The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-21
Today's Weather.
Oregon and washington-Rain.
socIALIsTIc ORIGIN.

SoCIALISTIC ORIGIN.
The oregonian has discovered deepI
laid plot to tie up the Lewis and Clark
fair. The scheme is to hold mass
meeting of all the men at work on the
fair buildings and order general walk
out. Just what their grievances are is
not known. The men receive good
wages and short hours. The only ex-
cuse for the strike is that the walking
delegates that are walking disgrace
to all labor organizations, are in need
Of funds. Their revenue is derived
from two sources. One from the regu-
lar salary paid them by their interna-
tional union, and the other is the hold
up" graft realized from ordering strikes
and then compromising them for a
certain amount which goes into the
pockets Of the walking delegates. This
outfit Of hold up artists and dissemi-
nators OF discord all come from st.
Louis. where they piled their graft
as far as the people would stand IT.
The labor organizations Of Portland
are not in sympathy with these walk
ing delegates and do not indorse their
methods. They are more interested
in the success Of the fair and have by
their efforts done much to make 1t a
success. A large majority OF the men
working upon the various buildings
are satisfied. but as they belong to la
Dor organizations, and If majority
order a strike they must obey the
command. AS rule strikes are not
ordered except at teh instance OF the
walking delegates. and they always take
advantage of the situation. They know
that If work is delayed on the build
ings the contractors will be compelled
to accept any terms they may dictate
The men making nothing out Of the
concessions. Every dollar Of it goes
into the pockets of these imported
walking delegates. The Oregonian sums
ND the situation as follows:
Labor agitators who have come here
from the st. Louis exposition hav'
formed conspiracy to hold up th'
Lewis and Clark fair. They nave beer
working among the workmen at tn
fair grounds for several weeks, and
though they have not met with sue
cess. except in a moderate degree, the!
are planning general walkout for tni
week. They have called mass meet
ing of exposition workers for Tues
day night, at which they will make
desperate effort to call out all tn
workmen and stop work at the fair.
"This movement is not aided in an
way by Portland labor leaders. Fo
they are heartily in sympathy with Tn
fair and anxious to see 1t complete
and made a success. 1t emanates al
together from outside agitators, VIII
have come here more FOR the purpos
of causing trouble than anything els
They are irresponsible; they have n
interest in the fair; in fact, they al
completely hostile to 1t.
"The movement is not even genera
among the outside workmen who al
employed at the fair. 1t is being cai
ried on and agitated by small cliqu
of walking delegates who have
connection with the local union an
are working directly against their IL
terests.
1T is difficult to find the persons {
whom to place the blame, unless 1t
the agitators merely, but hatred t
ward the fair and the fair managemel
and all connected with it has been il
stilled into many workmen at the ia
grounds. The reason why the agit
tors should do this Is obvious enoug
but no explanation can be found I
the hatred Of the agitators themselv'
except that they are rabid socialist
who are bitterly opposed to any CO.
servative methods.
This climax is at hand. 1t is mere
a question whether the conservau
or the socialistic element will win.
the Tuesday night program takes pla
as scheduled, the agitators will make
desperate effort to obtain a genel
walkout and strike"