Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1914 — FERRIS UNABLE TO END COPPER WAR [ARTICLE]

FERRIS UNABLE TO END COPPER WAR

Owners Say They Won’t Recognize W. F. of M. GOVERNOR LEAVES TODAY Miners Assert They Will Not Return to Work Until Operators Agree to Meet Terms —Moyer Arrives at Hancock. Houghton, Mich., Jan. 9.—Uncompromising defiance of the Western Federation of Miners was voiced by copper mine owners while Charles H. Moyer, its president, was testifying before the grand jury on his recent deportation from the strike districL The copper mine operators appeared before Governor Ferris at his inquiry into the existing strike and announced that union labor as such was not repugnant to them. They declared, however, that the Western Federation of Miners could hope for no consideration from company sources. On this point their attitude was unchangeable. After getting this information Governor Ferris seemed in doubt whether to use his power of persuasion in an effort to settle the strike. He held a conference with Victor Berger, Seymour Stedman of Chicago, and Charles Edward Russeß, a committee investigating the strike for the Socialist party. He said afterward he expected to start for Big Rapids today. Wants Austria to Sue. Meantime the inquiry by Julius J. Patek of Ironwood in behalf of the consul general of Austria-Hungary into allegations that subjects of that country had been compelled to work in the mines against their will was completed. - “I shall recommend to the Austrian government that It take steps for a writ of habeas corpus in federal courts,” said Mr. Patek. "basing this recommendation on evidence which 1 have collected In eight cases. ‘Tf this evidence is true then th-* South Kearsarge and Allouez nedpl? are guilty of holding men in bondage or peonage." The habeas corpus proceedings were recommended because Mr. Patek couldn’t find some of the men whose relatives hud complained. Three men had disappeared together He believed they had been shifted against their Will from one mine to another.

Ferris Scorns Union Proposal. Two panaceas for the strike situation were presented to the governor at his meeting with the Socialists, Mr. Russell said the state executive could end the trouble if he would use his power with the raining companies to force them to recognize the Western Federation of Miners. “Will you do it?" asked Mr. Russell. “No. sir, I will not.” was the emphatic response. Mr. Berger proposed that all mine guards and deputies be withdrawn, that the sound sense of the citizens be trusted to preserve law and order and that the state in some way protect the men from eviction.

Moyer’s appearance before thgrand jury aroused the greatest interest among the miners. Guarded by deputy sheriffs, he went before the jury with Charles Tanner, auditor of the Western Federation of Miners. The hearing lasted about two hours. Afterward Moyer and Tanner returned to the hotel in Hancock, whence they were taken a fortnight ago. The na ture of their testimony was not disclosed. Governor Ferris and the head of the strikers’ union did not meet. Explains War on Union. Plans for arbitration from Clarence S. Darrow, the governor’s office and the federal department of labor all contained proposals that the arbitra tion include the question of recognition of the federation, and for that reason were declined, said Align Rees, chief counsel for the Calumet & Hecla. ( The attorney also said that about 10,000 men were at work now, of whom 1,500 had been imported. Most of these met\ came back only on condition that the companies would not permit any federation men, as such, to “enter the mines. He' said that it would be impossible to obtain harmonious work between union and nonunion men.

Governor’s Figures on Strike. Governor Ferris ascertained that every company affected by the strike was represented and then explained that James Cunningham, state labor commissioner, had collected sworn data as to number of men at work, their nationality and conditions under which they were hired. He read the summary of Mr. Cunningham as follows: h Name of Employes day Enjplbves _ Company before strike. now Isle Royal 709 217 Centennial .................. 117 - ■ ] Superior ... ]«_• G,jIjaurium ............... 25 Champion 118 531 Quincy ...1.580 74, Trimountain 570 Bailie gen Osceola .1.143 542 Tamarack A -Tl 110 Wolverine ..... 353 j.TCalumet &- Hecla... 4,107 40a; Hancock .v........... IGI ’”9l Mohawk ........ 1,’,; Ahmeek . 582 74; LaSalle' ....................... 43 “29 Allouez ...................... -305 171 Franklin 322 23 Mr. Reese denied that any time limit for the return of strikers had been set.