The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-06-01
TROOPS ARE CALLED
TO KEEP ORDER IN
STRIKE AT CAPITOL
Adjustment Of Labor Difficulty
Looms After Action BY
State Executive
COMPROMISE MAY Be MADE
Wednesday Conference Ended
in Failure But New Par
ley Is Planned
COMPROMISE MAY BE MADE

ley Is Planned
Martial law was declared today by
Governor William LANCER at the site
Of the capitol building as negotiations
vent forward with the contractors to
effect compromise with striking
common laborers.
Technically the entire city of Bis
marck is under martial law, with the
military authority superceding the
civil authorities.
Governor LANCER said, however.
that the military functions would be
restricted to the capitol building site
which is the area directly affected.
Acting Adjutant General Brocopp
said that, while the entire city is un-
der martial law, no effort will be
made to interfere with the civil au-
thorities outside of the capitol
grounds or with the courts unless
trouble develops. He said for the
time being the effect of the martial
law order will be to keep troops sta
toned at the capitol site.
The governor called the contractors
to his office Thursday morning and
urged compromise be effected with
the strikers. He promised martial
law to prevent harm to persons or
property.
Martial law took effect at noon,
with about so men modified under
the direction Of Acting Adjutant Gen.
eral Herman A. Brocopp. Martial
law Is declared within the corporate
limits of the city Of Bismarck" to
continue until further order. but men
will be stationed only at the capitol
site.
Brocopp said Company K at Dick
lnson and a machine gun company,
H, at Jamestown, have been ordered
70 stand In readiness for call
Resume Work Friday
It was indicated by a reliable
source that work on the capitol
building will be resumed Friday
morning A meeting with labor un-
ion representatives is scheduled for
Thursday afternoon when the COM
promise offer discussed with the gov
ernor will be placed before the work.
ers.
A suggestion made at Wednesday
nights conference. it was learned
Thursday, was that the contractor
grant an advance Of five cents an
hour and the capital commission grant
further raise Of five cents an hour,
making a total wage Of 40 cents.
This could be done, 1t was contend
ed, since the contract between the
commission and the contractor is flex-
ible enough to permit both sharing in
any increased costs ordered by the
capitol commission.
It was further indicated that the
strikers are expected to accept the
compromise.
The contractors at Thursday morn
ing's meeting told the governor they
would be agreeable to giving the strik-
ing common laborers an increase In
pay. The strikers are demanding q
raise from ~ CS11LS w ~ Cc1AV0 dAA
hour for common laborers.
At the conference with the governor
were G. M. Norris. vice president Of
the Lundoff- Bicknell Co., Chicago,
general contractors for the building,
John M. Davis, superintendent Of con-
struction, George Madsen, sub con-
tractor, and Warren B;cknell.
The governor told the group he
would not tolerate any rioting, injuries
or disorders. The sheriffs office, It
was learned had appealed to the gov
ernor for national guardsmen II work
Is resumed.
Pickets On Job Again
Picketing at the capitol building
began this morning when truce that
had been in effect between the strik-
ers and contractors ended. Labor un-
ion representatives met with the con-
tractors until late Wednesday night
but failed to arrive at an agreement.
Following that meeting, 1t was indi-
Gated that the truce would be consid-
cred as ended.
About $50 pickets, armed with clubs,
patrolled the construction site Thurs
day as the strike extended well into
the third week. The strike began
May is.
The governors order, issued to the
adjutant general, headed "proclama-
ton declaring martial law" states the
civil authorities are unable to MAIN
tain order as result Of the strike and
have requested troops.
Officials said the effect Of the mar
tial law order will be chiefly reflected
in the use Of national guardsmen at
the capitol building site and will not
affect the city Of Bismarck otherwise.
Those participating in the negotiations
that led to . decision to resume work