The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-01-14
MASS MEETING
l.. OF union MEN
SECOND MEETING HELD IN AS
sEM5LY HALLS TO DISCUSS
CONDITIONS PREVAILING IN
CITY AT PRESENT TIME-HAN.
COCK TAKES ISSUE. = :

There was another meeting in AS
sembly halls last night to discuss the
local labor situation. Several speak,
ers addressed the gathering on varf-
GUS phases Of the situation.
The first speaker was Geo. Han
cock, MT. Hancock told the men that
he would probably say some things
that they did not agree with, and he
dld. At n time, some Of the men in
che audience attempted to interrupt
the speaker, but these were suppress
ed, and the most Of those present
showed a disposition to hear the
speakers through, no matter whether
their views conceded or not.
Mr.. Hancock asked the men if they
were willing TO arbitrate, and what
questions they wished to arbitrate.
Mr.. Young, who spoke for the union
men, replied that they were willing to
arbltrate n and all questions which
Were at issue.
MT. Hancock characterized the CON
d1tion existing at present as a cross
between a strike and a lockout. He
told the men that they were playing
a losing game, and hat the closed
shop principle cannot be worked out.
He stated that construction work in
the city at present Is at q ~standstill,
Tor people will not go ahead with any
AAaN VI S1lS uCLiOl WOEk While the
present conditions exist. The pub
lie is as much interested in this mat
ter as are the individuals directly
concerned on either side.
Mr.. Young, who followed, took issue
with Mr.. Hancock. and denied the
rumor which he said had gone; out
that the unions a been guilty Of
violent methods in this city. He stat
ed that the purpose Of organization
is protection. and advocated the the
ory Of a division Of the profits, some
such scheme as Is now being put into
effect by Henry Ford.
He characterized the, statements
sent out by the employers in declar-
ing for open shop as unfair, and stat
willingly, n on all the points at is
sue. .... ~...
In speaking of the apprentice stu
alton which was brought up at the
various meetings, he said that the
masters did not make the efforts they
should to teach the rudiments of the
trade to the apprentices.
A. T. Cole addressed the meeting,
also. He said that the statement
which he had heard expressed on both
sides. that there was nothing to ar
bitrate, could not be true, for work
has stopped. there u.s. a controversy
and there must be something to arbi-
rate NOL only Inc the GilpiuyeTS
and employees are affected. but every
body in the city.
There are many kinds of strikes,
said Mr.. Cole. In 1907 there was a
strike declared by capital. a manufac~
tured panic which paralyzed the in
dustries of the country. by tying up
money, and brought suffering and
hardship TO the entire country. Labor
strikes have the same effect, and
should not continue any longer than
can be, avoided.
Mr.. Cole commended the union men
for their manifest fairness in the mat
ter, demonstrated by the calling of
meeting to discuss the situation pro
and con He also commented on the
fact that there a been no violence
in this affair, and this was to the
credit of the men involved.
-. S. Elliott of the typographical
union spoke briefly, discussing the sit
uation In Calumet and in Colorado.
where there has been suffering and
bloodshed, In marked contrast to the
mild condition of affairs existing here.
Mr.. Elliott stated that it was not a
question of wages or hours of labor.
lbut that the principle of ~unionisrn is
at stake. the very life blood of this la
tboring class. 1t lis a question of union
or no union, he said, and he advised
the men to stick together, and to hold
to the principle OF unionism.
Rev. Mr.. Boone, of the Methodist
church in Moorhead. spoke to the
gathering also, and brought out the
various points at issue, advising arbi-
! tration II possible