on tho citizens A firm determination 1
eu the nart ~ 1e tizo. gmernlt !
not q have their ives and propery /
endanEered through le Interference |
0f a few vicious oilers under ~ Pre- !
text OF solicitule for the worhnsmau..l
upon whom they live, viii probably +
save our pr nt prosperity and hap
Dlress
II will be recalled thot the Amcticaa I
Federation Of Labor has nothing 70 ~
with The | w w II q strike Is ebpu
cd here, every child on the street VIII I
know the reason