Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-13
WILL MAKE PLANT OPEN SHOP
Cudahy's Statement at Kansas City
Unskilled Labor

KANSAS CITY, July 13.-At one of the
six packing plants - Armour's - which
were shut down yesterday as a result of
the butchers and meat cutters strike,
I killing was resumed today on small
scale. The other plants expect to be run
ming soon with new men. The big retail
| dealers have made arrangements to 10
their own killing temporarily and assert
that there will be no increase in prices of
meat, at least at present Quiet prevailed
today among the strikers.
Although the strike was principally in
the interest of unskfIled laborers, a num-
ber Of this class of laborers at Armours s
did not go out yesterday. These men do
not belong to the union, effort to or
ganize them. not having succeeded. These
unskilled laborers were put to work to-
day in the killing department. At this
plant 500 head Of cattle and 1000 hogs
had been bought.
The management stated that they ex-
pected to increase their force gradually
]. p. Cudahy of the Cudahy Packing
Company, in statement intimated that
his company intended to make their plant
an open shop I'VE will hire all men who
are willing to work." said Mr. Cudahy,
regardless of whether they are union
men or not. We have from GOO to 800
non union men left in our plant and ex-
pect to hire all the men we need. We will
| first these men in cleaning up the
plant. After this work is done we expect
| to begin killing again.
Il believe that a majority of men who
went out, continued Mr.. Cudahy, will
| be back at work within two weeks
Many of them told me they were strik-
ing not because they wanted to- but be-
cause they wished to obey the strike or
der"
| The Cudahy plant always has been
strictly union.
number of women have appealed to the
Kansas City, Kan, flood relief committee
for aid, saying that their husbands, who
were packing house employees, were now
| Idle, and the shutting off of their income
coming on top of their losses by the recent
Hood. has left them destitute. The strike
Will work hardship to these persons, even
| If they receive strike benefits.
The strikers remain firm. They in most
cases stay away from the plants and seem
determined to carry on a peaceful cam
paign against their employers.
Slight Raise In Meat Prices.
Retail dealers say there will be no i'm
mediate increase in the price of meats in
this city as a result OF the packing house
ers have already arranged for a supply of
meat that will last several weeks, and
many will do their own killing. The big
hotels and the more important restaurants
have contract with dealers to furnish
their meats. and they profess to believe
that there will be no shortage in their sup
plies. Two of the local packing houses
least affected by the recent flood have sup
plies on hand sufficient, they say, to supply
the local trade for a month. One of these
houses, which bought literally at the stock
yards today is killing on a limited scale,
and will attempt to supply certain outside
trade also. The four other plants have sup
plies that will last the local trade probably
two or three days. In spite of this there
was a slight advance today at retail shops.