The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-06-06
CON TRACTORS issue
STATEMENT PRAIS|NG
GOVERNORS ACTION
Give New Version Of What Hap.
poned to End Strike At
Capitol Building

G. M. Norris, vice president Of the
Lundotf -Bicknell Co., Chicago, gen.
eral contractors for the new North
Dakota state capitol building, in q
statement Tuesday said there have
been SO many rumors relative to the
settlement of the laborer's strike that
it seems necessary to advise the pub
lie as to what actually took place at
the preliminary discussion in the
governors office and the events lead
ing up to it,"
The remainder of the statement
said:
AT meeting held on the afternoon
and evening of May 3lst between the
laborer's representatives and the con-
tractors, no progress was made and,
as result, an early settlement of the
differences seemed very remote. The
outlook was discouraging and 1t ap-
peared that a long -drawn-out con-
flict was in prospect.
THE next day representatives OF
the contractors were summoned to
the governors office and were asked
to describe what had occurred at the
meeting held the day before. After
giving the governor this information
the contractors were asked upon what
terms they would sign an agreement
! After these terms had been outlined
to the governor, he stated that he was
very much distressed over the violence
which had occurred and the delay.
in construction due to the strike anc
that he would use his best efforts tt
effect a reconciliation. He expressed
himself as being hopeful that ar
agreement could be reached that day
so that operations could be resumed
upon the following morning. The
strike was not settled at this meeting
nor was any reference made to fav-
orable publicity for the governor IT,
due to his efforts, settlement was
reached.
Letter Had No Effect
when the contractors attempted
to work the job while the laborers'
strike was in progress with the re-
sultant rioting, this move was not in
stigated by q letter from Governor
LANCER to the Lundoff -Bicknel COM
pany requesting action in completing
the building as has been rumored.
From q contractors view point, the
strike was proving to be q costly
affair due to the fact that our over
head expense was running on while
the Job was idle and that further
more. the demurrage charges for ma
terialS on the cars at Bismarck, which
could not be unloaded, were proving
to be heavy. Some of the skilled
workmen were becoming impatient to
get back to work and We, therefore,
decided to attempt to resume opera
tons. This decision was reached
prior to receiving the governors let
ter and we were, therefore, not in
fluenced In the slightest extent by
this letter. We believe, however, that
any owner OF q building under con-
struction would, under the same cir
cunstances, have written similar
letter In order to speed settlement Of
the strike.
I'VE wish, at this time, to reiter-
ate that our only interest Is to con-
struct the North Dakota state CAPT.
tol building to the best Of our ability
and in the shortest possible time for
the people Of North Dakota. We do
feel, however, that Governor LANCER
handled the settlement of this strike
in a business-like, forceful manner,
protecting the interests Of the state
and its workmen to the fullest ex-
tent. Had it not been for his inter-
vention, the Job would still be in
turmoil and further violence to life
and property might have occurred"