[D0327AAI], Letter from Pinkerton's National Detective Agency to Thomas Alva Edison, September 24th, 1903
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Title
[D0327AAI], Letter from Pinkerton's National Detective Agency to Thomas Alva Edison, September 24th, 1903
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1903-09-24
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D0327-F
Microfilm ID
188:675
Document ID
D0327AAI
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
Has Version
Transcription
Thos A. Edison, Esq.,
Edison Laboratory, West Orange, N.J.
Dear Sir:-
O.F. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Saturday, September 19, 1903
I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M. I detailed Oprs. J.J.O'S. and G.W.C. to the lower gate, Opr. J.W.P. and I remaining at the main gate.
Upon my arrival I noticed on several poles in front of the works that read as follows:
"Attention! Machinists and tool makers at strike at Edison Phonograph Works. Users of phonographs come to our aid."
During the morning I noticed at times two or three delegates, or pickets, walking up and down the sidewalk in front of the works. They would stop every man that came along, whether he was looking for work or not. After 1:00 P.M. the delegates left the vicinity of the works.
At 1:00 P.M. Opr. G.W.C. and I went to lunch when we returned Oprs. J.J.O'S and J.P.W. went. They returned at 2:00 P.M.
We remained in the vicinity of the works until 5:20 P.M., then took the 5:40 train for New York. We then discontinued for the day.
Report of Opr. J.P.W. s incorporated in the above.
West Orange, N.J., Monday, September 21, 1903
I arrived at Edison's works in company with Oprs. J.P.W., G.W.C. and J.J.O'S at 6:45 A.M. We took up watch as follows: Oprs. J.J.O'S and G.W.C. went to their post at the side gate, and Opr. J.P.W. and I remained at the front gate loading to the works.
I noticed that during the day four delegates stopped all men that came along the sidewalk leading to the works. The delegates did not stop any of the employees when they came from the works at noon, or at 6:00 P.M.
Nothing of any importance, other than the above, occurred during the day.
We all discontinued at 6:20 P.M.
Opr J.P.W's report is incorporated in the above.
G.W.C. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Monday, September 21, 1903.
I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M., and was assigned to duty at side gate on Lake Side Ave with Opr. J.J.O's
While the men were coming to work this morning there were twelve delegates on the opposite side of the street. They made no attempt to interfere with or speak to the men as they entered. All of the four pickets went away, after the gates were closed, but they patrolled up and down the sidewalk for the rest of the day.
During the afternoon two of the delegates stopped a man looking for work, but when they saw us they let him go on. There was no disturbance of any kind during the day.
I went to lunch at 1:00 P.M., returning at 1:30 P.M., and remained on duty until 6:20 P.M., at which time I discontinued for the day.
Report of Opr. J.J.O'S. is incorporated in the above West Orange, N.J., Tuesday, September 22, 1903
We arrived at the works at 6:45 A.M. We took up our usual watch, viz: Oprs. G.W.C. and J.J.O'S at the lower gate, and Opr. J.P.W. and I at the main gate. We found four of the delegates on the corner of Valley Road & Lakeside Ave., in front of the works.
They made no attempt to speak to the employees who entered the works. During the morning they spoke to several men that came along the sidewalk; before the men reached the office I informed them if they were seeking employment to apply at the office, and in every instance they followed my suggestion.
During the afternoon the delegates would stop all men that came along the sidewalk, but, it appears, that the men they stopped were not looking for work, and passed on about their business.
In conversation with Mr. Edison he said the men were being called "scabs" as they left the works. I have instructed the other operatives to give this matter attention.
Report of Opr. J.P.W. is incorporated in the above.
G.W.C. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Tuesday, September 22, 1903
With Opr. J.J.O'S I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M., was on duty at the gate on Lakeside Ave. until 1:00 P.M., then went to lunch, returning at 1:30 P.M., remained on duty until 6:20 P.M., at which time I discontinued for the day.
During the day several delegates patrolled up and down on the opposite side of the street. They would stop every person who came along, whether they were looking for employment or not. Where such men were approached we would advise them to go to the office, and as we walked towards the pickets they would walk away. The pickets did not interfere with or molest the employees either entering or leaving the works.
