Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-09-30
STRIKE PROV
ING A FAILURE
Masonry Work on the High School
Building Was Resumed Yester-
day Afternoon.
MORE WORKERS EVERY DAY
Strike Leaders Took a Trip Into the
County but Saw Sheriff Slater
and Returned.

WORK mas Deen reSumed on all the
buildings in this city under contract
by the Tubb Bros. and II looks now
as IL the labor problem would solve
itself by the workingmen of the coun-
ty repudiating the leadership Of the
professional workingmen to disrupt
the amicable relations heretofore ex.
isting between laborers in this part
of the state and their employers.
Yesterday afternoon a number of
masons and laborers began work on
the high school building, and con-
tractor T. ]. Tubb states that the
number of workmen on this building
will be increased right along until as
many men as can be used proftably
will be at work. Mr.. Tubb went east
about ten days ago to ecu masons
TO replace those who had been per
suaded to walk out from his contracts.
At Glendiye he employed a mason
who came on to Lewistown and began
work on the Woodman store building.
Representatives Of the union visited
this man and offered to pay him
wages to suspend operations, which
he did for two days, or as long as the
union paid him. At the end of the
second day the mason claims the un-
ion representatives wanted him to
pledge himself not to work again for
Tubb Bros, which he refused to do.
The following day, no pay being in
sight for him from the union, he went
to work for Tubb Bros. Other masons
began work on the Woodman building
a few days ago and the walls of the
structure are now complete as far as
can be done until the iron front has
been placed.
Sunday morning T. ]. Tubb return
ed from Minneapolis with four ma
sons he had employed there, and
both Sunday and Monday both sides
interested were busily at work on
these men; n side to persuade them
from working, the other side, repre-
senting the business interests and ad-
vancement of Lewistown. to persuade
them to go to work. A meeting Of
the union was called at 8 o'clock Sun
day afternoon, the Minneapolis ma
sons being present. These men told
after the meeting that every influence
was brought to bear on them to pre-
vent them from working here, and
intimations were made that under no
circumstances would they be permit
ted to work in this city. All day Mon
day the strike and its ending were the
only subjects heard on the street.
Representatives of the union pre-
vailed upon the Minneapolis masons
to leave the city Monday. and early
Monday morning they were loaded in
to a vehicle and started for the rail-
road. Their tools were in the posses.
sion of Mr.. Tubb, who had paid their
fare from Minneapolis and as he
would not give them up they were de-
tanned during the day. Yesterday
morning three of them left and the
other is now at work IN the high
school building, having come to the
conclusion that he would better serve
his own interests by working for good
wages than by joining in with a band
of professional agitators.
When II was known that Mr.. Tubb
would return here Sunday morning
Sheriff Slater drove to Rockford
| where he met the stage. The sheriff
| did this in order to prevent any
trouble in bringing in the men employ
ed by Tubb. At Cottonwood the sher-
III passed two rigs containing from
twelve to fifteen of the principal labor
leaders of the local union, most OF
whom have been prominent in the
| strike situation. II was shortly after
3 o'clock in the morning when he pass
ed these rigs, and we have since
learned that they went no farther
than Cottonwood, evidently knowing
that the sheriff would not brook any
interference with the rights of Others
on their part.
Six masons and two laborers began
work on the high school building yes
terday afternoon; other masons have
promised to begin work as soon as
ample protection will be given every
man so employed. Work on this
building was suspended August 2Sth
L FOT Ouc uOntu duu ouC noy thC Civ
tion of one of the most needful build
ings in the county has been retarded
and no point has been gained by
those responsible for the delay, only
that they have succeeded In making
themselves odious to those who really
have the welfare OF the community al
heart.
Attempts at Coercion.
Last evening Joe Briggs, wei
known in Lewistown as u painter ant
decorator and for a long time affiliat
ed with ~orgaized labor, was accoste'
by j. A. Turnblade. of Gilt Edge, ant
others, and asked whether 1t was hi
intention to do the painting and dec
Grating In the new postoffice building
nearing completion by Tubb Bros. BE
ing informed that Mr.. Briggs did In
tend to do that work, Mr.. Turnblad
sought by persuasion to deter hin
and failing in this, threatened him b.
!, offering to wager 500 or more tina
! you won't go to work in that built
t ing" his name Indicating that h
was prepared to win the wager b
force II necessary. Mr.. Briggs so III
!, derstood the remarks and said las
evening that while he would be read
to go to work whenever he was neet
ed he had reasons to anticipate int
! ference. Mr.. Turnblade is a unto
I carpenter at Gilt Edge.
Mr.. VIM. Bellivau, a stone maso
, of Billings. arrived In Lewistown lai
week for the purpose OF going to wor
on the Woodman building. He was O
fered $3.50 a day by the walking ]
= borers TO refrain from work and Il
! two days was paid that sum. He W;
then informed that they couldn't &
wouIdn'tl nav N any longer and IN,