Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-05-17
BIC SYMPATHETIC STRIKE.
TWELVE HUNDRED EMPLOYEES OF
ALLEN TANNERY QUIT BE-
CAUSE IS WALKED OUT.
WORK OF LABOR AGITATOR.
Aliens Do Not Know Why Their Men
Struck, as No Demands Have
Been Made.

KENOSHA, Wis, May 14.-[Special.]
"A general strike was inaugurated at
the plant of the n. r. Aliens Sons Tan
merry company here this morning, and at
8 o'clock every one of the 1900 men en-
pIoyed at the plant had thrown down
their tools and joined the strikers and
there is every indication that the strike
will be one of the worst labor fights ever
known in Kenosha.
Agitators Stir Up Trouble.
The strike was started by the sixteen
buffers who went out yesterday and 1t
seemed to be OF little effect at first Last
night the town was pretty we'll filled up
with agitators and by this morning every
man employed at the plant had been won
over to the ranks Of the strikers. Ihe
men are now picketing the plant and the
company has demanded police protection.
Police Surround Tannery.
Early this morning every police officer
that could be mustered in the city was
hurried to the tannery and Chief Oher
and Assistant Chief NeWhOuSe took
plant.
During the morning hours the strikers
made no effort to secure a conference
with the managers Of the plant and there
was absolutely no signs OF any settle
ment.
Strikers Are Foreigners.
Most of the men are foreigners and
IN this lays the great danger. Recalling
the trouble OF a year ago, the mana gers
of the big plant are taking every possible
precautiOE to protect the plant and 1t Is
possible that they will make an early
call for troops.
The managers have not as yet been
advised as to what the men demand save
in the case of the sixteen buffers who
went out originally and it is thought
possible that the other ZOO men are
striking in sympathy.
The saloons in the neighbOrhood of the
tannery are crowded with men and the
strike is being discussed in loud tones
and labor agltatOrs are adding fuel to
the flames of Indignation on the part of
the strikers.
Will Shut Down Plant.
Charles w. Allen was seen just after
10 clock and he ISSUED Il statement Ill
regard to the trouble. He SAID:
we have met no committee of the
strikers and we have not been advised as
to what they demand or the cause OF
strike. l think, however, that L can
say that it means general shut down OF
the plant for an indefinite period. This
is only one of the 1O1 plants operated
by the Central Leather company and we
can better afford to shut it down than
grant any demands at this time"
NIr. Allen said that he regretted deep
ly that this trouble should occur.
Expect Officials Soon.
| It is understood that the officials Of
| the Central Leather company have been
! notified of the conditions in kenOSha
| and it is expected that some of them
will arrive here late this afternoon or
| early tomorrow morning. Mr.. Allen
stated that so far as he knew the call
! had not been made for troops and that
| the conditions at the present were not
! alarming.
1t is known that the managers of the
| company are ready to ask for state
local deputies and police be unable to
| take care of the situation. The strikers
are drinking freely and it is feared that
| late this afternoon when the men get
| drunk there will be serious trouble at
| the plant.
| There is not a wheel turning this after
noon and it is not expected that should a
| settlement be reached that the men will
return to work today
Largest Plant in Combine.
| The Allen plant is the largest plant
| owned by the Central Leather company
| and it was valued at $S,OOO,OOO at the
| time the combination of the leather in
| terests was made. Mr.. Allen states that
| the company has not at the present
time a large amount of perishable prod
ucts in the watts and that a shut down
for an indefinite period would not make
any great financial difference to the COM