The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-20
NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR DENIES
THAT TROOPS WERE SENT TO BREAK
STRIKE OF The TEXTILE WORKERS
Says That State Has Not Lost
Confidence in Labor to
Such an Extent.
THREE ADDITIONAL MILLS
TO RESUME WORK MONDAY
With the Opening of These Only
Two or Three Left Idle as
Result of Strike.
(Hy The Associates Press)


CONCORD, N. c., Aug. 19.--'I dignity
and deny the rumor that troops were sent
here to help break this strike,' declared
Governor Morrison here today in an ad-
dress at an open-air mass meeting Of tex
tile workers. mill owners and others. esti-
mated at four or five thousand in mum
Der. including four hundred textile work
ars who marched from Kannapolis. seven
miles away, headed by two men in ani-
form carrying an American flag
.'It's a lie as black as ever was born
In hell!'' the governor continued. Surely
my state has not lost confidence in labor
to such an extent as to think armed force
would be used to violate any right OF
yours
Governor Morrison made it clear that
he had sent troops to Cabarras county
"only to preserve order" and mot to take
sides in this controversy" anu declared
that 'if any Of these soldiers are found
lining up as partisans with either side. /
will use my influence as their commander
In chief to see that they are dismissed
from the service"
The strike was rooted in a deep eco
nomic issue over which he as governor
could exercise no authority, he declared,
and 1t must be settled finally upon an
economic basis by those who are parties
to the controversy. He made 1t clear that
he had not come to the scene of the con-
flict to assume the role OF mediator, but
TO outline what he conceived to be the
rights OF those on the two sides of the
contest, in response to insfstent appeal
from James f. Barrett, president of the
State Federation of Labor, and other
labor leaders.
II beg in conclusion" said the gov
hat ha fnff .frx4c
in this community quickly come together
as brothers and establish law and order
and quiet in your community and II this
Industrial conflict cannot be settled,
which / devoutly hope the parties to 1t
can do, then let 1t proceed until one side
or the other has whipped in a peaceful
economic contest
The rights Of workers individually or
In groups to enter into contracts with
employers ''if they can find employers
willing to contract with them" were up
held by the governor, likewise the right
of employers to deal with whomsoever
they choose.
The governor said that the three COM
panies OF troops in this vicinity would be
just as soon as the local au-
felt that they could themselves
control the situation.
Chief of Police Robinson indicated later
that in his opinion the situation would
warrant the withdrawal Of troops some
time next week.
Three additional mills, the Franklin,
the Gibson. and the Cabarrus, of Concord.
all OF the Cannon system, viii resume op-
Grafton Monday, according to an an
made late today by Major
Ralph r.. Faison. who said that detach-
ments of troops would be withdrawn from
mills now operating without disturbance
and placed at these mills Monday morn
ing, to remain there as long as necessary.
With the opening of these three mills
only two or three would be left idle in
this county as a result OF the general
strike OF June /.