The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-24

| BILE to Swift & CO., the great number
| OF strikers returning to work diseour-
! aging the union men from making
| other efforts during the day
"A lack of energy was displayed I'M
| til the arrival of the message from
| President Donnelly, after which there
was a revival that carried the men
| through the day. The unionists gath
| cred some satisfaction from the fact
| that the hog killing department was
entirely idle, and the sheep killing de-
partment comparatively so. 1t was
conceded for the first time during the
| strike that the company has enough
men to handle the cattle being re-
ce1ved at the yards. although it was
asserted that half of the expert
butchers remain out.
Supt. Burns admitted that the hog
killing department was entirely idle,
but held that the sheep and cattle
killing floors We're in full operation.
The union men denied this and pro-
dueed reports alleged to have come
from the inside, showing that there
was but one man at work on the sheep
killing floor.
Supt. Burns insisted that there is
now in the plant sufficient number
of men to take care of the stock re-
ceived, and that SO far as the plant is
concerned the strike is practically at
strike of the allied trades would have
, much effect at the South st. Paul
plant Burns said that if the stock
receipts should increase to a conSid-
cradle extent a number of butchers
will be needed in addition to those
now at work.
Men Are Not Disheartened
1--WE are not disheartened," said Bus
mess Agent Steep. of the union, al
though the outlook is not as bright as
it might be. We concede that the Swift
people have induced a number of men
to return to their positions. but these
will not exceed seventy-fve, ten above
my estimate of yesterday. All of these
men are being notified by letter of the
serious nature of the step they are TAX
ing, and we believe that when the
question is pressed upon their atten-
ton they will realize the error they
have committed and will again walk
out We are so tied up with the gem
eral strike that the South st. Paul sit
| uation is not SO diScouraging as it 9TH
erwise would be-"
The claims of the company and the
strikers are as far apart as at any time
since the strike was declared. The
| union officers admit that they lost
ground yesterday, while the company
asserts that enough men came back to
operate the plant. The estimate of the
company is that there are $50 men at
work in the plant, and the union con-
cedes $50, but the union contends that
it still controls nine-tenths of the eX-
pert workmen.
1t is on these men that the union de-
ponds for a victory, acknowledgment
being made that the situation so far
as it concerns the labOrerS is beyond
the control of the local union, and that
the only hope of these workmen lies in
the ability to tie up the plants in other
cities.
No effort was made yesterday by the
union men to prevent the entrance to
the plant of non-union men, except
that eXerted by suasion. There was a
complete absence of force. The only
opportunity for trouble occurred when
the large number of men arrived at the
plant in the morning and left in the
afternoon. The Workmen entering the
plant so far outnumbered the pickets
on duty that the latter did not attempt
to interfere, if they had any such in
tention. President Willis had again
commanded that strict order be OBJ
served, and his command was obeyed.
Travelling Men Take the Road
Swift & Co. ordered their travelling
men, who were called in a week ago,
to again begin soliciting, it being an.
nounced that the concern will in the
received. This action was taken at
time when the prospect of a sympa-
thetic strike by the allied trades was
being discussed, and was taken to
mean that the company considered it
self master of the situation. Since be-
ing called in the travelling men have
been doing the work of laborers in the
plant, remaining there night and day
until Wednesday evening.
Explaining the situation and dis
cussing matters from the standpoint
of the company, Supt. Burns said:
In view of what he said to Manager
Banks and myself I cannot understand
the statement of President Willis, of
the union, that there was discrimina-
ton in the employment of the men. 1
can say positively that there was moth
ing of the kind, although it was i'm
possible for US to employ all the men
because of the light receipts of stock,
as has been stated. If there was ap-
parent discrimination it but bears out
what / stated on several occasions, that
a majority of those active in doirsg
picket duty were not really competent
employees If they were refused en-