The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-06
FEARING TROOPS
MEAT STRIKERS
STOP PICKETINC
Kansas City Mayor and Negro
Leader Win Argument.
Industrial Court Threat Brings
Quiet to Plants.
LITTLE VIOLENCE IS REPORTED
Packers Declare Operations Not
Hindered by Walk-Outs.
Union Chiefs Declare More to
Join Strike Today.
Industrial Court Threat Brings
Quiet to Plants.
little VIOLENCE IS REPORTED
Packers Declare Operations Not
Hindered by WaIk-Outs.

afternoon there was no indication that
a request would be made to Governor
Allen for state troops to take charge
OF the packing strike situation in
Kansas City, Kan.
The packing house district was
quiet. Members of the Kansas court
of industrial relations. who warned
yesterday that unless strikers ceased
tactics of intimidation and broke up
gatherings around the packing plants
they would ask for national guards
men, sad. after a tour of inspection
this morning, that the situation was
much relieved. Union leaders con-
tinued claims that from 85 to 95 per
cent of the workers in the "big five"
pants were out.
More Men Are Hired.
Packing officials said the employ
1nent situation was improved today,
some new men being hired. They in
sisted most departments were operat-
ing. Some strikers returned to work
and others desired to go back. but
hesitated because of fears of violence,
officials Of the companies declared.
Fewer than a dozen motor trucks left
the plants this morning with meat
supplies for retail shops in Greater
Kansas City. They were not molest-
ed. More trucsk were to be sent out
this afternoon, it was announced.
Strikers Fear Troops.
The seconl day of the packing plant
oH
with union leaders making frantic ef-
forts to each strikers and warn them
to remain away from company prop
erty, and with officials watching the
situation closely, prepared, they said,
to request natiOni' guardsmen if un-
toward developments should take
place
The decision to stay away from the
gates was taken after Mayor Henry
Burton and C. w. Reed, negro leader
Of the strikers, had addressed the
meeting. Both men told the strikers
that congregations in the district such
as formed yesterday would not be
permitted today.
Members of the Kansas court of in
dustrial relations, here to investigate
the packing industry in connection
with the strike, remained over today
to watch developments. The court
was prepared. it was stated, to carry
out the terms of a notice served upon
city officials, that in the event of trou-
ble, Governor II. J. Allen would be
requested to send in guardsmeu-
Meantime conflicting statements as
to the actual number of men who
obeyed the strike order continued to
be made by company officials and
strike leaders. The company officials
l. h0
plants were far from crippled by the
walkout while the union heads de-
Clared the number of strikers who
walked out yesterday was materially
increased today.
Mayor Inspects Plants.
At 5 o'clock this morning Harry B.
Burton mayor of Kansas City, Kan,
and H T. thinner, chief of police, be-
gar a round of the packing houses
Nowhere was there a crowd of any
size. Strikers had apparently taken
the advice of their leaders, circulated
by word of mouth, over night, to stay
away from the packing houses today.
"No violence no crowds, no intimi-
dation." was the word the city off
cials took to the mass meeting last
night and again this morning. The
mavor and the chief told the strikers
that it was up to them-if they chose
to congregate it would mean troops
and DaEOneLS.
G. W. Reed, the negro leader of the
strikers, pleaded with his men to fol-
low the advice of the mayor.
Strikers Fear Troop Call.
"If the troops come in" the black
leader told his audience OF men and
women. black an1 white, but whites
predominating, you know what it
means. 1t means that likely some of
them will be killed and some of us
will be killed and we will lose the
strike. It's up to you men"
The men cheered Reed and prom
ised to obey. Then they gave Mayor
Burton. union labor mayor of Kansas
City. Kan, a rising vote of thanks.
This morning i. W. J1mmerson OF
East st. Louis arrived here from a
conference with the packing house
union officials in Chicago. He con-
ferred with union leaders, who met
him in Kansas City. Mo, and was ex-
pected to take charge of the striker
forces or at least act as general cOun-
selOr.
This morning the Kansas court of
industrial relations met again, and lis
tened to the testimony of workers and
plant officials as 10 the causes which
led to the present walkout and the
manner of calling the strike. Mem
bers of the court planned a trip to the
packing houses today to see for them
selves what conditions were.
But Little Interference.
While plant superintendent off
cially declare that the interference
with operations has been slight, other
packing house officials privately ad-
NIT that there was little beef killed
yesterday. The Armour and Swift