Canton, N.C., March 3—Approximately 300 men returned to work at the Champion Fibre Company mills here today on a non-union basis, according to a statement made by officials of the plant shortly after the pulp section was opened at 7 a.m. No disturbance marked the entrance of these men into the grounds of the mill, though a small number of strikers were picketing the gates. Company officials said the majority of those returning were former employes, although a few new hands were included.
v No excessive demonstration was made by the picketers. Reuben Roberson, general manager of the plant, returned last night from Raleigh, where he conferred with Governor Morrison. He had no statement to make today. Major Gordon Smith, military officer representing the governor, is watching the situation closely, though there were no indications of an outbreak today. Mayor Kerr of Canton and Andrew Sumner, chief of police, were on duty early this morning and are prepared to meet any emergency. John F. Cabe, sheriff of Haywood County, is ill at his home, but expects to be at Canton tomorrow.
The plant normally employes 1,300 men. Union officials said that fully 1,000 men have been organized and will not return to work under present conditions.
Officials of the plant said that they expect to open other departments as conditions warrant. S. Ed Launier, international vice-president of the Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers, and W.R. Smith, representing the international Brotherhood of Paper Makers, are on duty with the union.
The strikers are protesting the open shop and seek recognition of their unions. company officials recently granted a restitution of the 1923 scale, but declared the plant will be operated as an open shop.
From the front page of The Franklin Press, Macon County, N.C., Friday, March 7, 1924
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