The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-28
|EXPECT BLOCKADE
At SOUTHST. PAUL
Clash Between Strikers and
Non-Union Men Is Looked
xjor This Morning


xfor This Morning
A clash between the union and non
union men is expected at South ST.
Paul this morning.
inere is strong likelihood that when
the non-union employees of Swift &, Co.
altenpt to enter the plant they will be
confronted by a strong force of strik-
ers ana refused entrance the posi-
plilty OF trouble being indicated by the
iact that all the non-union men left
the plant yesterday to spend the night
at their homes.
The fact that the plant is now empty.
has caused a general sentiment among
union men in favor of a blockade
stronger than that maintained at any.
time since the strike was declared.
Whether the announcement is merely
designed to scare away the non-union
men, or Will be carried out, today will
tel. As there are fully as many men
employed in the plant as there are
strikers conflict will be easily brought
about
Although the influence of President
Wills was yesterday sufficient to pre-
vent the official PRONUNCIATION of
blockade, it was evident that the men
are discouraged with the results
achieved by the passive attitude they
nave lately assumed, and that they pro-
pose to again make an effort to demon
sfrate their power to stop the operation
of the plant. s 2
Blockade Idea Cheered
AT mass meeting of the union held
In the South st. Paul city hall George
Lentsch created intense excitement and
much enthusiasm when he made a for
NAL motion that the blockade be re-
newed this morning, and that all mem
Ders OF the union be on hand to assist
IN forcing back the workmen employed
in the plant who desire to enter.
Always cool, President Willis awaited
until the cheering had died out, when
he took a stand firmly against the
blockade, and warned the members of
the union that they hardly realized
what they purposed to do. Willis
pleaded at some length, and ultimately
brought about an understanding that
IL there is any blockade it will not be.
done in the name of the union.
The meeting had been called pri-
mar1ly to decide whether the South st.
Paul union should itself pay regular
weekly benefits to the members, and
after some discussion it was decided to
retain this money for the present, only
using 1T. as actually needed by individ-
ual members. George Leutsch, who is
an officer of the union and a pork
butcher by trade, caused the scene of
the day When ne took the, floor and
said: -.+-taa
Arouses Loud Applause 20. 20
II believe that we are making mis-
take In allowing the scabS to go to- and
from the plant, and fear that we will
not win If we continue to follow the
same policy I therefore move you.
that we tomorrow place across the en-
trance to the plant a strong picket line,
and admit only the Office force and the
mechanics. Swift & Co. is merely
playing with u.s., and in my opinion it
is time to call halt and show them
We are men and not slaves
The motion was received with great
applause, and was seconded by about
a hundred men. President Willis wait
ed until the enthusiasm had subsidized
and then said:
That is not good motion and hope
that 1T will not prevail. There are in
this hall a great many people, and if
this motion should prevail it is pos
sible that the company might, by some
means, learn that blockade is to be
established. The result would be that
all the men employed in the plant
would be kept there over night, and
nothing would be accomplished if you
should establish blockade. I believe
that we should establish a strong picket
line and when the men report for work
n ! - j.
join US. If they insist on returning
believe that we should give way and
let them pass
And hit them over the head with a
club as they go BY called out a man
in the audience.
Diseouraees Use of Clubs
81 hope that you men will not carry
clubs" continued President Willis. "It
is all right to carry sticks or switches,
but clubs are dangerous. 1t is neces-
sary to warn you men that if you use
force in refusing entrance to the plant
it is likely that the governor will carry
out his threat to call upon the militia
| am sure that you do not want this,
and you should therefore be careful in
committing the union. as an organized
body, to blockade of the plant
A number of the members of the
union disagreed with the president, but
the question was eyaded by failure
to put the Lentsch motion ordering the
blockade. This leaves the question of a
blockade with the men as individuals,
although they chose "a strike commit
tee some time ago to take charge of
picket duty.
The strike committee held a couple of
sessions after the union meeting and
displayed considerable activity, but Jo-
seph Banks, the chairman, declined to
say. that a blockade had been ordered.
The union men, without exception,
however, stated that they expected to
be called upon to do picket duty today,
and that they further expected that
when they arrive on the scene they will
be ordered to again form the line
across the street.
At quitting time all the non-union
men employed in the plant, many of
| whom have not been out of the yard
of Swift & Co since the strike was
first declared, came streaming from
the plant. A large number of pickets
were on duty at the time, and the men
were approached and asked not to come
| back today. 1t was said by the union
men that they secured promises from
about fifty. 1t was further claimed by
the pickets that it will be found that
more than a hundred of the noneunion
men will be found missing when it is
time to report for work today, and that
it will be an easy matter to shut out
! the remainder.
49,.