The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1912-04-01

CHICAGO, April j. - Those
jackals. of industry, the profess
sional strikebreakers. are getting
ready to pick up big money in the
coming great CONFUSION in the
coal industry.
In a spread eagle advertise
ment widely circulated. Bergoff
Bros, claiming to be the largest
strikebreaking bureau in the
world" offer to take entire
charge of the situation for any
company, furnish all kinds Of
rpn-union help, establish a mill
tAry system and feed and lodge
all help.
Bergoff brothers admit they
are great stuff. In their adver-
tisement they swell all up over
having broken hundreds or
strikes and they point with pride
to some half dozen famous affairs
like the Philadelphia street rail-
road strike when, you remember,
las tough gang of blood thirsty
devils as ever shoveled Goals in
Hades invaded Philadelphia as
car operators and guards.
The main office of Bergoff
Bros. is in Chicago at 154 West
Randolph street and ] went there
to call on 'em. 1t wasn't much
office. When you go in you see
bare room, divided by partition.
You scrape your feet bit and
man comes to view slowly in a
window in the partition. l asked
for Mr.. Bergoff and the face duck
ed.
A banker-looking old fellow
next stuck his features into the
window frame, sized me up and
wagged his head at well dressed
young man who came forward
and said he was A. G. Bergoff.
Having been "old-sleuthed" by
three of Bergoff's staff, I asked
the third "how's business"
How dye mean?"
care the coal companies max
ing arrangement to break the
coal strike when 1t comes?"
ut would be breach of con-
fidence to answer that" said A.
C. Bergoff.
What do you yourself think
about it,"
Well, we-that is, this bu-
reau-haven't paid much atten-
ton to the situation west of
Pittsburg.- We expect to see the
worst trouble in the anthracite
region. l don't mind telling you
that I understand the anthracite
operators have taken precautions
to protect their property; that
means, also, men who do not
strike. / believe they expect a
long strike.
This is the largest strike
breaking bureau in the world.
Many of the largest concerns in
America owe the successful out
coming of strikes to our men.
Some of our satisfied customers
are"-(see ADVERTISEMENT
Does the strikebreaker make
more money out of this sort of
work than at a regular trader"
Naturally he does make more,
the risk Is greater"
Pretty dangerous job for the
guard. isn't it?"
Dangerous? Sometimes. But
generally the danger Is no greater
than a Chicago policemans. We
have a large force of men always
ready to jump out to anywhere IN
America. We pay them, the
owner pays us in total amounts.
THE guard is working for dol
lars and cents, We are working
for dollars and cents, the strike
breaker works for dollars and
cents, the owner breaks, or tries
to break, the strike for dollars
and cents. OF course, it's tough
on a striker to see some other fell
low doing bis work, and when his |
temper gets the better of him and
he starts something why - wei
stop that Immediately and effect
lively.
HHow?"
How does a policeman stop a
riot?"
you conduct your operations
along military lines" I suggested.
Exactly. Now there is Cap
tain George Wilson," waving his
hand in the direction of the old
dressy one l took for a banker.
Capt. Wilson is commander of
the guards We send out
TvnTrAT Ga