Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-08-10
ARRESTED At OSHKOSH,
General Secretary Of Woodwork
ers' Union.
CONSPIRACY CHARGED
The Mills Are in ODeratiou-Er,1-
ployes Are Sworn in as
Special Police.

Oshkosh, Wis, Aug. 6.-[Special. IT
|. Kidd, who has been conducting the
| w00dworkers' strike here and who occu-
pies the position of general secretary of
the Amalgamated Woodworker's union,
headquarters in Chicago, was arrested
this morning at 8 o'clock charged with
conspiracy to prevent the mills OF the
Paine Lumber company from operating.
1t is alleged that he caused to be placed
in front Of the factory squads of men who
patrolled the streets and inundated
workmen who were desirious of going to
work. Two others George Zintner, a
prominent laboring man and a member of
the woodworkers' council, and man
named Mike Triber were included in the
warrant and charged with the same Of
Tense.
The papers were served by the sheriff
while the men were engaged in meeting at
the Trades and Labor hall. They were
taken to the municipal court, where the
complaint was read. Nathan PANE OF
the Paine Lumber company is the com
planning witness. The defendants were
arraigned and hearings set for August II,
bonds being fixed al $1,000 each. Bail
was furnished by Charles Schiel. cigar
manufacturer. Earl p. Finch and ii. l.
Weed have been retained as attorneys for
the defense.
The mills started this morning without
trouble from the mob. Each of the en-
ployes has been invested with police pow
er and they wore stars and carried clubs
for protection
Meeting was Failure.
The efforts of the mayor and Il num-
Der of leading citizens to form a league
for the protection of the city from the
ravages of mObs and riots last night
wound up in an entirely unexpected man
ner. No league was formed, although the
question of placing check upon the
alarming condition of things was dis
cuSsed by several citizens.
One result of the meeting which great
ly delighted the labOring men present at
the meeting was the release of the nine
women who had been incarcerated in the
morning for alleged completely IN the
riots at the Morgan plant
After an hour of discussion, it became
apparent that the strikers and members
OF labor organizations of the city were
in the large majority in the hall. The
efforts of one speaker to induce the peO-
pie present to say that they would allow
him to go to work at the Morgan plant
in the morning brought on perfect
thunder of NO! no! no!' and made it
quite significant that an unfortunate
statement by any of the speakers might
bring on a riot within the walls of the
city hall.
One speaker made the remark that in
the building were nine women, mothers
OF children, and it was feared that an
effort to break the walls of the Jail would
follow the adjournment of the meeting.
The mayor was present, but toward the
close he took his departure. He went
to the police officers and after Il con-
ference with the chief it was decided to
release the women who were confined in
the jail.
Chairman Of the finance committee of
the council, Z. D. Heath was called up
on to make a speech, which he con-
Guided by making a motion that the may
Or be requested to release the women on
parole Another thunder of voices
roared out AYE" and there was not a
Dissenting vote.
Several times during the meeting it was
feared that the situation would get be-
yCnd the control Of the officials. Cries of
"scab' were heard from all parts Of the
room at one time when noaunion
workman seconded a motion. 1t was
without question one of the most eXcit-
ing gatherings ever held in the city of
Oshkosh.
When the men quit work last night
quite a crowd of people, strikers and
spectators, gathered at the Morgan plant
and it was confidently believed there
would be trouble. The men left the mill
in safety, however, and the fears of the
authorities proved to be groundless. This
was the on = place ii tie city where the
strikers gathered and no disturbance was
Two officers were assaulted in the resi-
derce portion of the south side about Z
o'clock. but the officers made their escape
before any serious harm was done.