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TROUBLE AT THE FEDERAL
Published by the BONNE TERRE REGISTER, Bonne Terre, St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. April
28, 1905.
Operations at the Federal Lead Co's. plant in Flat River have been suspended temporarily on account of some existing trouble between the company and its employes.
It appears, from the statement of Sup't. Fitzgerald, that it has been impossible to secure a sufficient number of men for underground work and that it was deemed necessary to bring in Hungarian laborers. Quite a number of Huns arrived there last Thursday but when the Company attempted to put them to work the other miners resented what they termed an intrusion and trouble began.
A committee waited on Sup't. Fitzgerald and demanded that the Hungarians be sent back, but this he refused to do. A strike followed and the situation remains unsettled.
Threats to drive the Hungarians out were made and, it is reported, attempts to do so on the part of the disgruntled employes, but the Company protected the foreigners, and when Sheriff Croke arrived upon the scene he immediately gave out the word that all violence, destruction of property or lawlessness of any kind would be resented. The Sheriff also interviewed the Hungarians and when he found them desirous of leaving the place afforded them the necessary protection to take their departure unmolested.
In a district like the Lead Belt such labor disturbances are to be expected but it is safe to say that Sheriff Croke will, as shown by his action on the present occasion, enforce the law fearlessly and impartially. Employers and employes may disagree but neither should be permitted to resort to violence or lawlessness. This point must be maintained.
Sup't. Fitzgerald and the miners have issued statements and an anxious public awaits final developments.
