The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-10
Strike Troubles in
Kansas City
Governor May Be Forced to
Call Out State Troops

/. Kansas City, Mo- Dec. 5-(By the
Associated Press. 1.-The Kansas
Court Of Industrial Relations today
Informed Mayor Harry B. Burton
of Kansas City, Kan, and Henry
T. thinner, chief Of police, that un-
less crowds surrounding the pack
ing plants were dispersed by to-
morrow morning the industrial
court would telegraph Governor
Henry ]. Allen to declare martial
law in Kansas City, Kan, and or
der the State militia to take charge
of the situation.
The ultimatum of the court to
tne city authorities was delivered at
conference in Mayor Burton's
Office late today, at which the three
members of the industrial court,
the mayor, the chief of police and
superintendent from several pack
ing plants were present.
Earlier in the day a number OF
trucks attempting to cross to Kan
sas City, Mo, to make local dellv-
,ries of meat, were turned back by
strike sympathizers. One truck
driver was pulled from his seat and
beaten.
Claim $1,000 Men Are Out
Chicago, Dec. 5-(Ry the AS
sociated Press)-At the close of
the first day Of the strike Of pick
ing house workers, union officials
announced that 41,0OO workers in
packing houses throughout the
country were on strike, >while
spokesmen for the packers as
serted Chicago plants were operat-
ing with full forces, while plants
in Others centres all continued
work.
Twenty-nine thousand workers
in packing house centres outside
Chicago responded 70 a strike call
today, according to statement to-
night by Dennis Lane. secretary OF
the Amalgamted MeMat Cutters
and Butcher Workmen of North
America, which called the strike
after a wage cut averaging 10 per
cent had been decided On by plant
assemblies, composed of represen-
tatives of employers and workers
through which the packing COM
panies propose to settle questions
affecting the workmen. More than
1900 workers employed by the
big five in Chicago walked out to-
day, according to Mr.. Lane.
Spokesman for the "bis five"
gave figures to show that only
about 1000 men were out in Chi
cago while the number on strike
at independent plants was given
by packing officials as about the
same number.
According to Mr.. Lane, approx
miately 2S per cent Of the Chi
cago workers reported for work to-
day. Il am satisfied that torlor-
row morning will see the packing
establishments closed tight, because
this element will join the majority
now" he said. Four independent
packing concerns in Chicago and
two outside the cay. settled with
the strikers today, Mr.. Lane said.
According to the packers, there
were two men waiting for every
job that was vacant and men be-
ing hired to fill the places Of the
strikers.
There was no violence in con-
nection with the first days strike
here but at ST. Paul several persons
were slightly injured when a group
of commission men clashed with
strikers.
Practically all employees of the
Denver packing plants were strik-
ing, company officials admitted to-
day and tonight an order was is
sued in District Court demanding
that the workmen return to their
Jobs pending investigation Of the
dispute by the Colorado Industrial
Commission.