Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-07-19
THE LOCAL STRIKE
SITUATION | ! ! ! | 4 QUIET
Men Are Not Returning to Work.
Yard Police Arrested on
Assault Charge

:,
ged. The men are all sticking very
closely to their organization, and there
has been no assertions from the ranks
The strikers meet every morning at
the Odd Fellows Hall and consider the
situation. Groups of the men may be
seen watching the progress of the
paving at the east end and discussing
the situation thruout the day. Pickets
watch the approaches to the yards.
The officers of the strike organization
are trying their best to maintain Or
der in their ranks and avoid any con-
f1icts which may give the company
an excuse for the importation of SOL
diers. They realize that any overt act
by any of their members or sympa-
thizers will be used against them with
the state authorities.
What men have been secured to
work in the places Of the strikers are
closely guarded. There are some COL
ored men among them. Even the en-
gineers are not permitted to go thru
the roundhouse. Some Of the local
men first employed as guards have
quit their jobs and their places have
been taken by men from the outside.
The railroad officials claim that they
are getting what help they need most
urgently and will keep the trains run
ming. Neither county nor city have
put on any special officers. The local
authorities do not think any are need
ed Both Sheriff fBonde and Chief of
Police Westgaard have assured all in
terested that protection will be given
to persons and property should neces-
sity arise, and any one breaking the
law will be dealt with regardless of
| who he is.
The sweeping injunction issued ag
! ainst picketing, by Federal Judge w.
F. Booth in line with the Taft deci-
sion in the Truax case is the most
drastic ever issued in the Northwest.
It is made applicable to Willmar in
common with other cities on the Great
Northern in Minnesota. Unless truce
is patched up the consequences may
result in very serious tie-up. Govern
ment by Injunction is coming right
home to US, and the predicted attempt
| to destroy the rights of collective bar
gaining by labor unions as we know
them through the medium of the La
Dor Board may be at hand.
! The situation at Willmar is merely
incidental to the nationwide struggle.
The men here have cast their lot with
their fellows all over the country and
will stick by them. On the other hand
the local railroad officials have no
choice but follow the orders of their
superiors and do their best to keep
transportation going. A local adjust
ment is impossible. The situation will
necessarily become tense at times. It
is therefore to be hoped that locally
at least cool heads will prevail am
ong the men and officials and as little
provocation be made as possible that
may lead to overt acts.
| A regrettable incident occurred last
night on the ROAD near the coal chute
-Four strikers-Ed Monson, Frank Nor
man, VIM. Swenson and Oscar Wal
quist were in conflict with the yard po-
lice, Fred Nolan. The stories told
by both sides are conflicting The men
claim that they were held up at the
point of gun while on the pavement
of the state road and searched for
weapons. The police claim that the
men were inside of the company's
right-of-way arguing with guard and
| Nolan came up and ordered them off.
The police also claims that he had no
gun but used his billy to punch the
men in the ribs with.
The men swore out complaint this
| morning against Nolan and Sheriff
Blonde served the warrant. Mr.. Nolan
appeared in municipal court shortly
afterwards and waived examination
to the charge of assault in the second
egree. He was bound over to the
grand jury and was released on the
furnishing of 5000 on bail.
The Tribune Printing Co. carries
in stock typewriter paper for every
800 -sAA