The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-25
Winnipeg's Six-Week Walkout
Finally Called on. :
Labor Leaders Fail To Obtain
Any Concessions.
TWO RIOTS DURING TROUBLE
Deaths Occurred and Strike
Leaders Were Seized.
Other Canadian Cities Call OF
Sympathetic Strikes.

Winnipeg, June 25.-After nearly
six weeks of industrial strife, Winni-
pegs general sympathetic strike has
been called off Shortly before mid
night last night the central strike
committee came to an agreement to
order all men back to work next
Thursday at IL M, exactly SIX
weeks from the time it was called.
While the strike committee has not
made an official announcement, the
decision, it is learned from authorita-
tive sources, is authentic.
It is understood the calling off of
the strike is unconditional. Confer
ences of labor leaders yesterday with
Premier Norris of Manitoba and 9TH
er provincial officials failed to obtain
any concessions, but it was indicated
a commission of investigation would
be appointed after the strike was
called off.
The general strike here was called
May Is in sympathy with metal work.
ers who had been on strike for sew
eral weeks to secure collective bar
gaining and recognition of the metal
trades council.
Practically every public and private
industry was tied up in the first walk
out.
FIremen, postoffice workers. city
hall employees, all joined with depart
1ncnI SIOI6 CleTkS, Street car CIHpAOycos
waterworks employees and men in de-
livery service.
1t is said that H. A. Robertson. K.
c., formerly judge of the kings bench,
will be the only member Of the Com
mission. He is in Ottawa at present.
h Famine stared Winnipeg citizens in
the face for many days, when stores
were closed for lack Of clerks and
milk, bread and other necessities were
almost unobtainable.
Food depots were established by the
city after the first few days and were
operated internationally until a few
days ago.
Many Other Cities Joined
Within a fortnight after the general
strike was called here, many western
Canadian cities had been similarly af-
fected. Calgary, where the "One Big
Union movement was launched at a
radical convention last winter, was
Edmonton, Regina. Vancouver and
other big cities of western Canada
suffered partial tie-ups.
Two Riots During Strike.
Two riots marked the course of the
strike here. The first, two weeks ago.
began when assembled strikers first
heckled and then attacked Mayor
constab les who replaced the dis
charged police force. One Canadian
sergeant, a winner of the Victoria CROSS
in Flanders, was dangerously wound
ed by a bullet and a score or more
strikers were injured.
Last Saturday an attempt to hold a
''massed silent parade" in violation of
Mayor Gray's orders resulted in the
deaths Of two strikers, and the wound
ing or injury. of two score strikers.
constables, and mounted police. At
the height of the outbreak. Mayor
Gray read the riot act and the main
street near the city hall was placed
under control of the military, with
Brig. Gen. H. c. B. Ketchen in COM
mand.
Seized Strike Leaders.
A week ago today the dominion au-
thorities sprang a coup by an early
morning seizure of eleven strike lead
ers, who were taken from their beds
and rushed to Stoney Mountain peni-
Tertiary. A few days later all but four
| aliens were released on bonds and con-
ferences with union labor traders on
the strike committee resulted in an
nouncement that they would be given
trials in open court. instead.of the de-
portation proceedings which federal
authorities at first announced would
be instituted.
The strikes at Edmonton and Cal
gary, Alta, which were called in SYM
pathy with the Winnipeg strike, were
called off last night and similar action
| in Vancouver and Victoria, B. c., was
predicted for today by labor leaders.