[D0327AAO], Letter from Pinkerton's National Detective Agency to Thomas Alva Edison, October 20th, 1903
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D0327AAO
Transcription
Thomas A. Edison, Esq., Edison Laboratory, West Orange, N.J. Dear Sir:- G.W.C. reports: West Orange, Monday. Oct 19th 1903 I arrived at the Edison Works at 6:45 A.M. and went on duty at the side gate on Lakeside Ave. Shortly after arriving five delegates put in an appearance. They lined up on the sidewalk opposite the gate and one went up the road a little way, stopped a toolmaker and tried to persuade him not to go to work, saying if he did not quite and join the union he would have t get out, as they were sure to win, as if the company did not give in this week the polishers would go out on strike any time they wanted them to. The toolmaker said it made no difference what he said, he was going to work just the same. Then the delegates stopped a new man who was going in. They called him over to the other side of the street and tried to keep him out, but it was of no use, and when I walked over they let him go in. About 8 A.M. twelve of the boys in the packing department went out on strike, but their places were filled before noon. During the forenoon one of the delegates came up to me and said everything was coming out all right for the polishers were sure to go out when they said so and he thought they would have them go outside this week. During the afternoon I saw very little of the delegates. Occasionally one or two would walk up and down by the gate, but they had nothing to say. At 6 P.M., the delegates having left the vicinity of the works. I discontinued for the day. Yours truly, Pinkerton's National Detective Agency. by Robt A. Pinkerton Reported, New York, 10/20/1903