Evening star., 1928-11-10
KENOSHA c. Of c.
DEMANDS INQUIRY
Grand Jury Probe of Labor
Dispute in Allen A Mills
Sought.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
KENOSHA, Wis, November 10.-A
grand jury investigation was demanded
by the Chamber of Commerce today
TO clear the good name of Kenosha
from the stigma that has come through
respect for law"
Petitions circulated by the chamber
among Kenosha's $4,000 population and
addressed to Circuit Judge E. B. Belden
called for jury inquiry into kidnap-
ings, shootings, bombings and other
outrages which have occurred since la
bor trouble developed at the Allen A
knitting plants early last Spring.
Twenty Bombings UnsoIved.
Twenty unsolved bombings are among
the crimes the jury would be asked to
Sift. One of these bombings damaged
plant of the Allen A company; an
other was directed at the home of the
district attorney.
The Chamber of Commences active
entry into the case was described by
President Ralph S. Kingsley as an eco
nomic measure to prevent the loss of
business by the city.
IT do not know who or what is re-
sponsible for the situation" Kingsley
said, but I do know we must clear the
city's name of the crime stigma or the
community will suffer further financial
loss"
The Allen A trouble developed last
Spring wheA the company ruled that
che employe should tend two knitting
machines. Union employees objected,
holding that there should be one en-
ploye to each machine. There followed
the strike, or lockout, the employees
sticking to their demands, the company
remaining firm in its decision.
Many Watch Situation.
Although only about 300 employees are
involved, the situation has gained ma
tional significance, the outcome being
of particular interest to other workers
similarly employed and other mill
owners. There have been several hun
dred arrests made during the course of
the trouble Many of those arrested
have been freed without court action.
Numerous others have been fined for
diSorderly conduct. A hunger strike
by two young women held in Jail was
Cne part of the police picture.
Twenty-SiX former employees of the
Allen A Co. are now serving short sem
tences in the Milwaukee House of Cor
rection for violation of a Federal in
junction obtained by the company to
prevent interference with the plants
operations. Several court cases are
pending, one involving charge of kid
naping.
Probe Plea Is First.
Despite intermittent agitation, today's
action by the Chamber of Commerce is
the first civic step taken to bring the mat
ter to climax. The city adminiStra-
ton, as embodied in the city manager,
has been charged by the former en-
ployeS with favoring the company. A
move to change the city manager plan
of government was beaten at last Tues
days election.
A change of police chiefs has been
made since the trouble began, but
Chamber of Commerce officials assert
that as yet there is no sign of any per-
manent halting of disorders without
court action such as they now seek.
Stoning and egging of employees and
former employees have taken place dur
ing the months of the breach. The AL
len A continues operation, reporting the
employment of 1900 men and women,
working under the protection of watch
men employed by the city and county.
The former employees have established
headquarters, which are under the di-
rection of Louis F. Budenz of New Jer-
sey. representing the workers natioral
rganization.
The Allen A. Co. manufactures under
ar and hosiery.