The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-12
TWIN CITIES ARE
PREP AIRING FOR
GENERAL STRIKE
OF ALL UNION men
Order is Expected to Af-
feet 10000 Men In
Two Cities
TAKES PRECAUTIONS
AGAINST DISORDERS
Several Hundred Deputy
Sheriffs and Home
Guards on Duty
TAKES PRECAUTIONS
AGAINST DISORDERS

Minneapolis, Mimi, Dec. 12-Sev-
eral local unions that have not yet
voted on the question OF striking to-
morrow in sympathy with twin city
street car men who are demanding
| permission to wear their union but
tons despite a ruling to the contrary
by the state public safety commission
held meetings today to take action
| on the matter.
Meantime big industries were max
ing plans to meet the tie-up threat
! ened by the order for sympathetic
| strikes decided upon by representa-
tives Of the allied unions in the twin
cities. Labor leaders have declared
/ that every effort will be made to
maintain order. Nevertheless the
authorities are taking unusual pre-
cautionary measures and in addition
to the several hundred deputy sheriffs
who have been sworn in q number OF
home guard companies viii be placed
! on duty at various points in the city
immediately after the strike order
becomes effective. d
I Only federal Intervention or revoca-
I tion, of the safety commissions order,
labor leaders intimated, would be
deemed sufficient cause for resCind-
ing the strike order, which, they
declare, viii affect 10000 men in the
| two cities.
st. Paul. Mimi. Dec. 12.-Railroad
shopmenu on the transcontinental
lines throughout the northwest as
well as members of local unions
voted today on the proposal to accede
to the call for a. general walkout OF
union men tomorrow in support of
the dissatisfied traction employees. 1t
was said by local labor leaders that
shops from st. Paul TO the coast
might be closed in the event of a
o, sion IA sulaole to their plan. Con-
tracts and wage agreements with
the railroads, they declared would
be disregarded on the ground that
the constitutional rights Of labor
unionists are involved in the traction
controversy. The result of the vote
will not be announced until mid
night.
Oficers OF local unions declared
indications were that their call would
be s0beyed by large proportion OF
union men, but employers were
doubtful whether all unions, ea~
peeiaIly those working nnder con-.
i tracts, would go ont.
Railroad Bnopmen were influential
in bringing about the postponement
OF the walkout planned for last week
arguing that the fair treatment they
received from the roads made IL un-
desirable that they leave them In
such a crisis as now exists,
Importance OF the shopmen's de6i-
sion is pointed out by both labor
| trafflc of all kinds might be seriously
affected in the event OF their quitting
work. e
Will Close Saloons.
st. Paul, Mimi, Dec. 12.-Saloons
in st. Paul and Minneapolis will be
closed tomorrow in the event OF a
general walkout OF union labor in
sympathy with dissatisfied carmen,
Governor BurnQuist indicated today.
Saloon men voluntarily closed their
places last week when a general
strike was threatened.
Whether additional home guards
will be called to the twin cities will
be decided late today, Adjutant Cen
eral Rhinow said.
Conference At Washington.
washington, Dec. 12.-Industria1
unrest in Minneapolis where q gem
eral strike OF $4,000 men is threaten
ed, was discussed today at confer
ences between Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Fedora
tion OF Labor, and member Of the
advisory commission Of the council
of national defense. and two repre-
sentatives of the Minneapolis unions,
George w. Lawson, secretary Of the
Minnesota Federation OF Labor, and
J.. G. Colgan. Government officials
are keeping themselves Informed OF
the progress OF efforts to avert q
walkout, but it was said authorita-
lively that Intervention by the coun-
ell Of national defense is not con-
templated at this time.