Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-03-30

chicago Was proko0s IL. HoUStts
came 20 the oonclusioa that ~
would close down because there
was NO assurance that future axres-
msuts with the men would be kept
Understanding Win nebsrts.
Charles Matsen. president OF the
local. today said he had gone to
Chicago on March ~. prior to the
calling of tho strike. to DISCUSS with
President Roberts the local situation.
In Chicago no met with John Blaha,
an organiser Of the union, and WILL
lam Davis, one Of the vice-presidents
Of the international, who accompan-
led him to tho conference.
He was told by MP. Roberts that
working agreement would be en-
tered into between the company and
the men. IN accordance with agree
msnts existing between other Iowa
packing plants and their employer.
TO determine Just what conditions
existed In other plants would require
ten days or two weeks, In the opin-
lon OF Mr.. Roberts. II was under
stood between Mr.. Roberts, Mr.. Mat
sen and the Chicago union officials.
that the men were to remain at work
until an agreement could be pre-
pared, and Mr.. Matsen came back TO
instruct the men to remain on the
lob and await developments.
Finds Conditions DisoouragIng.
During his absence, however. Mr..
Matsen said, conditions In tho local
plant had become more unsatisfac-
tory and the men demanded an inn
mediate walk out. The understand
ins between Mr.. Roberts and MI.
Matsen was explained but the men
held that they had been taken adj
vantage Of and that the company had
taken some actions which could not
be overlooked, even temporarily.
The company was trying to preaK
the union, Mr.. Matsen said. and de-
oIared that while he was In Chicago
several union men had been dismiss
ed and non union men had been TAX
en- back. It was evident, ne sabu'
from statements made by one OF the
u,perintendents that it was the pur-
nose Of the company to break the
union. and the men would no longer
wait but declared their Intention OF
calling an immediate strike.
says Plant Has Been Losing.
General Manager Graham Is au-
thortty for the statement that the
Roberts & Oake plant here has oeen
losing money EVER since it was start
ed owing to market conditions.
When the strikers went out the
con,pany was left, Graham said, Win
1.75o, 900 pounds Of pork In various
stages of process In the plant. some
Q. the strikers wanted to return 10
help cut I'D and otherwise care &c.
this meat up to the point OF making
1t ready for shipment. Radicals IN
the organization are said to nave
prevented this move.
Graham expects to get help enough
to make this product ready for snip
ment, ship It out and clean and shut
up the buildings. How long the plant
will be closed he could not say. The
company was left with thirteen cars
of live hogs it could not kill because
of the strike. These were shipped
to Chicago. "
Radicals In Control.
That q radical element, containing,
perhaps, 1t is suspected, some I. w.
WIS, Is in control Of the workers
who went on a strike is in evidence.
This is shown by the fact that q
minority Of tho employees did not
want to strike and that . minority
wanted to return to work to
help clean up product in process, but
were prevented from doing both, and
that q minority has wanted to return
to, work since the strike has been
called.
Officials Appeal to Sheriff.
Before receiving instructions this
morning from Chicago to close the
plant, Mr.. Graham appealed to the
sherifrs office for protection. hav-
ing failed to receive what he believed
to be sufficient service from the city
police.
Mr.. Graham said strikers had con-
gregated and had interfered with
workers and the police had reported
to the city council that no picketing
or congregating had been apparent.
According to the statement Of the
packing company's official, the strik-
ers at times congregated in groups
numbering upwards of forty men. He
said picketing had continued almost
uninterruptedly.
He discussed the situation with
Sheriff Henry, who was arranging
for a conference with County Attor-
nov, A n uoovor uyhon wOr6 came
to close the plant.