The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-18
INVESTIGATED BY THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
REPORT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
He Declares the Gravity of the Situa-
ton Cannot be Over-Stated-He Can
Find Nothing on Which to Base
Criminal Procedure by n Govern
ment-The People Desperate
Under Continued Hostile Course or
R~esistencia Toward Other Citizens.

Tampa. Fla. October l4-United
States District Attorney Stripping. who
has been here several days Investigate
ing the labor troubles. especially The
recent deportation OF Resistencia strike
leaders. and with a view Of adjusting
the differences. made his report to the
attorney general at Washington today.
He describes in detail the trou - be-
tween the striking cirgar maker ard
the manufacturers and declares TIE
gravity Of the situation a scarcely
be over-stated.''
The report reads: Upon arrival ut
Tampa l met. pursuant TO previous ar
rangement, a committee OF the board
OF trade. composed OF many Of the most
prominent business men and influential
citizens OF the city-among them the
Hon. S. NJ. Sparkman. member Of con-
gress- and requested their co-opera-
ton in ferreting out any violations OF
the laws OF n United States.
1t vas generally admitted that n
unlbe OF the most prominent agita-
tors of the strike had been compelled
to leave Tampa. 1t was also represent
ed 10 me that the. strikers had them
selves compelled a number OF their
own men 10 leave, on account OF the
influence they were welding in favor
of a cessation of the strike: blu / was
unable to obtain any evidence to iden-
tifv the individuals who committed
these acts of la~wlessness. I conferred
freely with the members of the board
OF trade, with representative citizens
and with the executive committee OF
the Resistencia union. which is con-
Quoting the strike, but was unable to
obtain any evidence Of violation. Of tho
laws of the United States.
Having satisfied myself that IL was
ampracticable to secure any evidence
which would justify a criminal prose-
cution in the federal courts. l made an
effort to bring the manufacturers and
strikers together. with Il view to ed
justing their differences. and thus to
restore peace and order"
The district attorney then deals at
length Will the differences W the
employees, declaring that strikes Lave
been frequently ordered for frivolous
causes the purpose OF the Resisten-
ella union seemed to be, net only to
control manufacturing circles in Tam
pa, but to control every other line of
business. The policy OF the union was
so oppressive and had gone to such an
extent until finally. when the strike was
declared, il appears that almost every
man not connected with the union rose
up. declaring that the work Of the
Resistencia had already gone too flr.
and that il must come to a conclusion"
The district attorney concludes his
report as follows:
"Unimportant concessions could be
made on either side. which. in my opfn-
ion. would result in no DISADVANTAGES
that Would open the way to an early
adjustment. but the strained relations
that now exist have reached such \
nigh tension that both sides Sickle
over making any approach, for fear
that it would be regarded as an ev.-
dence OF weakness and a disposition
to yield 10 the demands of the other. /
however. succeeded in suggesting a
plan which met with the approval of
a number Of very influential citizens.
who promised to take the matter up on
the lines suggested and I feel hopeful
mat II may lead to good results.
My conclusion is that the federal
government can do nothing TO relieve
the situation in this unfortunate affair
other than to exercise it's friendly Of
fees in bringing about an amicabTe
adjustment between the parties"