Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-31
REVOLT OF
LABOR IN
CANADA IS
SPREADING
Minister at Toronto Thinks
Aim Is to Overthrow Gov
ernment; Says Movement
Deserves No. Sympathy.

Winnipeg, Man, May 30.-Arbi-
tration of the differences between
the Metal Trades council of Win
nipeg and the leading industrial
employees was officially begun this
afternoon at an hour when tension
caused by the general strike dead
lock, which began May IS, seemed
to be approaching the breaking
point.
For the first time since the gen.
eral walkout, crowds of idle men
paraded through the business dis
tricts jeering persons who were do
ing work usually performed by un-
ion men. Some of these marchers
joined delegation of returned SOL
diers who paraded to the parliament
building and insisted that the gov
ernment do something at once"
The men we're told that the govern
ment was considering the advisibil-
ity of legislation to enforce the prin-
ciple of collective bargaining and
that the offer of mediation by exec
utives of the railway brotherhoods
had been accepted by the leading
forces concerned.
The demonstration dispersed after
these announcements were made,
but told Premier T. c. Norris that
they would march to parliament
again at II a. M tomorrow.
Change Program.
Success of the railway brother
hoods in initiating the first move
ment toward actual arbitration made
since the strike began caused city
officials to make changes in the pro-
gram arranged for today. Nothing
was done regarding resumption of
street car service. The matter of
immediate dismissal of policemen
who refused to sign the anti-sympa-
thetic strike pledge was left for de-
cision at a special council meeting
this evening.
About 100 regular firemen have
returned to work, it was announced
at the office of city fire commits
sioner. Announcement was made at
Mayor Charles F. Gray's office that
$50 of the city's 1000 employees who
went on strike have been reinstated
and that a few others have applied
for their former positions.
Senator Gideon Robertson, federal
minister of labor, today sent the fol-
lowing message to the mayors of
Fort William and Port Arthur, Ont:
"It is currently reported that
Joint meeting of Fort William and
Port Arthur trades councils has been
called for this afternoon for the
purpose of taking sympathetic &C
ton with Winnipeg workmen now
on strike.
Deserve No Sympathy.
after carefully going into the
whole situation here since last
Wednesday, I am fully convinced
that the general strike at Winnipeg
deserves no sympathy from organ
lied labor outside. The underlying
motive in calling the strike is, in
my opinion, undoubtedly intended to
be a blow at international trade
unions and in support of the One
Big Union movement. and with the
probable intention of seeking to
overthrow constitutional affairs and
government, both as to federal, pro-
vincial and municipal affairs"
Strike Begun In Toronto
Toronto, Ont, May 30.-Orders
for the sympathetic strike to begin
today to aid the striking metal
workers who are demanding a A.
hour week, higher wages and i'm
proved shop conditions. we're obey
ed by large number of unionists in
Toronto. The city employees have
not yet quit, nor have the federal
governments employees on the rail-
roads. or street railwaymen.
The mayor has sent out an ap-
peal to the citizens, asking for main
tenance of the peace A committee
of 10000 persons is being organized,
it was stated this evening, to help
local authorities in the, event of
need.
Utilities Maintained.
Ottawa, Ont. May 30.-In state
ment today defining the attitude of
the Canadian government toward
strikes now in progress in the Do
Sir Robert Borden, prime
minister, declared that despite "un-
fortunate labor difficulties in a few
cities" public utilities are still being
maintained and, except for a brief
period in one city, the public has
suffered no serious inconvenience.
There have been no riots, the state
ment added.