Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1907 — DOCK STRIKE IS EIDER [ARTICLE]

DOCK STRIKE IS EIDER

Men Go Back to Work Under the Conditions Against Which They Struck. “OPEN SHOP’ WIIB THE FIGHT Interest Now Centers in the Trouble On the Measabe Range. Companies Will Start Their Mines and Expect Trouble—Petriella Makes Some Charges Which Are Promptly Denied. Duluth, Aug. I.—-Shortly before 2 p. m. yesterday the ore dock workers who have been on a strike for recognition of the union and a raise in pay voted to return to work. Neither of the issues raised by the men was granted by the Duluth, Messabe and Northern railroad, and the men returned to work with their status the same as it was the day they voted to strike. All of the employes are taken back by tlie company without prejudice, and the pay they have been receiving under a verbal agreement with the company which would not have expired until Oct. 31 next will continue. It Was Back Down or Lose Jobs. The strike lasted about two and a half weeks, and was one entirely free from any disorder whatever. There were numerous conferences of the strikers, and at three of them letters setting forth the position of the company were read. The ra|lroad officials adopted a kindly tone in this final letter, stating that they were willing to treat with their men individually or by committee on an open shop basis, and the men, realizing evidently that unless they accepted the terms offered by the company they would not be able to get back their old jobs, voted to return to work. Situation on the Range. The news of the ending of the dock strike was flashed to Eveleth, Hibbing and Nashwauk, the three storm centers of the mining region where trouble might originate, and the news was received there with rejoicing. Everything at these points was reported quiet. A report received here from Eveleth stated that the Adams-Spruce mine, a large steel corporation property. would start operations today. The settlement of the dock strike has paved the way for a resumption of mining on the range, and while the steel officials will proceed to do business they are apprehensive of trouble as soon as work Is begun.