The Saint Paul globe., 1897-04-10
HAS FLATTEnED OUT
STRIKE AT BOHN MANUFACTURING
COMPANY SEEMS ABOUT
ENDED.
MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT.
PART OF THE MEN DEC L4RE THE r.
INTENTIONS OF RETURNING TO
WORK. .--.s..
MEETING HELD LAST MIGHT
OTHERS WANT TO HOLD OUT STILL.
superintendent Munich Tells Them
the Company VIII Not Restore
Wages at This Time.

The striking employees of the Bohn
Manufacturing company met in Gar
field hall last night, and after an ex-
cedingly dramatic session, lasting more
than four hours, adjourned thoroughly
disOrganized and with absolutely no
prospect of arriving at a settlement
with the company. About 125 of the
strikers were present at the meeting
which was presided over by John Madi-
son as temporary chairman in the alb
sence of Chairman Hamersten. Super
intendent Munich was present as the
representative of the company, and in
formed the men that the members of
the company had decided to stand
firm in the attitude which they had
assumed toward the strikers. He said
that the company would be willing to
do anything within its power, but that
a reStora ton of the 20 per cent cut was
out of the question. The company sim
ply could not. and would not meet the
demands Of the men. The business on
hand and in sight, would not warrant
such action. The business for the first
three months of the present year was
more than $4,000 less than the corre-
spending period for 1896. If the men
saw fit to remain out on a strike, the
mills would be shut down and the work
on hand would be sent elsewhere.
He was commissioned by the COM
pany TO say that if the men would re-
turn to work an extra effort would be
made for business, and whenever bust
ness warranted. the firm would volun-
tarily restore the cut in wages, but
refused to say when that would be.
Supt. Munich was asked as to the atti-
tude of the company toward the men
who had gone out on the strike, would
all be taken back in case the strike was
declared OFF, In answer he said that
he could promise nothing in that di-
rection, but was of the opinion that
no trouble would arise from that
source. He criticized the action Of the
men in going out as they did, and said
in defense of the firm that no self-re-
specting business man could do aught
but oppose them under the circum-
stances
When Supt. Munich had finished
speaking, a discussion Of the question
among the men was called for by the
chairman. There was a decided ten
dency on the part of the men to re-
main silent until it developed that G.
G. Black, who was supposed to have
cast his fortunes with the strikers, had
been offered a position as foreman and
had returned to work in the mill
set of resolutions was introduced
by F. FrederickSon denouncing this ac-
ton on his part in exceedingly strong
terms. Mr.. Black,lwh was present at
the meeting, was given chance to de-
fend his actions. and stated that he
had been informed that the position
which he had taken was vacant; that
he would not have accepted it under
any other circumstances. He was In
dignant that the resolutions had been
introduced, and denounced both them
and the man who had drawn them up
Mr. Blacks words brought. Frederick
son to his feet in dOuble-quick time
and trouble was only averted by the
prompt action of the chairman. 1t was
the general opinion that Black should
be censured for returning to work, but
not in such strong terms, and it was
finally decided that the resolutions
should be Indefinitely postponed. Fred
erickson had announced his intention OF
quitting the room in the event of such
action being taken, and he promptly
withdrew, saying as he left that he
thereby severed all connection with the
strikers. -....-.e-
| After some further discussion a vote was
/ taken to determine the future. action of the
! men. The result showed sixteen men who
| wanted to return to work and seventy-two
wo desired to prolong the struggle About
tnlrty OF the men refused TO vote either way.
! When the vote was announced Superintendent
! Munich told the men that it would be useless
for them to try to force the company for thew
would absolutely refuse the terms Of the
! strikers. He said the men might as well look
for positions elsewhere, for there would be
no place at the mills for them as the com
| pany would close down before it would ac-
cede to the terms offered.
The question was brought up as to- the
legality of the company's pursuing such a
course under the charter that had been grant