The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-05-16
z. G. Simmons States That No Out
side Help Will Be Brought to Ke-
nosha on Account of Strike
PLANS FOR A SETTLEMENT FAIL.
Men Sue gest That a Reputable Merchant
Be Named as Member of the Board
and Mr.. Simmons Will Accept.

The strike at the foundry of the
Simmons factory still continues to be
the main thing of interest in labor cir
c1es. None of the other workmen at
the factory have struck, but some of
them have been forced out of work on
account of the fact that the foundry
is idle.
The men striking stated this after
noon that they were anxious to have
the strike settled. In regard to their
refusal to accept Samuel Gompers as a
moderator in the trouble, the men
state that their only reason for this
action was the fact that Mr.. Gompers
is very busy man and they did not
desire to wait a settlement of the
strike until he could find time to come
to Kenosha. On the other hand, the
men seeking an early settlement of the
trouble have suggested that one Of the
merchants in this city be named as the
fifth man on the arbitration board.
They make no nomination, but state
that they are willing to accept any
reputable merchant that may be &C
ceptab1e to Mr.. Simmons and the
managers of the factory. The men
are behaving themselves and are max
ing no effort to prevent other men
from working if they desire to do So.
One of the men stated this afternoon
that they were not DESTROYS of stop
ping the work at the factory, but that
the foundry men had decided to stay
out until some settlement Of the
trouble between them and the mana
gers Of the plant could be secured.
In speaking of the offer made by the
men that reputable merchant be
named as moderator, Mr.. Simmons
stated this afternoon that he was will
ing to accept this arrangement, but
that it was altogether improbable that
any ''reputab1e'' merchant would &C
cept the charge. Mr.. Simmons stated
that in the outset this plan had been
proposed to the 1uen, but they had re-
fused to accept it. Mr.. Simmons has
also sent a letter to the men this after
noon asking them to accept the SER
vices of the State Board of Arbitra-
ton, but this will probably be refused
by the men, as they told the mem Der
of the board who was in the city yes
terday that they preferred to have the
strike settled without any outside in
reference.
Mr.. Simmons still holds open his Of
fer to name President Samuel Com
pers as the fifth man on the board, and
in answer to the statement of the men
that it would take too long time to
get Mr.. Gompers to Kenosha, he offers
to put up a bond offering to pay the
men for their time from the beginning
of the strike at the wages to be recon-
mended by Mr.. Gompers.
In regard to the further work at the
factory, it looks as if it would be nee
essary to close the factory down.
While the men are orderly and have
shown no spirit of violence, the streets
leading to the factory have been pick
eted and it is feared that should the
factory managers attempt to bring
new men opposition will follow.
Mr.. Simmons is not planning such a
move, and this afternoon he stated
that if it were necessary to shut down
the plant he would do it, rather than
to endanger the lives of men to be
employed. Mr.. Simmons said that
should it be found necessary to close
down the factory it would mean a
great financial loss to the concern,
but it would mean even greater loss
to the men employed.
On this account every effort will be
made to settle the strike, and if these
methods fail the lockout will have to
| follow.