Nothing more of importance occurred during the day.
Report of Opr. J.J.O's is incorporated in the above.
Pinkerton's National Detective Agency,
by Robt A. Pinkerton
Reported,
New York, 9/24/1903
Edison Laboratory, West Orange, N.J.
Dear Sir:-
O.F. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Saturday, September 19, 1903
I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M. I detailed Oprs. J.J.O'S. and G.W.C. to the lower gate, Opr. J.W.P. and I remaining at the main gate.
Upon my arrival I noticed on several poles in front of the works that read as follows:
"Attention! Machinists and tool makers at strike at Edison Phonograph Works. Users of phonographs come to our aid."
During the morning I noticed at times two or three delegates, or pickets, walking up and down the sidewalk in front of the works. They would stop every man that came along, whether he was looking for work or not. After 1:00 P.M. the delegates left the vicinity of the works.
At 1:00 P.M. Opr. G.W.C. and I went to lunch when we returned Oprs. J.J.O'S and J.P.W. went. They returned at 2:00 P.M.
We remained in the vicinity of the works until 5:20 P.M., then took the 5:40 train for New York. We then discontinued for the day.
Report of Opr. J.P.W. s incorporated in the above.
West Orange, N.J., Monday, September 21, 1903
I arrived at Edison's works in company with Oprs. J.P.W., G.W.C. and J.J.O'S at 6:45 A.M. We took up watch as follows: Oprs. J.J.O'S and G.W.C. went to their post at the side gate, and Opr. J.P.W. and I remained at the front gate loading to the works.
I noticed that during the day four delegates stopped all men that came along the sidewalk leading to the works. The delegates did not stop any of the employees when they came from the works at noon, or at 6:00 P.M.
Nothing of any importance, other than the above, occurred during the day.
We all discontinued at 6:20 P.M.
Opr J.P.W's report is incorporated in the above.
G.W.C. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Monday, September 21, 1903.
I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M., and was assigned to duty at side gate on Lake Side Ave with Opr. J.J.O's
While the men were coming to work this morning there were twelve delegates on the opposite side of the street. They made no attempt to interfere with or speak to the men as they entered. All of the four pickets went away, after the gates were closed, but they patrolled up and down the sidewalk for the rest of the day.
During the afternoon two of the delegates stopped a man looking for work, but when they saw us they let him go on. There was no disturbance of any kind during the day.
I went to lunch at 1:00 P.M., returning at 1:30 P.M., and remained on duty until 6:20 P.M., at which time I discontinued for the day.
Report of Opr. J.J.O'S. is incorporated in the above West Orange, N.J., Tuesday, September 22, 1903
We arrived at the works at 6:45 A.M. We took up our usual watch, viz: Oprs. G.W.C. and J.J.O'S at the lower gate, and Opr. J.P.W. and I at the main gate. We found four of the delegates on the corner of Valley Road & Lakeside Ave., in front of the works.
They made no attempt to speak to the employees who entered the works. During the morning they spoke to several men that came along the sidewalk; before the men reached the office I informed them if they were seeking employment to apply at the office, and in every instance they followed my suggestion.
During the afternoon the delegates would stop all men that came along the sidewalk, but, it appears, that the men they stopped were not looking for work, and passed on about their business.
In conversation with Mr. Edison he said the men were being called "scabs" as they left the works. I have instructed the other operatives to give this matter attention.
Report of Opr. J.P.W. is incorporated in the above.
G.W.C. reports:
West Orange, N.J., Tuesday, September 22, 1903
With Opr. J.J.O'S I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M., was on duty at the gate on Lakeside Ave. until 1:00 P.M., then went to lunch, returning at 1:30 P.M., remained on duty until 6:20 P.M., at which time I discontinued for the day.
During the day several delegates patrolled up and down on the opposite side of the street. They would stop every person who came along, whether they were looking for employment or not. Where such men were approached we would advise them to go to the office, and as we walked towards the pickets they would walk away. The pickets did not interfere with or molest the employees either entering or leaving the works.
Nothing more of importance occurred during the day.
Report of Opr. J.J.O's is incorporated in the above.
Pinkerton's National Detective Agency,
by Robt A. Pinkerton
Reported,
New York, 9/24/1903