Evening journal., 1919-11-29
LEATHER STRIKERS
CASE RETIRED
John A. Grant Makes State
ment in City Court For
Union
JUDGE FINGER ALSO
MAKES STATEMENT

Deputy Judge Finger, in Municipal
Court THIS morning. retired the case in
vOlylng William Stilley. a workman at
the New Castle Leather Company, and
Miss Carrie Cunningham, a picket for
the leather strikers at that plant, which
grew into "a controversy between the
company officials and the union OIL
clals as 20 the present status OF the
strike. J. Frank Ball was attorney FOR
the union.
Judge Finger, after John 4. Grant.
president Of the United Leather Work
ers Union, had presented a statement
II the union on the strike. made clear
the statement that he made at the trial
OF Stillcy. who was charged with as
sault and battery on the Cunningham
girl
Had anyone concerned in or affected
by the case asked permission to be
heard when The Official OF the leather
company made his statement at the
trial. he would not have been denied,
Judge Finger stated mo one asked
for the privilege. Some Of the state
ments Of both sides We're immaterial
as far as the case before the court was
J
only fair that the statement OF the
union should be heard utter the COM
pany had stated It's side, but there was
nothing in The unions statement that
would vibrant the court to reopen the
case or TO in any way affect the judg-
ment in the case.
As 10 the statement made by him at
the trial Of Stilley. Judge Finger said
that there seemed TO be an impression
that he had made a finding that the
strike must be called or. lie remarked
that that is an issue that is beyond the
province Of the court 10 determine, ana
that il was not for him 10 determine
which OF the statements, that Of ;he
company or that OF the union so far
as the causes Of the strike are con-
cerned, was correct.
The practice Of the court N not
finally dispOsing Of breach Of the peace
cases and similar cases at the first = ar
ing. but 10 continue them so that the
difficulties between the parties in
volved might be adjusted, Judge Finger
explained 10 the union representatives.
Il was in accordance with this custom
that Miss Cunningham was ordered 20
report to the court today, the regular
monthly reporting day in the court.
The union was represented by Mr
Grant and James Kane.
The statement presented by Mr.. Grant
follows:
Your honor: In view Of the fact that
certain statements have been made re-
garding the strike at the plant Of the
New Castle Leather Company, in VIII
mington, Delaware, / desire, on behalf
Of the organization ! represent, to pre-
sent the unions side OF the said situa-
tion.
] would. therefore, call attention TO
the following, facts:
1. The strike at the New Castle
Leather Company's plant was entered
into and has been continued because
there was a deliberate and continued at
tempt. on the part Of the company's OH
cials. to discriminate against our
union: and not because two disorderiy
men were discharged.
. The strike was not a general
strike Of the workmen Of the whole
plant, but a strike Of certain depart
ments. these departments responding
one hundred per cent, with none OF
the striking workers returning.
u.
interest Of those who came out on
strike. until q settlement can be reached
which settlement we are ready to ap-
proach through conferences with OIL
cials Of the company. The unions rea-
son for continuing the strike is TO pro-
tect union men and women and sym
pathizers with uniOnism, all or whom
are prevented from going to work there.
4. There have been no breaches OF
the peace hetween our pickets and the
people Of the New Castle Leather Com
pany. except one in the early stages OF
the strike. and the present Carrie Gun
ningham case.
.. There have. however, been various
attempts 20 create breaches by New
Castle Leather Company people which
the sslf-restraint Of our members on
the picket line have prevented. We
might cite the following specific times
ta) A company official snatched a
card out Of one Of our members hats,
without the least provOcation.
10 4 company official said openly
in the street when Carrie Cunningham
was slapped, that they all ought to be
slapped
(c) A Mexican OF Spanish company
worker was sent out 10 threaten one OF
our members when he was peacefully
picketing. because our organization was
advertising the fact that Mexican and
spanish workers were being used
against American citizens as strike
breakers on this occasion one Of the
leather company officials called our
members "faker, liar, CRATER" and other
vile names.
6. Our members have always con-
ducted themselves as peaceable, law
abiding citizens Of Wilmington and
America. and their restraint has al
ways been perfect.
:. In pointing out that the strike
has not ended, it is desired to state
public that our union stands ready to
abide by the arbitration OF the reasons
that led for the calling OF the
strike: that the strike is not a technical
strike. but an official strike sanctioned
by vote OF the membership, that can
only be terminated after an agreement
has been effected and voted satisfac-
tory 10 a majority Of numbers Of our
union.